The morning call., 1890-06-13
MARCHHARE'S WILL.

HnF there hadn't been a touch Dwell to put Il
~ mildly-a touch Of eccentfleily about old john
E2 Mdrchnare, he would hardly have made such
Asever al years before the vessel in which lie was
returning from the West hides went down al
sea, with nearly all on board. John MAJ chhaFe
was picked up by one Of The boats, and cllnglng
10 a little gIrl-a meGe child-whOse life he had
saved, willie her relatives aud all who knew her
were among The lost.
From tie little stranger thus thrown upon his
care he did not turn away. She was too young
10 give any account OF her parents or family
ard all subsequent efforts 10 discover her KIN
aIed OF iiom whence she came proved frutless
John MarcLhare adopted her and look her 10 his
home and heart.
do as lie would with his handsome fortune; and
II pleased him that II should go 10 his adopted
daughteT-'pToylded, SO ran tae Will Inat II
my SAID adopted daughter should marry curing
The lifetime Of my b. other, Edward Mafchhafe,
Mhom | 4 ereby constitute her guardian, without
The approval OF my said brother, then the fore
going requests and oeyises shall become void.
and my whole estate shall go 10 my said brother"
1his was an eccentric will; but. We have
alIeady said John Marchhare was an eccentric
man.. 1t is easy TO see that 1t was left TO Alice
Marchhare. as she was called, the threefold
choice of accepting husband OF her GUARDIANS
selection or remaining single during his lifeline,
or Of loiIeIing her fortune. That 1t was thus
made tile interest of EdwaId Marchhare TO op-
ose any match that might be offered 10 Alice
was a point that probably did not occur to the
tesJatOr, or more likely stlll, he knew his brother
better than to suppose that sordid motives would
ever sway hlm III fulfilling trust committed 10
his conscience.
Ahce rad barely reached wOmanhood when
her benefactor died; but when II was known how
John Machharc's will read and the power it
gave his bI other, suitors swarmed about the
young lady aud her guardian, and II was hal d 10
tell to which they were The most obsequious.
George Preston had not waited for the publica-
ton Of john MaTchhare's VIII as the signal for
filling In love with Alice, as several others had
done, IN spite Of her beauty. Tie tlulh Is, he
nad been in that state as far back as lie could
AL. A mr. M m
reader know, bad always liked George
But when George Preston asked MIR. Edward
Marcbhaie's permission TO tender his hand 10
Alice tile old gentleman shoot his head.
Have you home TO offer ber?' he asked,
-'or means 10 support ber?" he added be-
lore George, in his confusion, could ind an
answer.
perhaps" be continued, giving the young
man no lime 10 recover himself perhaps you
think Allce's fortune sufficient for boIh Now,
whether she shall have one or not
IL is question have never stopped to ask"
broke IN George, Indignantly.
:" Whether she shall have fortune or not"
said Mr.. Marchhare, dsregardlng the Interrupt
lion, depends on her not marrying Ia my life
time in opposition 10 my wishes; and shall GEL
willing to be dependent for a living on the boun-
" Of his wife"
You much mistake me-" cried George, with a
flushed face, "f you rank me in that class. l
nave strength and energy
but as yet they are untred," said Alce's
gua dian, without waiting Tor him to hnlSh. " l
turn In three. FEARS the possessor OF $4,000 saved
from your own earnings, and IL Alice then
consents 10 hear your offer shall not oppose
H."
Georges face frightened A much seyerer
ordeal would not have daunted him. And
when he look leave OF Alice, though there
was 10 formal plghiIng Of troth between them,
he had 10 mselvlng lest the end OF three
years should not find her faithfully waiting his
return.
The allotted time had nearly gone by before
George, after many struggles ana hardships, had
succeeded in laying up the sum which entitled
him To appear and claim OF Marcnnare Tie 1ul-
nllmeut Of his promise.
AT a railway station, the last stopping place
on his journey home. lie went into the refresh.
ment-room for supper. He had not half finished
The scanty repaSI when the sound OF tile bell
aud the summon OF The pOrters caused general
cOmmolion and rush for the train. George
caught up his OveIcOat and followed the rest.
On reaching bis destination he was about to
draw on his overcoat pIepaia tory to leaving the
carriage, when for the FIRST time he discovered
tie garment he had brought from the supper
room was not his own. 1t was similar In color
and material but the attempt TO put It on at once
revealed the difference. He was thunderslruck
:. inc discovery. In a secret pocket OF his own
coat was the bank-note which had Cost him thr ee
years Of anxious toll, and which represented so
He ran wildly among the dispensing passen-
gers, looking sharply at every man he met, as
though expecting 10 find upon him the object Of
his search, but all In vain; II was nowhere to be
seen.
With a vague purpose OF advertising every
where and telegraphing in all directions, he was
hurrylng rapidly along, when whom should he
meet but Mr. MarcnhaTei
Poor Georges first greeting was to blurt out
his loss.
~ am very sorry" said the old gentleman
grayely; but you know my conditions, and
Win respect TO their ful1.lment IL seems you are
Just where you started"
Give me but another chancei l can earn
double as much In the same lime. will work
night and day 10 do i'll" cried George.
Your time Is up oday," said Mr.. Marchhafe.
aud have promised my old friend, Mr.. Wells,
In tile event Of your failure that his son Law
renee may pay bis addresses TO Alice 10 morrow.
The young man, though well enough is some
thing OF Top, and doubt If Alice will listen 10
his suit. Still, my word is passed. All, here he
comesi Shall Introduce you?'
"StgoD thiefi stwop thiefp shouted fiashy
looking youth. rushing forward and seizing
George by the collar
What do you mean?" exclaimed George,
dashIng aside tbe hand so rudeiy laid upon him.
What's the matter, Lawrence?" asked Mr..
MaTehlaire, astonished al The proceeding.
Matiah? Maitah enough. i should sayi
Why. that's the fellah that stowle my cwoatl
There II Is DOW on his arm"
Come, comet Mistakes will happen some.
tim, o." interposed Mr.. aiarchhare.
MistwakeI" sneered Lawrence Wells
Yewy likely misIwake, seeiug mines twice the