The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-09-13
HE STOOD THE TEST.

HE STOOD THE TEST.
"Who ever heard Of such beastly
provision ?" Valentine Thompson was
saying, savagely :" I tell you, Stephen,
won't marry the girl If l never inherit
a ashilling of Uncle Hsrvey's money.
don't propose to be victimized merely
for the qualification of an old mans
whim, and it's nothing but whim you
know very well-some cranky notion
he'g, got out of his everlasting novels
"Steady, my boy" his Cousin Stephen
observed, with a quiet twinkle IN his
eye. "Perhaps you wouldn't consider
yourself victimized II You were to see
Miss Lulu. BY Jove, Val, a fellow
might be proud OF such a wife,"
mot II he had been coerced into
marrying her." was Val's hot-hesded re-
loinder. "That is one thing in which
/ will lot brook interference. shall
marry whom I choose. 4 may as well
say so first as last"
Stephen whistled softly to himself for
few nome nts, and then ssid:
You absolutely refuse compliance
ia that what ] am to understand
Rather than marry Uncle Harvey
proteee, you will forfeit your prospect.
tive inheritance, eh I"
Exactly" replied Val, with scorpful
indifference. "When you go back tt
town you can tell himso."
"Don't be too hasty. my boy" Ste
phen remsrked. "Hadn't you bette
see Miss Lulu before you make up you,
mindr'
"No," Val answered, without hesita
tion. "The conditions attending sucl
marriage would make it disaPreeabl,
under any circumstances. But I sav.
Stephen, Won seem 10 have been quite
struck with Miss Welwyn; why don,
you marry her yourseltP"
Stephens face flushed slightly, and
he moved uneasily in his chair.
"Oh, I'm a confirmed bachelor, VAL
he said, with an awkward laugh. q" You
know | am not marrying man."
That is no reason why you shouldn't
become one," Val sa'd, stoutly, quite
carried away bY this new idea. "You
could bear her of in triumph, and I've
no doubt Uncle Harvey would be all
the better satisfied il you were to be
her husband. I'm kind of scamp,
you know; but you, my dear Stephen,
are man of responsibility.
"Thanks; no, Val r. Stephen said, in
his dry, humorous way. "You know
never did get along with the women.
and I'd sooner be shot than court one !"
Nonsenser Val answered, enthusi-
astically. "Tll help you. Nothing
easier, Stephen"
Stephen shook his head.
"That's one of the things in which
there can be no cooperation, my dear
boy" he observed.
"That's what inexperience says"
Val rejoined. rPll prove the contrary.
Just let me see Miss Lulu. I'll make
you the burden of my praises. I'll paint
you as little god on wheels. I'll
extol you to the skies, till you present
yourself to her mind as hero of
romance. Young girls are very suscepti-
BILE to that sort OF thing, Stephen.
just say the word, and I'll open the
campaign at once"
"She won't have me, VAL" Stephen
said, but he was obviously wavering,
and his cousin came down with several
other reassuring arguments which won
him over.
"If really thoughtshe would marry
me-" he said at last, 81 might ask her.
But swear, Val, I'd sooner walk up TO
cannon's mouth than have q woman
say No to me-"
"Follow my advice" Val answered,
confidently "I'm an old stager,
Stephen, For the present. just Won go
back to town, and tell Uncle Harvey
that you have concluded to take the
contract off my hands By Jove You're
brick, Stephen. You'll save me from
penury, my dear fellow, for I swear /
wouldn't marry Miss Welwyn under any
consideration, though have no doubt
she is an angel"
"You will go down to Redner right
away thenP" Stephen inquired, when
they were parting.
%To.morrow," Val replied. and he
kept his word.
The next day at noon he found him
self in the little library at Welwyn
Woods, chatting with his hostess and
one Of the prettiest girls he had ever
seen. Val was connoisseur in beauty,
too.
"Your uncle told u.s." Mrs. Welwyn
observed, cordially, "that your Cousin
Stephen might be down with you. ]
am sorry he couldn't come"
"He hopes to get away after awhile, u
Val replied. "At present he is so en-.
tangled in engagements that he hasn't q
moments leisure. never saw such
vitality as his. He is perfectly indefati
4ehIe. though i know there isn't an