The Republican journal., 1885-07-09

UPON Will TelIltlS luuSt Ut lOuuu.
The safest thing would, of course, be to
make love to Miss Nelly she is rather
'thirtyish' and altogether not very at
tractive; still, if she were to get all the
money, she would be anything but un-
| desirable
So Mr.. James Fox set to work at once
| to make himself agreeable to Miss Brown,
| yet without going too far; for he had by
no means forgotten Miss Laluerton, but
/ he felt it was better to have two strings
| to his bow, and therefore he determined
te do his best to keep Miss Nelly in good
| humor.
| This lady, however, was not so easily
| satisfied as the solicitor expected, for
| now he had once begun to pay her atten
| tions. she wanted a decided offer of
marriage, and not being able to get it,
| she took refuge in a stratagem. This
consisted in suddenly making tie discov-
cry that Mrs. Johnson's health was
in fact. she decided that il was quite
dangerous for her to spend the spring in
England, with all the changes of heat
and cold
The old lady was, therefore, soon per
suaded to yield to such tender solictude,
and away the couple went leaving Mr..
James Fox in rather awkward dilemma.
What was be to do? If he wrote cool
letters to Miss Nelly, she would be
| offended, and all his chances would be
lost in the event Of her inheriting Mrs.
Johns0n's property on the other hand,
if he played the part of a lover, he com
mittcd himself, and gave her the mater-
ais for a breach Of promise case should
the good lady die when his name only
figured in her will, and should he then
turn his attention to Miss Laquerton.
What, then, could he do
The worthy Fox was batfled for the
moment, but after deep deliberation, he
hit upon a great idea which his chemical
studies suggested to him. Chucklng 10
himself, he went to a chemists shop,
purchased several drugs. and mixed and
remXed them till Il magnificent black
ink was produced, which had the grand
advantage that in about ten days after
being committed to paper, it would fade
away, WithouJ leaving the slightest
trace.
Embodeued by the happy result of
his experiments, he became at once the
most tender and jealous correspondent
any woman could wish for. His letters.
i'll fact, ovett0wed with promises of
everlasting devotion. Miss Nelly beam
ed with joy: for she was now convinced
how true and unSelish was the attach
ment Of her admirer.
Under such circumstances, it was not
surprising that the German waters
speedily did Mrs. Johnson 50 much good
that her careful nurse considered that
the cure could be shortened, and accord
ingly the couple returned to England
much earlier than had been expected.
Whether, however, the waters had real
y disagreed with the old lady. or some
thing else had upset her. was never quite
clear. bur soon after their return to Eng-
land, her health and strength began Sc
iiously to fail. She complained bitterly
that Miss Nellie had induced her to I'M
dertake an unnecessary and useless Jour
neN. and that ever since she had neglect
ed her altogether.
The end Of it Was, that one day, in the
height III her anger, She burnt the then
existing will, and made Mr. James Fox
her sole heir to everything she possessed.
This decision seemed to have exhausted
her remaining energy, for she died not
many days after.
Mr. Fox, who had been apprised Of the
almost lost his senses with joy; still his
excitement did not prevent his investing
some money in batbands and Grape, and
looking rs mourntul as if the SORROWS of Il
Whole world rested upon his shoulders.
Miss Nellie too, almost melted away
in tears, and could only be comforted by
cher Jamie" as she now called Mr. Fox.
But lhe latter seemed to have turned
quite dull with grief He did not appear
to understand her at all, and day by day
as she became more administrative, he
grew less atftctionate.
The afternoon before the funeral, Miss
Nellie was extremely broken hearted, and
amid her sobs remarked how comforta-
bic and happy she had always been with
her late dear friend. To her astonish-
ment, Mr.. Fox attempted to comfort her
10y saying with cool civility, II hope you
may soon meet again with such 4 happy
home as You have had here until now"
On hearing this, Miss Ncllie's tears
suddenly dried up, and with eyes diated
K.
'lt is You whom expect to make me
this happy home !"
Mr.. Fox, however, simply shrugged his
shoulders, saying:
u do not deny that may have once
had such ideas, but Of late have grown
wiser. Everything alters in this world
why then should not our opinions do the
same That is what we call progress"
| pom this he bowed and left Miss Nellie
crying and tainting in an arm chair.
He did not hear anything Of her till
few days later, when a gentleman called
upon him. saying that he had been in
trusted with Miss Nellie Browns affairs,
and suggesting that perhaps Mr.. Fox,
before matters went further, would prefer
making some private arrangements about
his breach OF promise Of marriage with
his client
"And what proof OF promise has Miss
Brown, except her saying 50 ?" asked
Mr.. Fox.
CON- answered the young man, II
have seen box full OF letters from voun
"lIaye you read them ?" continued Nj
Fox. sarcastically.
"Not yet replied the other, "but
nave seen lnt DON.
"Well, You had better go and read
them first, before you take any further
steps, and if you can find single line
| from me to Miss Brown, | am willing to
let her have ample damages without their
being awarded by a court Of law"
| There was something so diabolical
about Mr.. Fox that the young defender
of innocence found it best to retire for
the present, leaving his opponent to rub
his hands triumphantly and build castles
in the air about the country seat and the
horses and carriages he was going to buy
| in order to dazzle Miss Iaquerton, whom
he felt justified in seriously thinking
about.
Miss Nelly had meanwhile been in
formed of the conversation at Mr.. Fox's
| office, and, with an indignant eXclama-
ton about "such incredible untruths,"
she went to fetch her letter box. There,
sure enough, were the letters, all in little
packets, neatly tied up with blue and
| pink ribbons; but, strange to say, she
could not see an address; and, oh, heav-
ems when she undid the packets they
contained nothing but paper--all white
paper without single word on it, The
| willy lawyer had evidently deceived her
| |