The Wahpeton times., 1891-04-30
THE FALSE HEIR.
.
WHY DID HE MARRY HER?

WHY DID HE MARRY HER?
CHAPTER XX.-Coxr1NuEp.
"You know that young ladies are
much; therefore my old Mentor yon-
der has impressed me with thenecessi-
ty OF profound secresy."
You tiresome creature! will ap-
peal to Mr.. Spring himself"
."Tf you do, he will only confirm
what have told YOU Better let him
alone, for he is explaining some ab-
stfuse law point to your mother, who
looks as much perplexed as if he were
speaking Greek to her. I wonder if
the fair sex intend to adopt the prac-
tice of the law too, when their millen-
MUM is established? Eh, Miss Clara,
what is your opfnion?"
"In the course of my reading, have
found the biography of beautiful
woman who once lectured ON law with
q veil over her face, that her pupils
might not become enamoured by their
teacher, and forget her instructions"
"That was in an earlier day, when
law was a far less complicated study
than it row is, and you see, even then
how inconvenient to the lady was the
position she assumed. How would
you likeJto turn Minerva, and cover
not only;your head, but your whole
face with her helmet?"
'Nensense! you donned the cap of
;absurdity tonight, when you came
hithcr..h
~so'you think SO, Clara? 1t may
be absurd i'll me to aspire to such
happiness as have dared to hint to-
night, but know that am a truer
man and better gentleman than the
latest. and, report says, the most
favored pretender to your favor"
~'Nr. Lumley is the person you re-
Ter to, presume" she coolly replied:
~ should be sorry to compare you to-
s.ether, for it would scarcely befair to
either. He is an original, for whom
many allowances must be made, and
you are"
She paused, half smiled, and he
<sagerly inquired
"What am to you?"
"My earliest friend, sternest Judge,
Sand-the defender of my claims to a
disputed inheritance"
With n low curtsey, and smile half
!bewitching, half mocking, she turned
from him, and approached Mr. Spring,
leaving Ashton bewildered, charmed,
half angry, yet more in love than ever
with this tantalizing gypsy, who knew
her power and used it.
"Is it absolutely forbidden me to
know the destination of my preux
chevalier, Mr.. Spring? Since he goes
on my affairs, l surely have a right to
know in what direction my fortune
leads him. Mr.. Ashton is SO provok-
ingly mysterious that l can gain no
clue to guide me i'll q lucky guess.
Very right, my dear, obedient to
orders, as all successful men must be
as long as they are subordinate to
Others. l refused to let you know his
destination, because the oily widow,
who has become SO intimate with YOU
of late, would be sure to get the secret
from you and she is interested on the
other sides might do your cause
some HARM"
"Do you mean Mrs. Pierres You
are mistaken, sir, for she is one Of my
best friends"
81 will wager that she is better
friend to your adversary; and if she
cannot persuade you to marry him,
she will array herself ON the other
side"
"You misjudge Mrs. Pierre, indeed
you do. She has never attempted to
influence me in favor of Mr.. Lulnley.
She leaves him to make his own way,
/ assure you"
"And trust he does not progress
very rapidly in your favor Miss
Clara; the fair prospects of Mr. Lalln-
ley may darken little. Thanks to a
certain young friend of ours, we are in
O fair way to find out a thing or two
which will materially affect his claim"
"After what Mrs. Pierre has told me,
it is impossible to believe Mr.. Lumley
an impostor; and, in fact, have
scarcely considered it fair to contest
his claim at ALL"
1--WE do not intend to contest it, my
dear. We only require him to prove
his right to the estate; but if he is the
: real Simon Pure, Intend at least to
!: frighten him into leaving your own lit
: tie property untouched. In the mean
time, Clara, do not give too much of
your heart to the fascinating widow,
lest the wrench prove too severe when
;You are forced to give her up"
"What can you mean? trust that
aJahall never be called on to give up my
friend"
.."Oh, I am only givingyou a caution
that may ormay not be of use to you.
Goodnight, ladies-come, Ashton,
Vet us 60"
..'.And you are really going without
telling me the place Of Mr.. Ashton's
destination" asked Clara, in q tone of
'vexation.
REALLY and positively, Miss Clara
Euston; and now go and pout because
you are not considered to have dis
oretion enough to keep your own
aecrets. You need not blame Ashton
far can see in his face that he would
betray it now if he had half chance.
] shall anott afford him one, SO come
C&sFley, lam in a hurry"
Clara looked toward
heriAoyer; there must have been some
thing. magnetic in the will that COM
pellad her to do SO, for there was a
single flash from his eyes which her.
own responded to without any power
on her side to prevent it, and she felt
kIo% Aoh<1,, .Yr,oo tho xysofoys i,D tho