The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-08-24

bonds
quite comfortable little prop
erty," he thought complacently. "As
soon as I can induce Elsie to name our
wedding day we can settle down here
very cozily. That story of hers wor-
ried me little, for IL the old lady had
neglected TO make will l could hard
ly be expected TO burden myself with
portionless wife. Elsie is sweet
girl. and 1t would be bard to give her
up. but a man must look out for tho
main chance. However, it's all right,
and I'm glad of It,"
But II Frank Gilbert's sympathy was
all outward show there was another
man whose heart was filed with sin
cere pity and hopeless love for Elsie.
Poor Hugh ClIfford He had loved
the girl ever since he was her cham
pion at school If Frank Gilbert had
not appeared UPON the scene with his
handsome face and polished manners
Elsie would have accepted Hugh when
he asked her to be his wife. AS 1t
was, she refused him gently, but de-
cidedly.
Aunt Martha, who was Hugh's con-
Adant, sympathlzed with him,
And now the funeral was over and
search began for the will. TO the sur
prise of all, II was not to be found
Lawyer Bentley and his partner as
sisted In the search. and you may well
believe that Gilbert at least searched
faithfully, but all to no avail Every
thing that could afford a hiding place
for the missing document was careful
ly examined, especially the writing
desk that Aunt Martha had seemed so
anxious about Just before her death.
Lawyer Bentley remembered perfect
ly the circumstances of drawing up
the will, but was obliged to believe
that for some unknown reason Aunt
Martha had destroyed it and neglect
cd TO make another.
"lf IL We're any one but Mrs. VIII
kins," Elsie thought 81 could bear IL
bottcr, but 1t really seems as If auntic
couldn't rest in her grave with that
woman In possession of her house.
have Frank left, and although we.
shall be poor at first | will try my
best to make him happy"
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilkins did not long
remain in ignorance Of the fact that
no will was to be found and came 10
Alton in great triumph. Elsie. who
had not yet left her old home, receiv-
cd them with quiet dignity. Mrs.
wilkins announced her intention Of
moving over and taking possession Of
the house that week.
II always did like this part of the
country better than our county" she
said to her husband, "and l am COM
ing right away. You can stay over
there and see to selhn' off the furni-
ture, cause we won't need none of 1t
here, and you'd better rent the house
If you can" Then, turning to Elsie,
who felt almost sutfocated with in
dignatiOn, she said sharply, Il s'pose
you have got another place to stop,
haven't You, Miss Rednor. for
'twouldnt be very convenient to have
you here after we Gomez"
81 have no intention of taxing your
hospitality in the least, madam" re-
piled Elsie calmly. "but you seem to
have forgotten that there are certain
forms of law which must be complied
with before you can take possession.
1 advise you TO see Lawyer Bentley
at once, and for the present allow me
to wish you good morning"
''lmpudent hussy!" said the. irate
woman as the door closed upon Elsle's
slight form. Thinks she can drive
us off that way, does she? Well, come
along, Ephraim. l guess it won't do
no hurt TO go and see the lawyer, any
way"
so the worthy coupYe sought the law
yer'S office, where they learned 10 their
dismay that ii would be several
months at least before they could OBJ
tain possession of the much-desircd
property.
Elsie took up her abode with good
Mrs. Brainerd, who had kindly offer
..I hAr -l.,,
Frank did not come 10 see her. Could
he be i'll? No, she would have heard
of it. Pride kept her from going TO
the office to inquire for him. On the
fourth day a letter came
How strange of Frank to write in
stead of coming himselfr' she thought,
with Il strange sinking at her heart
She opened the letter with trembling
fingers
Dear Elsie,-I hardly know what to
say. l sympathize deeply with you in
your double atfiiction, but it will be
years before my circumstances will al
low me to marry, and 1t would be the
height of selfishness to ask you TO wait
for me an uncertain length of time. l
do not consult my own feelings in this
matter | only Try to see what Is for
your best good, and therefore will hold
you no longer bound. Remember me
always as your most affectionate
friend,
FRANK GILBERT.
81 will answere this letter while I
feel strong" she said, and taking pen
and paper she wrote:
Mr.. Gilbert.-I fully agree with your
opinion concerning our engagement,
and thank you for kindly releasing
me. Yours sincerely,
ELSIE REDNOR.
She sent the note and joined the
family at the tea table soon after, as
her absence might have occasioned
surprise. She forced herself to appear
as usual and succeed so we'll that no
one observed anything strange in her
manner. But that evening she said
to her friend:
II want TO tell you something, dear
Mrs Brainerd. My engagement with
Mr.. Gilbert is broken Off"
Mrs. Brainerd suspected the truth.
u 1,.l. 4 l.sIw