The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-10-28


some business matters with Hugh.
"Halloa, Colewood Take seat,
said the lawyer, scrutinizlng the flushed
Ease and nervous manner of his visitor.
He was Just wondering to himself If
the unexpected good fortune had turned
young Colewood's head when his visitor
remarked:
"You are aware of that one peculiar
feature in my late aunt's will, Mr.. Grams
ton?"
Light at once dawned upon the lawyer,
and there was twinkle in his eyes.
However, he asked indifferently:
ITO what peculiar feature do you re-
fer, Mr.. Colewood?"
1.-THE one that absurdiy commands me
to marry girl l have never SEEM"
"Oh, that!" returned Mr.. Cranston.
you're lucky fellow, ColewoOd. That's
the best part of the fortune"
It's the most exaSperating part,
| Hugh cried desperately. "How can
fellow love and wed to order?"
"Well, it's deal of time and labor
saved to the young woOer," remarked
the astute lawyer, putting. I've no
doubt Ethel Wayne will suit you better
than any selection you are capable OF
making"
Hugh flushed warmly at the lawyers
| observation, and he spoke hoty.
"Tm sure she won't suit me, and the
estates may so to-charity for all l care.
don't love any woman, and love my
| freedom too well to marry yet while.
| don't want to be thrust on anybody for
| the sake of fortune, and l don't sup
pose Miss Wayne cares two straws about
the conditions of my aunt's will.
7 81 D.. Al hp1 cd
much respect for the late Miss Colewood,
and was very careful to humor all her
vagaries," returned Mr.. CranSton, much
| amused at young COlewood's excitement.
| However, | am not prepared to state
whether the girl would accept Miss Cole
woods last vagary in the shape of her
! impulsiye nephew or not"
II shall not give her the opportunity"
said Hugh, nettled at the lawyers words.
Hold on, young man; let us drop
nonsense and come to business. You
want your aunt's estates, but you cannot
retain them without complying with her
wishes. You have never met the girl
whom your aunt has chosen. Perhaps
it will be proved that you are neither of
you opposed to fulfilling the condition.
! At least you must meet. | will arrange
that. Ethel will pass the summer with
my sister in the country, and | will man
age it for you to spend few weeks with
them. You can very soon tell whether
the condition is wholly obnoxious or not.
What do you say?"
| will do as you advise, thank you, sir, "
replied Hugh, who had now cooled off
somewhat and was trying to take bust
ness view of the strange situation.
Four weeks later Hugh COlewOod was
speeding away from Greenville on the
morning express, bound for little town
among the blue hills of Virginia. When
he stepped from the train he was sur
prised to find no one waiting to convey
him to the home of Mr.. CranstOn's Sis
ter, distance of eight miles. He was
about to ask the way to the best hotel,
when buggy came rapidly up to the
station and halted.
The station master hurried forwary to
greet the driver, who was a slim young
girl, with dark eyes and hair as golden
as the sunshine touching the hills.
ais Mr.. Colewood of Greenville here to
drive out to Mrs. Thurston's?" inquired
the fair Jehu, in a sweet voice, which
won Hugh's interest at once.
Il am here and waiting, thank you,"
returned Hugh for himself, smiling pleas
antly as he came forward.
81 came to drive you to Mrs. Thurs
TOMS" she said simply.
Shall | take the reins?" he asked, as
they started off.
''No, thank you; am fond of driv-
ing" she replied.
ut was too bad for you to take SC
long a ride for stranger he remarked,
as he stole a sidelong glance of admira-
ton at the girlish form in blue.
"Oh, don't mind the distance at all
besides | rather had to come" she re.
piled. II did wish to go with the young
folks who are having a picnic this morn.
ing over on Laurel Hill, but Uncle Jerry
was sick, and of course he couldn't come
for you. Then Mrs. Thurston and Miss
Wayne never drives so they made a virtue
of necessity and sent the last resort OF
the place." and she laughed merrily.
at is too bad my coming prevented
your joining the picnickers. shall moi
be able to forgive myself"
"That is nothing. | am enjoying my
self now too we'll to think of Laure
! Hill" she returned brightly.
"Thank you, and at the same time lie
me assure you that |, too, am enjoying
myself excellently we'll" and Hugh
bowed to the young girl, whose eye
dropped beneath the warm admiration o
his blue ones.
81 hope you will enjoy your visit, Mr.
Colewood," she said to change the sub
ject. 81 know Mrs. ThurstOn and Ethe
! will do all they can to make your sta,
pleasant"
Thank you; I've no doubt / shall
find it very pleasant" returned Hugh
You, too, are one of Mrs. Thurston'
summer household, SUPPOSE"
Yes" with a smile. You see, an
distant relative of Mrs. Thurstou's
then Miss Wayne is my cousin, and eX
ercises kind of cOusinly GUARDIANSHIP
over me, which no doubt is very neces
sary."
$50 you are Miss Waynes cousin?
do not remember hearing Mr.. Cransto
!. mention you. did not expect to hav
the pleasure of meeting any ladies her
/ besides Mrs. Thurston and Miss Wayne
"How unkind of Mr.. CranstOn not t
prepare you for this meeting!" and ther
was a roguish CLEAN in her eyes whic
Hugh did not see. 81 had up to date II
garded Mr. CrarstOn as one of my beS
friends, but to ignore me utterly whe
he knew l should accompany COusi
Ethel here, looks like intentional neI
! lect."
! you've not given me the pleasure {
knowing your name" said Hugh, amuse
ond pleased with his pretty driver.
"Oh, am a Wayne, too" she answe
> ed, with a smile. ETHEL Estelle Wayn
: vaiOusly nicknamed. as YOU will obserN