The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-05-11
DRIVEN TO MARRIAGE.

Ever, body declared that Hugh Cole
wood ought to be the happiest man in
Greenyille.
He was young. handsome and well
educated; then, JUS. as he was preparing
to fight his way to fame with poverty ar
rayed agAint him, be had suddenly been
made the sole heir to the fne old estate
Of his eccentric aunt, Miss Betsy Cole
wood, recently deceased.
What more was necessary 70 the hap
piness of gay young fellow Ike Hugh
Colewood Nothing, il seemed to the
envious bachelors.
However, there were conditions, or
one at least, in his aunt's viii which
caused him no little uneasiness. He must
love and marry the girl Of her choice. one
whom he had never seen
Hugh Colewood caught up his aunt's
last letter to him and read it again and
again, hoping 10 find some little loop
hole Of escape from the gall 'ngcondition.
But It WAS there in merciless black and
white. This is the part that worried
aim.
IF you cannot comply with my wish
IS for you to meet Ethel Wayne and
love and marry her, you forfeit your
heirship to my estates Ethers mother
vas my dearest friend, and if you marry
her daughter it will be fulfilling nv
fondest desires. You cannot help low
ing her.
4 could not rest in my tomb peaceful
Is and know that Ethel was not mistress
Of my estates, and you dear boy, the
master. Ny lawyer, Mr.. Cranston, viii
arrange for you TO meet Ethel, as he is
one Of her guardians. You know how
thoroughly despise old bachelors there
fore give you warning that I viii not
allow you to inhabit my house and lands
as one Of that disagreeable, erusty order. -
SO had written the eccentric spinster.
Hugh nibbled the ends Of his mustache
impatiently as he pondered on the con-
ditions which the viii imposed
Hugh loved the ColeEood estate, and
could not bear TO think Of giving them
up. Now, II the viii had not specified
whom be must marry, but left the selee-
ton ofa wife entirely to himself, Hugh
believed that he would have enjoyed the
romance Of hunting for bride.
He picked up his hat and rushed from
his room, going up to the hotel where
Mr. Cranston was stopping. while ne ar
ranged some business matters with Hugh
Hello, Colexood Have a seat, said
the lawyer, serutinizing the flushed face
and nervous manner Of his visitor he
was just wondering to himself if the IN
expected good fortune had turned yoan.
ColeEood's head, when his visitor re-
marked:
"You are aware Of that one peculiar
feature in my late auni's viii, Mr.. Gran
ston ?"
Light at once dswned upon the law
yer, and there was twinkle in his eyes,
However, be asked indiferently:
TO what peculiar feature 20 you re-
fer, 8Ir Colesood?"
The one that absurdly commands me
to marry girl that have never seen
@Oh, thatY' returned Mr.. Cranston.
HYou are a lucky fellow, Colewood.
That's the best part Of the fortune"
ats the most exssperating part,
Hugh cried desperately. How can q
fellow love and wed 10 Order?"
~well, lisa deal of time and bother
saved to the wooer," remarked the law
yer, putting. "Tve no doubt Ethel
Wayne viii suit you better than any Sc
lection you are capable Of making"
Hugh Colewood flushed warmly at the
lawyers cool observation and he spoke
hotly.
~I'm sure she won't suit me. sir. The
estate can 90 TO charity for all 1 care. !
don't love any woman, and i love my
freedom too well TO marry yet awhile.
l don't want to be thrust upon any vo-
man for the sake Of fortune, and don't
suppose Miss Wayne cares two straws
about the absurd condition in my aunt's
will"
at is very likely, although Ethel had
the greatest respect for the late Mis-:
Colewood, and was very careful to hu,
NOR all her vagaries," returned lCrznston
much amused over young Colewood's ex
element However, hardly feel ablt
to state vether the girl would aecep
Miss Colewood's last vagary in the shap'
Of her impulsive nephew, or not
Il shall not give her the opportunity,
said Hugh settled at the lawyers words
HHold on, Colewood- Let's drop non
sense and come 10 business You Tx
your sunt's estate, but YOU cannot retair
them without complying with her wish
6. You have never met the girl WHOM