Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-06-25
From Sin to COntFitiOn
Lucy WaTTiIgham,S Sacrifice.
The Story Of a HaSty Marriage and
Its Tragic Sequel.
BY ERNST BRUNCKEN,
Author of 1.-THE BibliOmdnidc's Crime, I"
"a Terrible Secret, ETC., etc.


Mr.. Walter Warringham was in an
angry mood. He was angry with him
self, with his late mother, with his
cousin Hattie, with the world in general
The last will of the late Mrs. War
bingham was the fault of it all.
Equal division between him and Hattie
BeckfOrdl That left him only yearly
income Of about ten thousand. But he
wanted more, much more.
He had no objection against making
proper provision for his cousin, either in
the form of nice round sum or even
an annual pension of a couple OF thou
sand dollars. But equal divisionl
Mr.. Warringham had debts, many
debts And now, after his mothers
death, the creditors would all be upon
him with their clamor. After he had
paid them all out Of the principal, his
income would be reduced to less than
six thousand Ridiculous! Worse than
nothingi
Mr. Walter Warringham was very
angry with his late mother.
He was angry with himself. For why
had he not exerted proper influence
upon the old lady, so as to prevent her
from committing such stupid blundersl
His cousin naturally came in for a
share of his anger. She had not done
anything in particular. but allowed her
self to be made an heiress. Walter had
a vague idea that this was unwarranta-
BILE presumption on the part of Miss Beck
ford.
The world in general, no doubt, de-
served Mr.. Warringham's anger, even If
only on general principles.
There was not much consolation IN the
fact that RalPh-who, by the way, must
have gone utterly craZy-acquiesced in
the will that left him penniless.
As Walter lay upon the sofa, smoking
cigarettes and drinking brandy-and-
water, he could only see one bright speck
in his prospects
He had been made Hattie's guardian
during her minority. For three years
he would have the management of her
property. Some way might perhaps be
found to make his by stratagem what
should properly belong to him without
any ado.
The simplest way out of the difficulty
might perhaps be to marry the girl. Not
a bad idea
Such was Mr.. Warringham's train of
thoughts, which he pursued until the
usual hour OF his appearing at the club,
where he continued the labOrious occu-
patton OF lounging with the ease of one
who has long been accustomed to such
arduous pursuits.
Ralph Warringham's unexpected re-
fusal to contest his mothers will in court
had made the settlement of thu estate a
comparatively easy matter. The late
Mrs. Warringham's affairs. were in ex-
cellent order, and when, after a very few
weeks, all the necessary legal forms had
been gone through, the two heirs found
themselves each in the possession of an
estate that would yield yearly income
OF $4,000.
Miss Hattie Beckford accepted the
No. Al NalNs
to her lot with very great equanimity.
After the earthly remains of Mrs. War
bingham had been inferred with all the
pomp due to her social eminence, Hattie
had accepted the invitation of a relation
in q neighboring city to take up her
abode with her. There she lived very
retired, as beftted one so lately be-
reaved and as best suited her predilec-
tions. For the deep sorrow she had ex-
perienced had made lasting impression
on her mind and she had become IN
usually thoughtful for one so young.
AS far as Walter was concerned, he
had taken lodgings at a hotel The
great house that had been the Warning
ham residence for so many years stood
empty. The window blinds were closed,
the door-bell had not been rung for
ever so many a day, and the place be-
gan to exhibit that air of melancholy
decay which characteriZes uninhabited
houses
Walter intended to sell the property as
soon as he could with advantage. He
needed cash.
OF his cousin he saw and heard very
little. The two had never cared much
for each other. Even when she was a
little child Hattie had always preferred
TO play with the elder of her two big
cousins.
Mr.. Walter Warringham was, there
fore. little astonished when he found
in his mail a letter from Miss BeckfOrd,
stating that she would arrive in the city
on the noon train tomorrow. She was
coming on business, the letter expressly
intimated.
What business could the girl havef
Probably she wanted money. What 4
borel Walter thought of the long list
of creditors he was pestered with, and
on the scarcity Of cash Then he rung
for the waiter. and ordered a small bottle
OF champagne.
With yawn he took up the letter once
more At what hour was she to arrive?
Twelve o'clocki What a bore. He wonld
have 70 get up early in the morning to
meet her at the station Confound these
women folki They are always bother
ing = fellow
Then Mr.. Walter Warringham drank
bis champagne and went over into The