Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-03-27
Ernest'S TntiOmitabIe Will.

Ernest'S EndOmitabEe viii.
From the veranda OF his spacious
mansion Mr.. Ernest Desmond could
overlook all Arbordale and the fields
nut Ridge in the distance and the
river winding down the valley toward
the lowlands; he caught the first and
last look at the sun, breathed the
purest atmosphere and reveled in q
consciousness OF a personal pre- emf
hence over ali his fellow creatures.
His grandfather had laid the founda
tions OF the Desmond fortune, his
father had increased it to an enor-
nous extent and on dying left sue
with the Desmond taste for money
making his mothers overpowering
ambition and strength of will.
He looked a long way ahead, laid
plans accordingly and then went for
ward to the accomplishment Of his de-
signs, unconscious OF obstacles and
many man found out to his cost
what it meant to cross him.
He was not thirty-two and for the
first time in his life acknowledged to
his inner soul with which he often
held prolonged consultations that he
was in love.
Whether Annie Wilbur was quite fit
to be a Desmond had been a question
of long speculation. The doubt, how
ever, was suddenly removed when, on
going out of town for few weeks, he
become the guest of a friend with
whom Miss Wilbur at the time also
stood in the same relation. He fell
readily in love and henceforth was
frequent caller at her home.
He made no haste with his wooing
for he had no doubt Of his accepta-
bility, and if a tremor of uncertainty
ever did flash over him it was quieted
in an instant by his indomitable will
The idea that she might reject him.
Ernest Desmond, Esq, the richest and
most influential man in all the coun-
try around, was too ridiculous for
moments federation.
One day he resolved to purchase a
strip of the Barstow estate lying along
the river and erect a mill thereon, for
he realized that there was sufficient
water power, if dam were built, to
turn large amount of machinery
Young Arthur Barstow was Just
emerging from his minority and in a
foxr IL,
property. "Barstow is young and |
can make a good bargain out of him
if [ am careful" Desmond solilo-
quized as he drove down the hill,
through the village to the Barstow
place on the outer edge Of the little
town
He found Arthur at home and after
a few pleasant remarks, cautiously in
quired about the property.
''I'm going to build MILL" said Ar
thur. ''It's fine location, and had
not the property been tied up would
have had one long ago"
''It will take considerable money.
won't it?'' asked Desmond, without
evincing his vexation
YES" said Arthur, 'Ebut my uncle
will advance half and when the mill
gets to going it will very soon pay for
itself.''
After some further conversation.
Desmond confessed that he thought
it possible site for mill and asked
what he would take for the land. Ar
ft,1- did not ricb tO coll Dacno0pI
made an offer, then increased but Ar
thur would not sell.
''I'l have the place yet" he said to
himself as he drove away. "It's only
TO cause a little bother.
He tried the uncle, whose one great
failing was covetousness. Whether
Desmond passed any money into the
uncle's Golfers or not is uncertain, but