The Opelousas courier., 1892-08-06

SSutIy ueGedseu.
What more was necessary to the hap
piness of a gay young fellow ike Hugh
Colewood? Nothing, it seemed to the
envious bachelors.
However, there were conditions, OF
one, at least, in his aunt's will which
caused him no little uneasiness. He must
love and marry the girl of her choce, one
whom he had never ever seen.
Hugh Colewood caught UP his aunt's
last letter to him and read it again and
again, hoping to find some little lcophole
Of escape from the CALLING condition.
But it was there in merciless black
and white. This is the part that worried
him:
s'If you cannot comply with my wishes
for you to meet Ethel Wayne and love
and marry her you forfeit your heirship
to my estate. Ethel's mother was my
dearest friend, and if you. marry her
daughter.it will be fulfilling my fondest
desires. You cannot help loving her.
81 could not resi- il my tomb peace
fully and know that Ethel was not mis-
tress Of my estates, and you, dear boy,
the. master. My lawyer, Mr.. Cranston,
will arrange for you to meet Ethel, as he
is one of her guardians. You know how
thoroughly l despise old bachelors, there
fore, | give you warning that / will not
allow you to inhabit my houses and
lands as u of that disagreeable, crusty
order"
So had written the eccentric spinster.
Hugh nibbled the ends of his mustache
impatiently as he pondered on the con
ditions which the will imposed.
Hugh loved the Colewood estates. and
could not bear to think of giving them
up. Now, if the will had not specified
whom he must marry, but left the selec-
ton of a wife entirely to himself, Hugh
believed that he would have enjoyed the
romance of hunting for a bride.
He picked up his hat and rushed from
his room, going up to the hotol where
Mr.. Cranston was stopping, while he
arranged some business matters with
Hugh.
"Hello, Colewoodl Have a seat, "
said the lawyer, scrutinizing the flushed
lace and nervous manner of the visitor.
He was just wondering to himself if the
unexpected good fortune had turned
young Colewood's head, when his visitor
remarked:
afou are aware of that one peculiar
feature IN my tatesunts will, Mr.. Grams
ton2n
Light at C dawned upon the lawyer
and there was a twinkle in his ayes.
However, he asked inditferently:
aTo what peculiar feature do o refer.
Mr.. Colewocdgn
1.-THE n that absurdly commands me
to marry : gnl that I have never seen"
"0h, thatl' returned Mr.. Cranston.
you are a lucky fellow, Colewood.
That's the best part Of the fortune
.lt's the most exasperating part
Hugh cried desperately. "Hew can a
fellow love and wed to order2p
.Well, it's a deal of time and bother
saved to the wooer," remarked the law.
yer, pulling. II have no doubt Ethel
Wayne will suit you better than any
selection you are capable of making.p
Hugh Colewood flushed warmly at the
cool observation and he spoke
holly.
I'm sure she won't suit me, sir. The
estate can go to charity for all / care. ]
DON'T love any woman and Hove my free
dom too well to marry yet awhile. u
don't want to be thrust on any woman
Tor the sake of a fortune, and I don't
Miss Wayne cares two straws
about the absurd conditions in my aunt's
WILL
"lt is very likely, although Ethel had
lhe greatest respect for the late Miss
JoieWood, and was very careful to hunor
III her va %saries,a returnei Cranston.
amused over young ColeWood's ex.
,%1teinent. However, | hardly feel able
Q state whether the girl would accent
Mss ColeWood's last great vagary iii the
.bape OF her impulsive nephew or mott
Il shall not give her the opportunity, ~
aid Hugh, nettled at the lawyers words.
"Hold on, Colewood. Lets dron
lonsenae and come to business. You
- 410 A
your aunt's estates, but yon cannot
etain them without complying with her
sisneas You have never met the Girl
whom your aunt has chosen. PERHAPS ii
vIli be proved that you are neither Of
gu opposed to fulfilling the condition.
AT least, you must meet. i will ar
that. Ethel will pass the summer
nth my sister in the country. and IH
lanagge II for you to spend i few weeks
nth them. You can very soon tell
fhether the condition Is wholly obnox-
q NOT. What do yon sayg'
~ will do as you advise: thank YOU.
Z, replied Hugh, who bad now cooled
# and was trying rs take j business
leM oI the strange situation.
Four weeks later Hugh CoIewo,d was
Feeding away from Greenvilie on the
Iorning express, bound for d little town
along the blue hills of Virginia.
When he stepped from the train he {
disappointed to find no one waiting ]
convey him to the ceuutry home 81
ii Granston sister, d distance of EIGHT
Iles.
He was il the act Of asking the Wag
me best hotel When Il buggy came
up to the station aud halted. '
The station agent hurried forward Co
'Bt the driver, who was i slender
girl, with bright dark eyes and
Il q ggolden % The June suabearns ]
those hills