Daily Republican., 1888-03-20
AN OBSTINATE LOVER.

NlOllC1 W do HULL bub hhO mon
she loved she had not seen In three
years. Frank Duncan was her adopt
ed cousin, tnd 1t had been her fathers
wish that they should be married.
Frank, however, had been infatuated
with young French girl called Eslie
Courtois. For a time after he was
sent away from his unclc's house in
disgrace for his refusal to wed Helen,
he had sought all over Europe to
find Elise, who had mysteriously dis
appeared.
When they finally did meet it was
not much like lovers, for she drew
away from him In surprise at his efIu-
siye greetings.
"Iiave you forgotten everything 2"
he asked her, sadly. "Did you not
receive letter from mo the day l lett
my uncle's house ?"
"Oh, yes; l received your letter.
and one from your uncle about the
same time, in which he informed me
that you were no longer his heir but
"a beggar," said the young woman,
laughing aloud.
GOOD heavens, Elise can II be
that you are mercenaTy, then 7 did
not thing
mo; suppose you thought l could
marry beggar just as well as not, and
continue to work at millinery tor my
living, and for yours, too, perhaps 2"
said the girl, lightly.
"Elise, hear me. II ia not too late.
My uncle, am sure, has not cut me
off in his will. viii you not return
with me, and for the sake of the past
let me call you my own Elise-my
wife?"
"Hush," said the girl, warningly,
| as man approached, 81 could dc
nothing of the kind. Let me present
you to my husband. M. Fennel.
| And TO his intense disgust and NOR
Utilization Frank found himself The
next instant in the embrace OF viva
cious and voluble Frenchman.
| The new view of the lovely siren IN
iher coarseness and her mammon-wor.
ship, together with this presentation
OF heavy vulgar man, past middle
lage as her husband, formed comb.
nation of circumstances that com
Ipletely dlsenamorcd Frank Duncan,
and he fed precipilately as soon as re-
leased from the mans clutches, amid
peals OF laughter from the giddy
French girl, and cultural adieux iron
her male companion.
Old Mr.. Somers sat in his dingJ
little law office, scratching his cal
with his pen and glanclng occasionally
tai a letter he held In his hand.
| The letter was from Frank Duncan
land informed the lawyer that he,
Frank Duncan, would call upon him
lin day or two on business relating tc
his deceased uncle's will.
1.-THE young scamp must not know
that Helen is the possessor of the old
mans estate. He will be counting heI
for her money, and he doesn't deserve
such a.girl, any way said Somers
with growl. "And worse than all
TO think John Duncan has fixed 1t II
such shape that-but I'll deceive hin
a llttle.'
The grufi old lawyer had in {
sense taken Helen under his carr
since Mr.. John Duncan's death, ant
watched her welfare with jealous
|, eye: so when Frank presented him
self, he said brusquely:
"You are cut off without q cent,
young man, and you deserve It,"
Frank colored, hut felt the justice o
the rebuke; but he ventured:
"And Helen-Miss Morleyr
"0h, she is provided with a moder
ate annuity. The rest goes, believe,
to some nstitution-ahemI" said tn,
lawyer choking little at the lie.
"Thank GodI" said Frank impul
sively.
| "Aheml That's all right, younG
man. But you must be aware tina
your past conduct doesn't recommend
you very highly. speak plainly, fol
Helen Morley is my ward"
Frank WINGED under this lash, bu
all the same he was resolved to bear i
in silence, for the scales had falleI
from his eyes now, and he remember
ed trifling incidents in their lives
Helen's and his own-which led hin
10 believe he had thrown away
pearl. He would seek 70 recover |
again, and was glad that the impedi'
ment OF money did not bar the way
He knew full well that his foolish in
fatuation for the gay, superficial Elsie
which he had mistaken for love
would prove formidable obstacle;bu
with youth, repentance, perseverance,
and an earnest devotion to his purpos
he hoped to win Helen's esteem first
and afterwards, perhaps, her love. .
"Confound the young scamp-he'
got good points, after ALL" growle'
Somers. .
i, And so Helen thought when the OF
q lawyer told her about it, and made he
understand how difficult it would b
to keep Frank long in ignorance OF tn
, provisions of his uncle's will.
Three months are brief measur
: of time as the ages roll onward, an
: yet three small months are sometime
so crowded with events bearing di
rectly upon our lives, that years
( aye, an age, are as nothing in compal
isOn.
Three months q penitence, of Ut
obtrusiVe devotion to Helen, OF evi