Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1882-08-05

ty by il"
Mai. Palmer was forced to confess that
he didn't think it likely No one who
had ever seen the cold, still, dispasson
ate, totally selfish beauty of Elizabeth
Palmer could have suspected her OF any
such weakness.
"I know" said the Major, "that she
would give her right hand to marry Bill
Davis, but -"
"But she wouldn't give $4,000"
"No; She's fond OF him-very fond
of him-but she has sense with it and,
what is worse, thinks that she will only
have to wait a couple Of years TO see mo
turn my toes up; then she'll marry
whom she likes, aud have tho whole pile
to herself. Cac't get ahead of these
women. There Isn't any such thing i'll
the book"
Notunless you come to life after she
matries, and object to her choice
"By Jove Amos, l believe you hit
it. Can't fix that?"
"What do you mean ?"
"Go off and leave viii get some
fellow to swear I'm deud let her marry
Davis, and then turn up unexpectedly
aud raise thunder with the whole
thing"
"Too risky. It might pay to let on
tl'nt you are dying, and trust to luck for
her TO anticipate your death. You
iUight lie unconscio,lH--nun compos
mcrtis. or something Of that sort--for
few weeks, nnd be uuaile 10 say my
thing about the marriage. Then, just
before The CEREMONY, ypu cnn get we'll
enough to express nh opinion aQ"inst it,
and, by virtue Of your guardianship,
claim i.at she has forfeited all right to
The estate. She ncellu't lear of it,
though, ill tlie Knot is fIrj.
''Cen THAI he rut thrnuGl legally ?"
Yes, l'v t,ie aid Of little money |"
"It win ho worth five thousand dollars
to yuu if ynu can do it.
can try ii, any how"
"Aults, you re trump You and
were always good friends, even when |
used 10 lick You at school: and we ought
20 give each other u lift whenever we can
--eh p
Yes; 7 will do ali cen. It will be
% slippery business, but think can do
it,"
"Goodl Let MS have glass of
brandy and water ON it. My hand
isn't very steady this morning, and I
n"e,i !itLlo something 70 regulate my
nerves."
4 few d,ys sitter this, Cyril Palmer
informed his sister that he felt Every
Queer." ard was g,'iag to New York to
consult physician. Ho had been threat
eped with an attack of mania potu,
ena she naturally supposed that, as he
stiii drank exec siveiy, this tendency was
returning. It is huniliating to nay hui
maujt.rian instincts to be obliged to con-
fess that her only Thought was of the
probability Of her speedy scquirement
of her own liberty and her brothers
sherH Of the property.
A letter from the city-received fort
night later, and signed by q somewhat
celebrated, though unscrupulous, medi-
cal practitioner-conveyed her news of
the Majors severe and perhaps danger
ous illness. She was warned that he
might not live but a few days longer;
save his nurse aud physician just then,
she must hold herself ready to visit him
al any time.
She immediately began making prep
arations for her marriage, as privately
as possible. with young Davis. who had
squandered his own wealth, aud desired
to squander that of the Palmers.
Before long, another missive from the
doctor announced that tire Major lay in
a state of apathy, unable to recognize
any person, aud evidently beyond the
reach of science. III his sister wished to
see him alive, she had best come at
once. She did so, for the sake Of the
worlds opinion, and found him in bed,
in darkened chamber. apparently un-
conscious. In period of previous lu-
cidity he had arranged Ill lis affairs,
and left her sole heir to and mistress OF
the entire property.
Once assured Of this fact, the young
lady lad no hesitation in prosecuting
her plans. Amos Maxwell showed her
the greatest friendliness, and finished by
advising her to marry young Davis, ii
she wished imnneliately.
"You will pardon me, Miss, he said,
" if speak plainly. but it is my habit.
No one had greater regard for your
brother, the Major, than !. We were
fast friends from boyhood, though our
paths differed widely. But he is now
gone, as far AS practical results are con-
cerued, and do not see why his preju.
dices should be respected, when they are
Of such an unjust nature. / have often
tried to reason him out of his dislike to
Mr Davis, bu' in vain. l drew up his
testament, and can assure you that, .,
the lnomeat Of his death, you will l..
entirely iYce iii this respect. Now, z
you wait till then, it will seem in baA
taste to marry before you have left o.: