The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-22
A DILEMMA.
And How Ethel Helped Her Lover
Out Of 1t.

VI can't bring myself to submit to it.
L really cannot" said, desperately.
VI would rather resign all claim to my
greataunts fortune than go through
life an object of contempt and ridiculc
with such Il name as Peter Tubbs'
Don't be fool, Percy" said nv
Uncle Joe sharply. Only an idiot
would be silly enough to throw away
substantial benefit for the sake of n
mere romantic sentiment. The name is
Il respectable one and won't hurt you,
and on the other hand consider ali the
advantages which this fortune will
bring YOU
"As Mr.. Peter Tubbs," interrupted
bitterly. 81 can't conceive how nv
mothers aunt could have had the heart
to impose such condition upon one
whom she desired to benefit"
The name was her fathers and
Srandfather's, and she bestowed it
npon the child whom she loved and
who died IN infancy. Naturally, she
desired that it should continue in con-
nection with the estate; and I really
believe that but for this consideration
she would have made Mrs. Granger
her sole heir AS it is, the property
will go 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 a niece of Mr..
Foster, your aunts husband whom
they adopted. After the old gentle
mans death she offended the widow by
u
some twenty years ago, in which time,
it 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 childrcn-that is, if YOU
choose to decline it,"
But if there are no childrcn?"
Then it rcvcrts to some charitable
institute. Meanwhile, you have just
three months allowed you in which to
consider whether you will or will not
accept the fortune on the conditions
specified in the will; and venture to
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 I
won't be at liberty to resign my place
in the academy for a month to come,
Will, with your permission, take that
time to consider the question. I could
not face the boys-nor the girls, either"
l added, involuntarily wincing las
Mr.. Peter Tubbs. Good heavens! the
very thought of it affects me like q
nightmare"
My uncle looked vexed, but evidently
considered it best to say no more at the
time. But as the last month of the
school session approached l observed
that he began to look at me with an
air of concern.
"These commencement exercises"
he remarked ARE having a bad effect
upon you; in fact breaking you down,
as anyone can see. We have both
worked hard for n year past; suppose
we take n vacation and rest and re-
cuperate for awhile? I'll pay your ex-
penses for the sake of your company;
for as you know / don't like to go
about myself. and your aunt Emeline
prefers spending a month with her Sis
ter, where we can join them when our
holiday is over"
He was bent upon carrying out this
plan; wherefore the first week in July
saw us established at quiet but de-
lightful watering place in the Virginia
mountains, the inducements of which
were magnificent scenery, healthful
air and waters, trout fishing and "home
comforts" The place seemed well
patronized by elderly people and in
valids, though there were fewer young
persons present than at the gaycr
springs. Yet among the half dozen
girls whose sweet presence illumined
the Mountain Top hotel, there was one
who fascinated me almost from the mo-
ment in which l first bchcld her.
1t was at one of the mineral springs
at the foot of the mountain that we
first met on the dov oftcr my arrival