Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-06-25

evening, ne lOSL SoNerdi nunuIeu oOidrS-
He was still in the same misanthropic
mood as the day before, when he went
to the station the following morning In
order to meet his cousin.
He took her TO the hotel, and, after
both had had luncheon, expressed some
curiosity as 10 the nature of her bust
ness, which was so important that 1t
made her personal attention necessary.
She was very willing 10 enlighten him
on that point.
%AIy conscience is troubling me-" Hat
tie said. Il think I am really very
wicked, wicked girl But then il was so
soon after poor auntie's death, and
could hardly think of anything. So
Just said yes 20 everything"
The thought of her dead aunt filled
the girls eyes with tears. She brushed
them away with her pocket handker-
chief
Walter looked bored. What in the
world was the girl driving at? What
had she TO be troubled in conscience for?
He suggested that she might properly
come TO the point.
but since l have become calmer. "
Hattie resumed, Il have been thinking
it over. am really just like thief and
a robber. What right have TO all that
money!"
Walter in blank astOnishment stared
at the young lady who asked such an
unheard-Of question Was she crazy?
Did she really mean ID resign her for
tune in his favor? Anything might be
expected from a silly girl with her head
stuffed full OF romantic notions
Il do not understand You, Hattie, he
said.
Miss BeckfOrd eagerly replied: @Why,
am not robbing poor Ralph? Does il
not all Of right belong 10 him2 1 think
it is my duty to give ii all to the right
full owners"
Walter still stared at her, but his stare
was now expressive Of Indignation
@NonsenSei" he exclaimed harshlY, al
most rudely. @WhO put that foolish
notion into your head?"
Nobody put il into my head, and
| don't think il is a foolish notion.
mean TO do right, the girl said, little
| testify, for she resented the tone In
which Walter had spoken
Let me tell you that Ralph has nj
more right TO your money than the mar
in the moon"
why, Walter, is he not your brother.
/ Should he not share equally with yOu?'
@He has been disinherited. and prop
/ erly so, by our mother, because he ha.
| disgraced himself and the family"
%Walter, you should not speak thus o.
| Ralph; he is your brother, whatever h'
may have DONE
brother or not. it served him right
| Besides, Mr.. Warringham added, sneer
/ ingly, @he always said he wanted TO earl
his living. Now he has a chance Il
do So"
4For shame, Walterl" The girls eye
flashed. ~But 1 am Resolved TO restor'
to him what is his due, and therefore
came to you"
~NOnsense!" Walter, in his exaspera
ton, now forgot all show of politeness
~You don't know what you are saying
| Throw away fifteen thousand a year a
if it was nothing"
at is mine. L can do with it whateve
please"
SCan you?n Walter replied with
sheer. 81 think not. Not for som
time. Have you forgotten that you ar
still minor, Hattie? Not a cent of
can you dispose of without my consent.
Hattie was silent for a few moments
She knew too well that Walter spoke tn
truth.
%But you will surely not withhold you
consent in this case? L only mean to d
my plain duty.
Il will most assuredly withhold m
consent"
at can be Indifferent to you whethe
1 am rich or poor"
at would be against my duty, as you
guardian, to allow you to commit such
prepOsterOus folly. You are acting Xix
child, on the spur of the moment
After short time you would blame N
for having permitted your quixotic bt
havior, and you would have a right I
| hold me responsible"
While Walter spoke he assumed
tremendous, fatherly dignity that locke
most ludicrous, considering the sma
difference in age between the two.
81 am not acting on the spur of tn
moment. 1 have thought it over delibe
ately and come TO the conclusion that
have no moral right to the possession {
RalDh's fortunes
@Well, you will have to carry this loa
on your conscience as long as have an
authority over you"
The girl knitted her brows. Than
God, that will not be forever"
Walter laughed. after you are twel
ty-one years old you may give yoI
money to whOmsoever You like, he SAT-
but added in his thoughts: %You wi
have changed your mind by that time,
if not, will find means TO change it. "
Hattie BeclCford stayed in the city on
q few days. She called on a few friend
and once met Jack Spofford on the stree
She had not seen him since the funer
OF Mrs. Warringham.
Jack had been of exceeding service I
her during the dark time after that ia t
: full day in September. In the tremen,
GUS grief over her dead aunt she ha
forgotten the embarrassment which Il
. afternoons cOnvers alton might hay
east over their future intercourse. tt
matter had never since been alluded L
Jacks delicacy would not allow him
press his suit while she was in mourn
ing. But they correspondent diligentl
and every line of his letters testified
the love he felt for her. although
never spoke of it. He was overJoyC
when he met her on the street.
AS for her, she felt a sincere, friend
regard for the generous fellow. 81
marrying him! She would not think
it. She was resolved to remain III
married for life. Her love belonged
} one who was far away, and could nevC
be hers. For him she was resolved
sacrifice even what most people sacrifC
everything else TO obtain She WOu
only reserve enough for herself to les
modest life in quiet retirement.
CHAPTER XII
WAS IT A CRIME?
1