The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-12

called Fletcher, same name ~ uncles.
Old coincidence. isn't ity'
Come said Mr. Fletcher, pcrcmp-
torily.
After dinner, instead Of trying to get
his usual nap, Mt Fletcher sat in his
easy chair, evidently in very excited
frame of mind. lie seemed undecided
what to do: he fdgeted about with one
book and another till at last he threw
them down. and called out Maitland
Yes.
Let me see the letter that precious
nephew uf mine wrote YOU. You haven't
destroyed H. ! could see well enough
that YOU were only trying to screen him.
lie said could have read 1t II II had
not been torn up
II have it, it's true" replied Matt
land, but ! cant show II you without
his permission
"fIe gave it.n
But | told him thought had de-
stroyed it,"
Very well. IL you don't show II me |
shall conclude the worse; it's clear you
would let me see u in n moment If II
was fit tO I've seen. Fred had better take
care; he knows that he IL my heir, but
he doesn't know how near he is to hav-
ing his expectations disappointed. I'm
afraid he lisa scamp, and II will he a
bad job for him If he cant conceal the
fact a few months longer
Maitland did not attempt to defend
Dexter: both his conscience and inclina-
ton were against such n course. lie
knew that hc was, In spite of his adj
Yantagcs, a loose, Enthusiastically and
selfish fellow. and he had strong rca-
sons for hoping that his succession Ia
Mr.. Fletcher's money might never be-
come fact.
The old man seemed inclined to talk
tins evening. lie turned himself round
TO face Maitland, and said who is
Amy Fletcher
She is goycrness Ut the Kestcrtun's."
why Who got her the place.
~ did replied Maitland, looking
rather guilty
"H-m' You seem to take consider
able interest IN this young lady. Has
she any money!
None whatever
Then who paid for her schoolngp"
Her father left enough Ia cover most
of the expense
And YOU supplied the rcstYn
Maitlaud's look was enough 10 con-
denim him
Its nice romantic story" contin-
ucd the old man; when do you propose
tn marry herr
Nlll 1 kllNhs lfIllfl Allt NollIlU
doctor; perhaps not at all"
You mean She doesn't care for youY"
mo. don't mean that; but | am in
a very peculiar position In regard To
her.
what is the popularity
DO you ask me TO tell your
Yes; why nOty'
II didn't like to do so without your
asking mr directly. | have reason to
believe that she may be an heircssn
Il don't see why that should stop
YOU
No, perhaps not; though people
would doubt my sincerity in proposing
to a girl 50 rich rs she may become
lit is very odd that AN heiress should
be Il governess.
"She doesn't know who she is,n ex-
| planned Maitland. II am the only one in
the world who does know. Suppose that
| | ask her hand-she may accept Inc; af-
| forwards she discovers that she is very
| rich; what will She think of me; Them
| She will judge me to be the most des-
| picable man in the world"
"Why not tell her she is an hciress
and then pr0pOscr II she loves you,
| the fact that she Is rich will only add IL
her willingness to accept you"
IL cannot tell her, because she may
never be So
Mr.. Fletcher looked puzzled. There
is more in this than you tell me, Matt.
land, he said You've treated mt
of pleasure rather than of gain, and in
| countless ways ran counter to his faith
er's lifelong maXims. Quarrel follow
ed quarrel. the fact that he loved his
son SO well only made the father more
bitterly resent the want Of affection and
respect with which lac WAS treated, till
one day the crisis arrived.
Mr.. Fletcher had determined that his
son should marry early, hoping by this
means to make him settle down. ii,
informed him of his wishes accordingly
| pointing out that he intended to make
his future prospects depend on the prop
rcty of his selection. Charlie postpon
ed the matter us long rs possible, unit
ut last confession became inevitable
lie was married already.
This put Il stop to all hope of recon
CiliatiOn; there was violent scene, dur
ing which the father refused to recOg
niZe the marriage, and told the son II,
must shift for himself This Charlie
said he was quite ready to do, and tina
his father need not fear any application
for assistance from him. Ii money mad
men behave like his father, the less h
had of it the better.
A year aftcrward Charles Fletchc
died In Paris. Ills father refused evel
to make inquiry rs to his wife, but wa
informed shortly aftcrward of her deaf
also by paper sent to him from som
unknown quarter. lie said nothing I
any Of his friends, but his health grad
ually broke down, and from being a n
bust, active man he became in tn
course of years AN invalid. A secOn
attack of paralysis was the immediat
cause Of Maitland's last visit, and II
one knew better than the patient tina
his days were numbered.
"Ah well! he used sometimes 10 sa,
Il don't want Ia live, and several pee
pie want me to die -the majority ougl
to have their WISH