Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1893-03-24
=, A DILEMMA.
And How Ethel Helped Her Lover
Out of It.

II can't bring myself to submit to 1t.
really cannot" said, desperately.
II would rather resign all claim to my
great-aunt's fortune than go through
life an object of contempt and ridicule
with such a name as Peter Tubbs"
Don't be a fool, Percy" said my
Uncle Joe sharply. 'Only an idiot
would be silly enough to throw away
substantial benefit for the sake of a
mere romantic sentiment The name Is
respectable one and won't hurt you,
and on the other hand consider all the
advantages which this fortune will
bring YOU"
"As Mr.. Peter Tubbs," interrupted,
bitterly. 81 can't conceive how my
mothers aunt could have had the heart
to impose such condition upon one
whom she desired to benefit"
'The name was her fathers and
grandfather's, and she bestowed il
upon the child whom she loved and
who died in infancy. Naturally, she
desired that 1t should continue In con-
nection with the estate; and l really
believe that but for this consideration
she would have made Mrs, Granger
her sole heir. AS it is, the property
will 60 to her or her children If you
decline to comply with the conditions
of the will"
"Who are the Changers, anyway"
inquired, impatiently.
Mrs. Granger was n niece of Mr..
Foster, your aunt's husband, whom
they adopted. After the old gentle.
mans death she offended the widow by
marrying against her will. That was
some twenty years ago. in which time,
1t appears, the couple went south and
have been lost sight of. The lawyers
are now hunting for them, and, should
Mrs. Granger not be living, the fortune
goes to her children-that is, If you
choose to decline it."
"But IL there are no children"
''Then it reverts to some charitable
institute. Meanwhile, you have just
three months allowed you in which tc
consider whether you will or will moi
accept the fortune on the conditions
specified in the will; and venture tc
assert that you are the only young
man outside of an insane asylum who
would not decide it in as many min
utes.
Nevertheless" l replied, "since
won't be at liberty to resign my place
In the academy for month to come,
will, with your permission, take tina
time TO consider the question. IcoulC
not face the boys-nor the girls, either.
added, involuntarily wincing - IA
Mr.. Peter Tubbs- Good heavensl tn,
very thought of it affects me like I
nightmarew
My uncle looked vexed, but evidentl!
considered 1t best to say no more at thu
time. But as the last month of tn
school sess!on approached, observe,
that he began to look at me with al
air of concern.
"These commencement exercises,
he remarked ARE having bad effec
upon you; in fact, breaking you down
as anyone can see. We have boil
worked hard for n year past; suppos
we take a vacation and rest and re
cupernte for awhile? rlpay your ex
penses for the sake of your company
for as you know ! don't like TO e
about myself, and your aunt Emeiin
prefers spending mouth with her sis
ter, where we can join them when on
holiday Is over"
He was bent upon carrying out thi
plan; wherefore the first week in Jul,
saw MS established at q quiet but de
lightful watering place in the Virgins
mountains, the Inducements of whicI
were magnificent scenery, healthfu
air and waters, trout fishing and "hom
comforts" The place seemed wei
patronzed by elderly people and in
valids, though there were fewer youn
persons present than at the gave
springs. Yet among the half doae
girls whose sweet presence illumine
the Mountain Top hotel, there was on
who fascinated me almost from the me
ment in which first beheld her
II was at one of the mineral spring
ut the foot of the mountain that W
first met, on the day after my arriva
She and bevy of her fair companion
were laughing aud chatting togethe
about its brink when we came upo
them, and, seeing that we had no drinl
ing vessel, she dipped silver cup int
the spring and offered it with charm
ing grace, first to Uncle Joe, and the
10 me- Iquaffed the healing waters
and with it the first love draught thG