Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-11-01


she was the one woman in the world
whom destiny had marked out for me;
and at the end of the second week took
my uncle into my confidence and com
municated to HIM my intention of asking
her to become my wife.
al see no objection" my uncle replied
after moments grave thought pro
vided she will accept you. She is a
charming girl-a little romantic, bui
sensible; and will, l am sure, make a
good wife. Fortunately, your aunt's
money will enable you to live in COM
fort, whereas without it you and your
wife would starve; for, as I understand.
she has nothing of her own, and is de-
pendent on her uncle, Judge Patterson.
Indeed, l heard him say yesterday that
he would never consent to her marrying
a poor man."
Here was dilemma. After resolving,
for Ethel's sake, to keep my name, here
found myself reduced II tIe alternative
Of relinquishing ii IN order to gain pos
session of herl To resign her felt to
De an impossibility, whereupon I at
ength, not without a pang, informed
Uncle Joe that had concluded to ac-
sept the conditions of my aunt's will and
claim the fortune. But I should have
70 explain it to Ethel, and what would
The say2
Ethel listened very attentively, as in
pleasant little retired nook on the lawn,
:alled "the lovers seat" / told her
ibcut my great-aunt's will and its ab-
'urd condition. Her sweet face was full
,f sympathy, but when 1 asked her to
'hsre with me my life and my fortune,
there cine an ominous silence. She
ooked down, and with the point of her
oarasol carefully turned over and exam
ned a FREELY which lay motionless upon
he grass.
"Ethel,"I exclaimed, auxiously, "if
fou have any feeling of pity, give me an
answer at once. l cannot bear this sus-
9ense. Surely you do care for mel"
IL do care for you, Percy" she
said slowly, and then paused. Appar-
iy was dead, for she now began absently
20 dig grave with her parasol, into
which she lightly showed him, then add
ed, sadly: "But don't know that can
marry you"
"why not, darlingl What obstacle is
therel"
"xhy, cay think. persz. ~hat -s
dreadful thing it would be to have to go
through my whole life as-as Mrs. Peter
Tubbs!" And here she hastily covered
up the FREELY and buried it out of sight,
as though it had been that hated name.
al know it darllng," 1 answered sadly
and ympathetically. ~ hate the name
as much as you can possibly do, but sure
ly you love me sufficiently to be willing
to make that sacrifice rather than cast me
off entirelyl"
"But," she answered, g!ancing up
appealingly from under her long lashes,
"cculd not you make a sacrifice for my
sakei Give up the money aud keep
your beautiful name"
"But, dearest, we would be so poorl
could not think of exposing you to the
trials and ills of poverty"
"Oh, don't care for moneyr she
interrupted, brightly. "We could live
in Moe little cottage, which ! could
make lovely with roses and honeysuckle
aud would learn to cook-it's all the
fashion now for ladies to take cooking
lessons-and we could be just as happy
there as in palace. If you do truly
love me, Percy, give up the fortune; for
really could never be happy as Mrs.
Peter Tubbs; and I'm not sure but that
-perhaps-I should not be able to love
you so much If you were not Percy
Howard, but Peter Tubbs. It's silly l
know; but always associate people
with their names"
This last consideration was serious
one, felt, and l sat in silence, while
Ethel commence scrapiug bits of gravel
on the grave of the FREELY.
"Suppose you take until tomorrow to
think it Overt" she suggested; "apd
then 1 shall know how much you do
really care for me-"
And then she rose and we sauntered
slowly back to the hotel; she apparently
placid and serene, while my heart was
sorely troubled with the dilemma, out of
which l saw no safe way.
When next morning we met in the
same spot she had not long TO wait for
my answer. l told her at once that
cared for nothing on earth in comparison
with her, and that if she would only
promise to be my wife-to be Mrs. Percy
Howard-my Aunt Fosters money might
80 to Mrs. Granger, and welcome.
can never forget the radiant look
with which she turned to me-tears in
her eyes, but lovely smile on her lip.
Then you do love me-better than
this money! she exclaimed. 81 am SC
glad-so happy!" And she looked W
into my eyes and held out both hei
hands.
"gut, darling, do you think that you
will really be satisfied with living in 8
.ottage and Going your own cooaInsf"
inquired somewhat anxiously.
Sne laughed gaily.
ave shall never be reduced to that,
Percy. We will keep your name and the
money, all the same"
"But, dearest, that will be impossible.
You don't seem fully to understand"
"Oh, yes, dol' she interrupted with
4 little exultant sort of f. smile and toss
of her head. "And now please let me
make an explanation in my turn. Mrs.
Granger, your aunt's niece, became a
widow shortly after her marriage, and
was married again to Mr.. Walter Gray.
Tncy were my own dear parents, and
they both died when was a little girl.
So row, don't you sec that since you
positively decline to take the name of
Peter Tubbs, l am my Aunt Fosters heir
ess, by the condition OF her will2 And
so, rs I said, We will keep Jour name
and get the money all the same; for
every cent of it shall be settled upon
yourself. 1 wouldn't know what to do
with it If it were mine, you know"
could hardly believe my ears, aud in
fact scarcely conprehended the situation
until it was again explained to me by my