Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-11-23

selfish fellow, and he had strong reasons for
hoping that his succession to Mr. Fletcheris
money might never become q fact ,$5#
The old man seemed inclined to talk this
evening. He turnsd himself around to face
Maitland, and said: s.Who is Amy Fletchsr?'
She is governess at the Kestertons. ="
Why? What got her the placer"
8 did" replied Maitland, looking rather
s.H-m! you seem to take considerable in
terest in this young lady. Has she any
noney?, - i - ',......' 49,. T.. =,
s s'None whatever" # ~. H.. 49,. ~
'sThen who paid for her schoo!ing?"
Her father lett enough to cover most OF the
s.And You supplied the rest?" -.
'Mait)and's look was sufficient to condemn
him. T.s-? - ...rs tg> >rt.<.>'5 Z
TITS nice. romantic story" continued the
old man; ''when do you propose to marry
:, II don't know" replied the young doctor
perhaps not at all. y
You mean she doesn't care for you?"
''No, don's mean that; but am III very
peculiar position IN regard to her."
"What is the peculiaritv?'
''Do you ask me to tell your"
eyes; why not?"
II didn't like to do so without your asking
me directly; L have reason to believe that she
may be an heiress"
81 don'tsee why that should stop you''
'No, perhaps not: though people would
doubt my sincerity.in proposing to girl &C
rich as she may become.'
Its very odd that AL heiress should be a
goyerness."
s'She doesn't know who she is" exclaimed
Maitland. II am the only one in the world
who does know. Suppose that ask her hand
--she may accept me; afterward she discovered
that she lis very rich; what will she think os
me then? She will judge me to be the most
deapicabe man in the world
''Why not tell her she is an heiress, and then
propose? If she loves you. the fact THAT she is
rich will only add to her Willingness to accept
vou."
II cannot tell her, because she may never
be So"
Mr.. Fletcher looked puzzled. 'There is
more in this than you tell me, Malta nd, he
taken a liking for you and for the girl, too, for
that matter I should like to help you if !
can, and feel have done one kindness before
it is out of my power to do any. How did you
come to have this girl on your hands?"
Il knew b er father and mother very we'll.
They died abroad within s. few months of each
other. was only very young man then. as
you may imagine; but they left me in charge
OF their only daughter, then scarcely moro
than an infant. Ny mother brought her up;
when she was old enough she was sent to
school, as I told YOU"
This simple recital interested the old man
more than he cared to show. He could not
SIS her grandfather alive?"
eyes," was the reply
''Why does he not support her?"
''IIe does not know Of her existence. BE
quarrcled with his SOD, who went abroad and
died there telling me never to let his father
know that he left child I have kept the
secret till now''
'sYou may as we'll finish the story, low you
have gone so far" said the invalid, falling
back in his chuir. "What WAS her fathers
name?"
'sCharles Fletcher"
s'My son?"
eyes, YOUR son."
''Then Amy is my grandchiid.
Maitland assented.
s'She does not know lt?"
mo; she is not aware of the existence of any
relative. Your son made me promise she
should be kept in ignorance of her relationship
to you. / shall never tell her."
'Ihat will do for tonight. I am tired and
excited, my head aches abominably. I will so
to bed"
Maitland came down stairs as soon as he had
seen his patient attended to. He too felt ex-
cited and feyerish. He determined to take a
stroll in the cool evening air. His object had
been accomplished: he had made known to his
patient the existence of his granddaughter
Would the result answer his expectations. If
SO, what would it be his duty to do?
He was still revolving the matter in his mind,
trying to look at it dispassonately as an out
slider, and failing miserably, when he heard
himself accosted.
''Hullo, Haitland, I thought T recognized
you. Gorgeous night isn't it? Are you in a
hurry"
81 must get back soon" was the reply.
F'I'll walk with you if you don't mind. The
truth is I've something very i'm portant to tell
131,aro Ia tow. ifn
''Well," queried Maitland.
''You know that Miss Fletcher who is COM
panion or something at the Kestertons? I got
talking to her tonight pretty confdentially,
and somehow happened to ask her the name of
her father. You might have knocked me down
it was Charles Fletcher. You know who he
was, suppose?"
''Mr Fletcher's son?''
'sJust 50. Sweet news for me, isn't it? I've
always supposed myself the only relation
the old boy has, and he has told me times
enough, that Pm his heir. Now if he hasn't
made his will l shall be in hole, for every
thing will go to this girl"
''She does not know about it, does she?''
"No, thank goodness! No one knows it but
ourselves
"Wby have you oonfaed in me?" asked
Maitland.
s'There you are, you see," exclaimed Dexter.
81 hadn't decided whether to tell you or not,
when suddenly you appeared before me, and
that settled IT. 1t seemed providential"
''That's scarcely sufficient reason for your
action, Pm afraid"
mo, by Jove! you're right To. tell the
truth for once, I wanted to find out if the old
boy has made will, and thought you were
the one most likely to know. Then it struck
mo it was quite possible you might discover
the secret without my help as know you are
o friend of the Kestertons and acquainted with
this girl"
''I've known it long time.'
"Have you though? My instinct was right.
Did my uncle know that Charlie left q child:"
mo; he wished it to be kept secret"
"Well," said Dexter, after few moments
deliberalion, 'Im not so safe as I should like
to be- 1t seems to ne I've only one course
open to nue., which will ensure everything turn
ing out all right"
what is that?"
II must marry Amy"
Maitland gave a start. <sMarry Amy!" he re-
peated.
eyes. Why not? I must get engaged as
soon as possible When my uncle dies, if he
has left mo bis property, can break off the
engagement if l want 10 without much diff
Guilty; and if she gets it all for want of a will
I must press forward QUE marriage You see
I'm showing my confdence in you in telling
you my plans beforehand. as I take it fol
granted you mean to let Amy know who she IL
after my uuclo's death, unless he leaves every
thing to me by will"
You are quite right" replied Maitland
stifHy. He had recovered his calmaess now
and had need Of it all to restrain himself. Il
certainly was my intention to let her know.
do not promise you l shall not tell her ct once
in order that she may have an opportunity O.
urging her claim"
"Oh, confound it all, Maitland, what gcof
will that do? Let it stand as it is for time a
any rate. Give q follow chance You see
as 1t is, I can make love 10 her rs a man with
good expectations. aud she's only poor gov
my chance? No, you must let matters stant
for week or two"
Il won't promise anything now" replied
Maitland. Il shall see you tomorrow, ane
will tell You my decision then"
He turned away without even saying goot