The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-08-28
TO have plenty of people about me.

the more the merifer."
Dollie Larayne was one of her espe-
cial pets, and spent considerable
portion of each winter with her.
Marine Farney was a recent ac1uaint-
ance. who had by chance accompanied
some transient visitor.
The Delormes were connections
through the marriage of the amiable
spinsters only brother. She was
greatly attached 10 them all. and they
were frequently her guests.
Mrs. Delorlne and her two daughters
were still sitting in the quaint little
parior just as the indignant son and
brother had left them.
Miss Farney had not returned from
a morning drive; their hostess was
experimenting some domestic matter,
aud there was nobody TO interrupt the
family conference.
That Dollie Larayne is the cause of
AthOrs obstinacy. Only for her we
could manage him well enough"
Maudie pouted.
"Well, she naod not imagine she
will ever be Athors wife; | wouldn't
listen TO such thing Mrs. Delorme
asseTIeu, WITH tHelSN.
Il have quite set my heart on
Marine; she is so docile; she would
always do everything exactly as we
like" said Kaihie, land she is so mod
est; she never boasts about her money;
she only alludes to it sometimes in an
unassuming manner which is very
charming"
How fortunate it was we happened
to discover she was the heiress. No.
body else here dreamed of such Il
thing" Maudie yawned behind her
pretty Spanish fan.
Well" said Mrs. Delorme, Il have
made up my mind TO speak 10 Miss
Larayne. She leaves here in day ar
two. and if she understands how we
feel that will end her interference"
1t happened just then that Dollie
tripped up the steps aud entered the
hall alone.
Athol had remained behind. He
was at the side entrance assisting Miss
Farney to alight from the carriage.
My dear, l have something of
much importance to say to you" Mrs.
Delorme began in a tone of affected
kindliness as she drew the dainty fig
ure across the threshold of the parlor.
She did not mean to be rude or
cruel. but she uttered in that moment
words which a little later she would
have given worlds to recall.
And the lady seemed alike aston
ished and distressed when Dollie sud-
denly dropped into chair, her lovely
face white as death. and two big tears
slowly creeping down her tender
cheeks.
do YOU mean you regard me I'M
worthy of Athol?" She said family.
oh. we haven't thought about that
at all, you know" Kathie interposed
loftily.
1T is only quite impossible you
should ever enter the family" Maudie
chimed in haughtily.
You see, we have higher aims for
! him." Mrs. Delorme continued, land
| of course no man in his senses would
really choose a momentary fancy in
stead of a fortune like the Nestor
millions"
''Oh!' gasped Dollie.
At that moment Athol. followed by
Miss Farnev. entered the room.
At the sight of those grieved tears
he stepped TO the side of his beloved
and drew her toward him proudly.
loyalty. as if he would thus protect
her against the world.
What have you said to trouble
herP' he demanded. with an indignant
glance at his mother and sister. Dol
lie Is to be my wife, and whoever
harms her can hold no friendship OF
niue"
For n moment Dollie gazed proudly
at her loyal lover and then. clinging
TO him shyly. laughing aud crying TO-
gethcr. she revealed the amazing fact
that she, and not Marine Earney, was
the hciress of the Nestor millions.
Even their hostess and Miss Farnev
had been ignorant of the truth, and
the latter had only tacitly accepted an
honor that had been forced upon her.
The three ladies bitterly repented
their mistake. and lovely Dollie was
too happy wife not to pardon their
error.
Dollie's husband beloved and adored
as he is. looks grave when he reflects
what might have happened had he not
chosen true love as more precious than
the Nestor millions. ]. Paper.