Daily Republican., 1883-11-10

He handed hsr folded paper signed
| +" Claude Lelander." 1t Was brief
spistle, stating his love for . French
airl, Of humble, though respectable
parents, their, betrothal that had taken
place several months previous, bis re.
gret for the deception he had practiced
and . request for pardon.
"Hs xpects me to forgive him, the
scoandrsl The marriage might have
overlooked to some degree, accepting 1t
az one OF the inevitables, but the
trsachery and decepti0n-never Think
of his accepting my hospitality for
three months, and playing the hyDocrite
meanwhile. But have given him his
ust deserts.
"What have you done?' faltered
Mrs. Msrnott, confused by this strange
aurn OF affairs.
al have disinherited him-cnt him
off without single penny. Every cent
of his former share has been made over
to distant relative, the son of NY wife's
cousin. sent both young men word
of the new state ofaffairs yesterday be-
fore your arrival"
Laurie had kept silent, but now she
rose and stood there with shining eyes
and flashed checks. Her fingers were
interlaeed nervously and when she
spoke her voice quivered.
81 have little confession to make
too," she said. 81 would have made
1t all the same had Claude NAMED
here willing to agree to your request. l
could never have married him because
because lam bound TO some one else
some one IL love very dearly
Laurie, you didn'1" almost
shrieked Mrs. Mernott, in her surprise.
Laurie bowed her bead cOntritely.
"Yes, mother, did, she answered.
"Did you think my love of 40 little
value that could cast 1t aside and for.
get it? Older persons may plan for and
d cta'e tO the younger, but after all,
mother, when the time comes, their own
hearts will decide"
Mrs Mernott listened with sinking
heart. She knew how easily Jasper
Lelander's displeasure was aroused, and
how stern and unrelenting he was In
his anger.
But when she turned her eyes on the
old mans face it was less severe and
darkened than she expected.
"Then you, too, intended to turn
traitor ?" he said.
II did not intend to marry cousin
Claude" Laurie answered, simply.
"It would have been q bad bargain
for you" remarked the old man, dryly.
"Who is this man for whom you are
willing to displease your relatives and
lNpx, for ha
"No, but a gentleman in every re-
spect," Laurie said. proudly. I" His
name Is Linton Perry"
Clinton Perry"
"Yes, and-and let me tell you all
Mother was not pleased with his atten-
tions to me, nor my affection for him,
and when we found We were to be sepa
rated, he, Linton, prosposed that II
should marry him the day before l
came away, and-and-"
"Go on" murmured Mrs Mernott.
Laurie made a desperate effort at
cOmposure. hut each time she ventured
to speak her voice broke with sob.
"I-I did |" she cried at last, and
then sinking upon q chair, burst into
tears.
Mrs. Mernott did not speak, only sat
there with folded hands, q pathetically y
resigned look on her face, aud the air OF
a martyr, that contrasted strangely with
the excited demeanOr of the old man
opposite.
Well, really, this is queer" said
Jasper Lelander, at last, decidedly
queer, though it is not SO bad, after
all"
"What could be worse 2" said Mrs.
Mernott, listlessly.
Worse, madam? Plenty of things
could be worse. Have you anything
against this Perry as a man %
" No, he is gentlemanly and we'll edu-
Gated" answered Mrs. Mernott, won.
dering at her relatives sudden change
of manner !" "but his circumstances
are"
Laurie" interrupted her uncle,
isn't your lover relative of mine"
:" Yes, he said so ; distantly connect
ed"
Exactly. And now, Adelaide, If
poverty is the only objection you have
to your daughters husband, be satisfied
for he is the man have made my
heir, in place of that scapegrace
Claude"
| When Mrs Mernott could fully un.
derstand and realize the matter, she
was too happy even to blame her daugh
ter for her deception, justifiable, per.
haps, under the circumstances.
And Linton Perry, arriving at Oak.
lawn few days later, was accorded a
cordial welcome from every one there.
"After all, said the old man, with
a merry glance at the happy young
girl, you have married your uncle's
heir, eh, Laurie ?"
|