The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-08
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Olu MI. AICHcT WAS oCNCNSA ~AN~SS
player and an expert, at that. He held
chess to be the only game fit for gen.
tleman. There were few of his acquaint-
ances who could cope with him, and but
one of them who could match him fair
ly. That was James Bittles, his lawyer
1t was close contest between the two
first one ahead and then the other
Bittles stood high at the bar, but he
mainly won and retained Archer's con-
fidence by his ability as chess player.
He was barely 40, and Archer maintain
ed that by the time he reached go he
would surpass all those around.
Archer had daughter his only
child. Her father had married late in
life, and ten years after the birth of the
girl her mother had died. Lefty held
place in his heart next to chess itself. A
bright, lively and pretty girl was Lefty
Archer, and she would be an heiress to
something over million. Her father
feared she would become the prey of
fortune hunter, and endeavored to avert
it by the provisions of his will. He neg
lected to execute his testament, how
ever. until Lefty was nearly twenty
years old, anda spinster still. 1t was none
too soon, for the week after he died sud-
denly Of an apoplectic fit.
When the will was opened it was found
that Bittles was named sole executor and
constituted guardian of Lefty until she
was 81, and trustee of all the estate, real
and personal The conditions of the
trust were that, if Lefty married with
the consent Of Bittles, the trustee was
to turn over to her all the property on
the day of the wedding, and so long as
she remained unmarried after 81 to pay
her the rents and the interest as they ac-
crued; but IL she married without his
consent, she was to receive only FIVE
thousand q year. and the residue of the
estate beyond that necessary to secure
this payment was to be conveyed to a
third party or her heirs. This third party
was described as:
Catherine Sinclair, daughter of Cor
don Sinclair, now or late Of the city Of
Baltimore, and the state of Maryland, if
she be still single; or, If she be a married
woman, then to the said Catherine Sin
clair, by whatever name she may be now
known, to her and her heirs forever"
A further provision was that in case
the said Catherine Sinclair, by whatever
name she might be known, was dead,
and had left an heir or heirs, the proper
ty over and above the reserved amount
In the contingency mentioned was given,
devised and bequeathed to him, her or
them. Who Catherine Sinclair or her
father was, Lefty could not tell, nor
could the lawyer, but it was suggested
that 1t was,t an early fame Of Archer's.
Some thought that the possible legatee
was mythical, and brought forward to
scare Lefty from making on inaprudent
match But the power of Bittles in the
matter was as absolute as pen and ink
could make it.
Bittles proved himself to be vigilant
guardian and a careful trustee-guard-
ing his ward against adventures, and
managing the estate with prudence and
vigor. Everything went well until about
ten months after Archer's death. Then
the current of affairs rippled a little.
Lefty and Bittles both fell in love-Letty
with Carter Cooke, a young man who be-
longed to what, before the late war, was
known as lone Of the first families of
Virginia and Bittles, in spite of his
forty-one years, with Lefty, who did not
care snap for him, looking upon the
middle aged bachelor as venerable per-
son, and bestowing her heart upon his
younger rival. Love is like the measles,
and if we be attacked with it in middle
age, the disorder assumes an aggravated
form. Bittles' had very severe attack
indeed.
Lefty might well be excused for recip-
rocating the feelings of Carter Cooke.
The young man was not only by blood,
but by culture and associations, gentle
man, with no censurable habits, and
with polished manners. He had well
proportional figure, as well as pleasing
face; and he did not even drop his rs, as
20 many of the tidewater Virginians do
He was well liked in New York, where
he spent about half of the year; and
though not by any means fifth as rich
as Lefty would be, was possessed of a
handsome competence. Bittles pro-
nounced him to be a fortune hunter, and
frowned upon his suit, really because it
interfered with the one he wished TO
make. Lefty was not Of an age to re-
feet on the serious consequences of her
guardians disapproval, and, had she
been. her cheerful temper would have
led her to optimism. Then Carter Cooke
was skillful chess player, and Lefty,
who had been taught by her father, was
about as expert as he, which strength
ened the bond between them.
The wooing went on in spite of the
frowns Of Bittles, and the latter began
to show the bitterness of defeat. This
was seen when the young lover, with
Letty's consent, made formal proposal
to the guardian for the hand of his ward.
"No. sir; decidedly, moi" replied Bit.
ties. II have nothing against you per-
sonally, Mr.. Cooke. Your responsibility
is undoubted; but do not consider you,
nor will any one else, match for Miss
Archer in fortune. have examined the
statement your counsel laid before me,
and find you have barely four thousand
ayear, while the property of my ward
yields twelve times that amount, most of
1t in real estate that is rising in value.
should be false to my duty If approved
or the match under such circumstances"
VERY good, sir, retorted Cooke. "Far
be 1t from me to say that disappointed
pretensions of your own prompt your
refusal. will admit that it is a mere
sense OF duty, if that admission pleases
you. But ] am authorized by Lefty to
say that when she arrives at the age of
q, should your consent to our marriage
be refused, we will marry without IL.
That will be the next move on the board.
Mr.. Bitltes."
"You are playing costly game, sir"
"Not at all, sir. At all events, shall
call on the bishop to capture your queen, /"
replied Cooke, good humoredly, and
bowed himself out of the Office with
mock courtesy.
When Lefty heard Of this positive re-
fusal, In spite Of her avowed contempt
for money, she was disposed to be down.
cast. But Carter whispered to her Sc
cret, proverbially dangerous thing to
do to woman, and Lefty, after look
OF establishment, burst into a ripple Of
Elvery laughter.
oh, you dear, delightful Carter" she
acclaimed. "Who would have thought
i'll"
ana Lefty renewed her laughter, for
sne secret seemed to her the most comical
thing in the world.
bitties did not desire at all to exact
the penalty; but he did very much de.
sire to break the disagreeable connection.
But how? Lefty went into soc;atv ,,,d.-