The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-28

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fine old estate OF his
eccentric aunt. Miss Betsy Colewood, re-
Gently deceased.
What more was necessary to the hap
piness Of gay young fellow like Hugh
Colewood1 Nothing, it seemed to the
envious bachelors.
However, there were conditions, or
one, at least, in his alnt's will which
caused him no little uneasiness. He must
love and marry the girl of her choce, one
whom he had never even seen.
Hugh Colewood caught up his aunt's
last letter to him and read it again and
again, hoping to find some little loophole
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 heirshi p
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 rest ii 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 despise old bachelors, there
fore, give you warning that ! will not
allow you to inhabit my houses and
lands as one 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 wife entirely to himself, Hugh
believed that he would have enjoyed the
romance of hunting for q bride.
He picked up his hat and rushed from
his room, going up to the hotel where
Mr.. CraDston was stopping, while he
arranged some business matters with
Hugh.
..Hello. Colewoodl Have seat, :
said the lawyer, scrutinizing the flushed
face 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:
t'You are aware Of that one peculiar
feature in my late aunt's will, Mr.. Grams
ton2n
Light at once dawned upon the lawyer
and there was twinkle in his eyes.
However, he asked indifferently
tTo what peculiar feature do you refer,
Mr.. Colewood2"
1.-THE one that absurdly commands me
toImarry glil that have never SEEN"
"Oh, that" returned Mr.. Cranston.
"You are lucky fellow, CoIewood.
That's the best part of the fortune"
"lt's the most exasperating part, "
Hugh cried desperately. SHOW can a
fellow love and wed to order?"
swell, it's deal Of time and bother
saved to the wooer," remarked the law
yer, putting. 81 have no doubt Ethel
Wayne will suit you better than any
selection you are capable of making"
Hugh Colewood flushed warmly at the
lawyers cool observation and he spoke
hotly.
'sI'm sure she won't suit me, sir. The
estate can go to charity for all care. l
don't love any woman and / love my free
dom too well to marry yet awhile. !
don't want to be thrust on any woman
for the sake Of fortune, and I don 7
suppose Miss Wayne cares two straws
about the absurd conditions in my aunts
\ will"
1T is very likely, although Ethel had
the greatest respect for the late Miss
Colewood, and was very careful'to humor
all her vagaries," returned Cranston,
much amused over young Colewood's ex-
citement. "However, hardly feel able
to state whether the girl would accept
Miss Colewood's last great vagary in the
shape Of her impulsive nephew or not"
Il shallnot give her the opportunity, !"
said Hugh, nettled at the lawyers words.
''Hold on, Colewood. Let's drop
! nonsense and come to business. You
like your aunts estates, but you cannot
retain them without complying with her
| wishes. You have never met the CIR
whom your aunt has chosen. Perhaps i
will be proved that you are neither Of
you opposed to fulfilling the condition.
] 'sAt least, you must meet. ! will ar
range that. Ethel will pass the summer
with my sister in the country, and II
manage it for you TO spend few week:
\ with Them. You can very soon tel
whether the condition is wholly obnox
ious or not. What do you say"
II will do as you advise thank you
sir" replied Hugh, who had now eoole
OF and was trying to take a bushes
view Of the strange situation.
} Four weeks later Hugh Colewood VI