Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-12-13
1NHERITING A WIFE.
THE IDEAL

Goodbye, Helen said the young
man, with a flush of anger on his
handsome face, as he turned from his
uncle toward the pale girl standing by
the window.
Good bye, Frank, she said, list
lessly, proffering him slender white
hand.
He took the hand, and, bending
over, lightly touched her forehead
with his lips.
She raised her head to address him
with forced effort, and be was gone
The young fool thinks he can defy
me, said Mr.. John Duncan, angrily,
but with love and pity rising to his
kindly gray eyes as he bent them up
on Helen.
The later was the rich old mans
adopted daughter, and in her seemed
centered all his happiness. She was
his idol, and he had planned to make
her his heiress, or that she should
share all he had Of this worlds goods
with Frank Duncan, his nephew. But
this latter contingency was to be that
these young people should have his
fortune together only as man and wife.
Helen Morley had been an orphan
ever since she could remember. She
had endeared herself to cid Mr. Dun
can by her sweet, unselfsh life and
her devotion to him as her benefactor
She and Frank had been thrown
much together, as matter of course,
and old NJ. Duncan, as he looked at
his favorite nephew's handsome, ami
mated face. and then at Helen's sweet
oval picture, framed by her mass of
bright hair, when the two were to-
gether, declared to himself that they
were made for each other, and that it
was plainly the work of Heaven that
they should be thrown accidently in
each others way.
But he had just now serious mis-
givings whether or not Heaven had
anything to do with such young
scapegrace as his nephew.
He had just received terrible shock
and he was stirred by anger, disap-
pointment and pity for his fair Helen.
Then, too, he was placed in so deli
cate osition that he hardly knew
what to say to her. He had no as.
surance that Frank had ever spoken a
word of love to this girl.
But he can't defy me with impu-
nity!' growled the lrate uncle, as Hell
en- had not replied to his first remark
about the young gentleman in ques-
tion. i will not leave him farthing!
I will make new will! He shall be
a beggar for all he'll get from mel
continued John Duncan, stamping his
foot fercely.
oh, father!' said Helen, appealing
ly. Nv hat has he done to anger you
soY
Done?' shouted the old man, fairly
exasperated by this question, forget
ting for the moment that Helen did
not share his news, and therefore in
dignant that she should not join with
him in condemning the young mans
heinous crime. Done?' he repeated,
in rising tones Of freshly kindled an.
ger. what hasn't he done?' Upset
my plans! Destroyed all my happi-
ness! Tells me he's in love with that
French girl, Elise Courtois, and that
his happiness, his very life depends
upon marrying her! And he has the
effrontery to ask my approval OF such
ridiculous stepp
The old man paused only at sight
of Helen, who had sunk pale and trem
bling upon a sofa. Her delicate fin
gers were interlaced, and there was
look Of such unutterable pain in hel
face that even Mr.. Duncans anger fec
before it.
Then with q sudden thought his an
ger rose again, and he demanded