The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-10-28
cent pranks of her cousin.

cent pranks of her cousin.
1t did not require long thine for the
Young man to realize that he could never
love Miss Wayne as the man should love
the girl whom he intends to marry. He
made another discovery-that his life
would be a failure without the little
cousin TO furnish daily sunshine and
wifely cheer for his own home. He re-
solved to let Miss Wayne have one-half
of his aunt's estates and the orphan asy
lum the other. He would marry the
girl of his own choice, provided he could
win her, and boldly fight his own way
through life.
Having so decided, Hugh set out for
stroll along the river, feeling more manly
| for his resolve. He came suddenly upon
| little figure in white, reading, in lit
| tie vinev nook by the rivers side.
"Wait, Estelle," he called, for she had
started to run away. 81 shall leave to-
morrow, and have something to say to
you which you must hear
The tell-tale flush which swept over
her face and neck at his words might
have given some hint of an easy surren-
| der. However, in moment, she had re-
gained that customary piguancy which.
| had more than once eXasperated Hugh:
"rd be sorry to have you leave us with
any burden on your mind" she said,
provokingly.
at is needless for me to tell you why
it was arranged for me to meet Miss
Wayne here" he said, unheeding her
light words you know, suppose"
G"Some slight idea, l believe" she re-
turned, lingering her book.
"Weil, may as well tell you that the
condition in my late aunt's will can never
be fulfilled"
ANY why not?"
because l love another passionately.
Oh, Estelle! Can you not see how ten
derby, how ardently love you? With
out you | shall make sad failure of
life. Won't you show mercy, Estelle?"
"Oh, Hugh! Would you marry poor
girl when you have chance to win a
dignified bride and retain those princely
estates?" she asked.
Eyes, darling. prefer you with love
in cottage to the wealthiest woman
with all the estates in the world"
Rash statement, young man."
at is true. Do not torture me longer,
Estelle. Can you no love me little?"
"No."
"Then you do not love me?"
"Tm afraid do"
81 am not hooking you, Hugh" in a
very sweet voice.
"Then you do love me a little?"
"No, not little, but very much"
He would have caught her to his
breast, but she eluded his arms crying:
"Oh, there's Uncle CranstQn!" and
she rushed forward to greet the little
lawyer, who had approached them I'M
seen.
sit is useless for me to ignore facts
said Mr.. CranstOn, pleasantly. Il did
not mean to overhear your conversation,
but | arrived unexpectedly and thought
I'd hunt up my sprite here and surprise
her. | see you understand each other
pretty clearly"
Eyes, SIR said Hugh, bravely, II
have decided to enjoy love in a cottage
with this dear girl rather than keep the
estates with Miss Wayne"
Love in cottage! Oh, that's too
good!"
And Mr.. Cranston broke into hearty
laugh, in which the girl finally Joined
him.
evil you have the goodness to explain
what amuses you so much in my state
ment?" asked Hugh, not little nettled.
pardon me, Colewood, but really,you
are the victim of your own blunder."
'Blunder! | don't understand you,
sir" returned Hugh.
''Of course not" and again the lawyer
laughed. This sprite, whom you took
to be the unimportant little cOusin,is, in
reality the Ethel Wayne referred to in
your aunt's will. did not tell you that
there were two Ethels, so while she was
driving you over here you jumped to the
conclusion that Miss Wayne at the house
was the Ethel. You see | have been tOlC
all about your amusing mistake. Ethe
would not explain her real identity witt
the girl whom your aunt had selected fol
you, and, as the other ladies believed
you knew, you have remained the victim
of your own mistake"
Six months later the condition of Mis-
, Colewood's will was cheerfully obeyed.