Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-03-19

toned them and II he mad been more
observant he would have noticed a
strange look pass over his fathers face.
which almost seemed like an expression
of fear. He told his father all about
the accident which threw him across
the path of the De1aros, and he spoke of
Armida in such terms of praise that his
father felt constrained to say: ssYou
seem to have soft place in your heart
for this lovely creature whom you de-
scribe"
''She would soften any ones heart"
responded Eugene.
Mr.. limerick did not betray in words
any knowledge of her of whom Eugene
spoke until Eugene continued: "You
ought to see this lovely girl. She is
| the most beautiful woman ever saw,
and as pleasant in her manners as she
is beautiful in form and feature"
ssWhat did you say her name WASP"
asked Mr.. limerick, unconcernedly.
'Armida Delaro."
"Why, that is the name of a young
lady whom I met at Long Branch last
season." aid Mr.. limerick.
| doubtless the same person, for they
spent part of the season there, and I
think Mrs. De1aro said that she stopped
at the West End Hotel"
''Then she must be the same, for that
is where I met her. There was with
them an Englishman named Lowell and
a Mr.. Wilcox?"
eyes, I have heard them speak of the
Englishman," said Eugene, land Mr..
Wilcox knew very we'll myself. He
died only short time since and left
all his wealth to this Percy Lowell"
"a dead man can not have much use
for money" unused Mr.. limerick, while
aloud he added: 81 wonder what will
become of it all?''
''It will doubtless find an owner some
day." Eugene responded.
sit would be a very comfortable sum
for a poor fellow to get hold Of and
would enable him to dispense with the
necessity of resorting to vulgar labor
for the rest of his natural life," said Mr..
limerick.
Turning his eyes directly towards
Eugene's face, he asked: "What would
you do. Eugene, if you were possessed
of such sum as that fortune repre-
sents?"
Propose to Armida Delaro as first
STEP" was tho answer.
'.And if she refuse you, what them"
asked limerick.
me very little pleasure, for there is no
other woman on earth whom l would
care to marry" answered Eugene.
eff you had that amount at your back
you would not be long in finding one,
anyhow" was Mr.. Emerick's next re-
mark. Then as Eugene did not appear
ready with reply he leaned over to
ward him and whispered: 'HoH would
you like to get share of that wealth.
every we'll, if could come by it hon
estly," said Eugene.
"Come, now. don't put on such strong
moral airs, Eugene; you know that SO
long as you get it, You would not care
how you came by it,
AS Eugene heard these words he
stared at his father with fire cleaning
from his eyes and said in an angry tone;
cit is a lucky thing for me that / did
not meet my father until my morals
were formed or it would be difficult to
surmise where my career might have
led mo. If those are your sentiments
do not try to graft them into me-"
your fit of morality will pass away
in few moments; then l will talk to
you," said limerick, in an exasperating-
ly cool voice. And sure enough, when
Eugene had, as he thought, cooled down,
he spoke again: ''You know that you
need money, unless you are going to
live on your mothers means, and by a
simple act on your part you can get g
good fortune of your own"
Explain your meaning" said Eugene
''My meaning is simply this" said
Mr.. limerick. Percy Lowell, the En-
glishman, is dead. His next of kin may
never be found, and that money will be
waiting for some one to claim it.
know man who resembles Percy Love-
as much as two peas resemble each
other, and, as the money will never dc
the State any good, 1 propose that he
should personate Percy Lowell and CLAIM
old Wilcox's fortune"
Great God! What kind of man arc
youo" asked Eugene. Surely, yor
are not my father?'' lie spoke
loudly, but in English, SO thai
the by-standers did not understand
him. ''Do you expect me to take {
hand in such work as that?''
Cali that shall ask of you is tn at yor
procure me specimen of Percy Loveps
handwriting" From the manner il
which Mr.. limerick spoke, it wa.
% y