The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-04-17
Ten Minutes TO TW6lV6.
rouyr.ght by American Press Asssociatioa.|
CONTINUED.
By N. G. MCLELLAND.

Matters went smoothly, for the boys
choice OF profession fell in with her
wishes for him There had always been
physicians In the Royal faInily-some
distinguished ones The love OF healing
might be said to run IN the blood
At one-and-twenty John Royal re-
turned from Philadelphia with his dip
Iona in his pocker, and further fulfilled
his destiny by falling in love with his
cousin Phyllis, then u girl OF To- A boy
and-girl marriage was 10 part Of Miss
Royals plan for the young people. She
wanted JOHN To become u distinguished
surgeon, and as his whole heart, or
rather mind. was set on ms profession
she yielded readily TO MS wish for few
years in the Vienn;t and Paris hospitals
An engagement between the cousins was
sanctioned, and the understanding was
that the marriage should take place as
soon as, in her aunC's opinion. Phyllis
should be old enough.
Of the reasons for six years DELAY Of
his marriage, and of his residence during
that time abroad, john Royal did not
speak: they were not gernane TO the
matter in hand. His wish was to pre-
sent the mum facts OF the case and to
force upon his listener the necessity for
immediate action.
At the end of the six years news had
come of his aunt's sudden death, and
with it letter from her executor in
forming him of the terms OF her will.
These were little singular, and more
than a little arbitrary, which. however,
was in accordance with the character of
the testatrix. The properly, of consid-
cradle value and duly enumerated, with
the exception of a small legacy or two,
was left absolutely Co John Hart Royal
and Phyllis Royal us il marriage gift. pro-
vided their marriage 20 each other should
take place between the hours of II and Il
o'clock on Dec. %. 1S-- In the event of
the marriage not taking place on the day
and during the hour appointed, there
were restrictions laid upon the property
which would prove a serlaas annoyance
to the legatees; and in the further event
Of the marriage not CIkfi1yy place at al.
the entire property was to BIZ converted
into money and divided, share and share
alike, among her kindred OF Royal blood
from the first 10 the third degree. Phyllis
and John to have an equal portion with
the rest, but not a silver E1iaEes- GA selfait
of nearer kinship.
The story was given ia shoEt Sentences
with rests between to spare ghs ,;stient's
strength The energetic 5- II of the
listener grasped the situation in its en-
tirety, and his sympatEiies were nnoreE
than ever aroused. To him it appeared
terribly mean advantage to take of the
power which the possession of wealth
confers. His first FESTIVE impulse was &c
say, Let the money go to the devil,
and marry the young lady to suit your
SELF" but a glance at the face before
him sent back the words unspoken. 4
well man, hale and strong, could afford
TO assert his independence, to take his
own life and that of another into his
own hands. But when man lay dying
the case was different; he must do that
which he could, not that which he
would, to secure the future of the WON.
an thrown so absolutely upon his honor
and protection. Royals pity for the pain
grew apace, and he felt that there was
not much he would stick at to circum.
vent the misery entailed by that ''in.
iquitous Will" as he styled it in bis
thought.
Are there many kindred?" he queried.
,forgetfful that his own name might entitle
him to a position as residuary legatee.
''Legions of EN-" John Royal respond
ed irritably. My aunt had forty-five
first cousins, and the bulk of them of Roy.
al blood. I've heard her say SO scores OF
times. In the second count, God and the
census taker alone know what the tally
may be. 'Tisn't worth while even &c
wonder about the third. lisa good prop.
errY, but the sands Of Egypt wouldn't
divide up handsomely among the Royal
clan"
After a moment he went on: 81 feel
like the veriest scoundrel that ever drew
BREATH But for her determination TO
bring about this marriage my aunt
would have left her money to Phyllis.
The only thing I can do for her now is
to marry her before IL o'clock tomorrow,
and God only knows how it's to be man
aged! That cursed accidentp' His eyes
were filed with yearning pain.
The doctor smiled cheerily and looked
at his watch. Don't fret, he said; tits
bad for you. The marriage is the main
thing, and we can secure that. III take
that 4:30 train and go after the young
lady, and you can be married at once.
The conditions, whatever they may be,
must be put up with. It's a case of half
a loaf or no bread. By the way, what
are the conditioner He rose as he put
the question.
''That neither Phyllis nor myself shall
touch one cent of the money for ten
years, dating from midday tomorrow"
1.-The devil!'
''You may well exclaim" speaking
fast and bitterly. 1.-THE marriage be-
fore u o'clock tomorrow would leave
nv poor girl comfortable and cared for;
after 70, as good as pauper. And she's
helpless His voice broke
and he turned his head away.
Royal felt something hot and singing
rush into his own eyes; his heart ached
for the pain he could not mitigate.
The head on the pillow turned again;
A., ,,,,, ,o,,c,Jot RovaI'S a71naaliY1c DIV. co.