The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-30
Lucy Warrilgian's Sacrifice.
The Story Of a Hasty Marriage and
Its Tragic Sequel.
BY ERNST BRUNCKEN,
.Author of "Ihe Btbliomdntdc's Crime"
"a Terrible Secret etc., etc.
CHAPTER XI.

Mr.. Walter Warringham was in an
angry mood. He was angry with him.
self, with his late mother, with his
cousin Hattie, with the world in general
The last will Of the late Mrs. War.
rfngham was the fault Of 1t S!l.
Equal division between him and Hattie
Beckford!. That left him only q yearly
income Of about ten thousand. But he
wanted more, much more.
Re had no objection against making
proper provision for his cousin. either in
the form OF nice round sum or even
an annualGpension of couple Of thou
sand dollars But equal division!
Mr.. Warringham had debts, many
debts. And now, after his mothers
death, the creditors would all be upon
him with their clamor. After he had
paid them all out of the principal, his
income would be reduced to less than
s.x thousand. Ridiculous! Worse than
nothing! ~
Mr.. Walter Warringham was very
angry with his late mother.
He was angry with himself. For why
had he not exerted proper influence
upon the old lady, 20 as to prevent her
from committing such stupid blunders!
His cousin naturally came in for q
share Of his anger. Shs had not done
anything in particular, but allowed her
self to oe made an heiress. Walter had
q vague idea that this was unwarranta-
bic presumption on the part OF Miss Beck
ford.
> The world in general, no doubt de-
served Mr. Wc>ringham's anger, even il
only on general principles.
There was not much consola tion IN the
fact that Ralph-who, by the way, must
have gone utterly crazy-acquiesced In
the will that left him penniless.
AS WSter lay upon the sofa, smoking
cigarettes and drinking brandy-and-
water, he could only see one bright speck
In his prospects.
I, He had been made Hattie's guardian
during her minority. For three years
he would have the management Of her
property. Some way might perhaps be
found to make his by stratagem what
ehould properly belong to him without
any. ado.
The simplest way out of the difficulty
might perhaps be to marry the girl. Not
Q bad idea.
Such was Mr.. Warringham's train Of
thoughts, which he pursued until the
usual hour ofhis appearing at tie club,
where he continued the laborious occu-
patton Of lounging with the ease Of one
who has long been accustomed to such
srduous pursuits.
Ralph Warripgham's unexpected re-
fusal to contest his mothers will in court
had made the settlement Of the estate a
comparatively easy matter The late
Mrs Warringham's affairs were in eX-
cellent order, and when, after very few
weeks, all the necessary legal forms had
been gone through, the two heirs found
themselves each in the possession Of an
estate that would yield yearly income
Of $4,000.
Miss Hattie Beckford accepted the
fortune that'had so UNEXPECTEDLY fallen
to her lot with very great equanimity.
After the earthly remains Of Mrs. War
ringham had been inferred with all the
pomp due to her social eminence, Hattie
had accepted the invitation of relation
In a neighboring city to take up her
abode with her. There she lived very
retired, as be6tted one so lately be-
reaved and as best suited her predilec-
tions For the deep sorrow she had eX-
perieLced had made lasting impression
on her mind and she had become un-
usually thoughtful for one so young.
AS far as Walter was concerned, he
had taken lodgings at a hotel The
great house that had been the Warning.
ham residence for so many years. Stood
empty. The window blinds were closed,
the door-bell had not been rung for
ever so many day. and the place be-
gan to exhibit that DIR Of melancholy
decay which chsracterizes uninhabited
houses
Walter intended to sell the property as
soon as he could with advantage. He
needed cash.
OF his cousin he saw and heard very
little. The two hao never cared much
for each other. Even when she was
little child Hattie had always preferred
to play with the elder Of her two big
cousins.
Mr. Walter Warringham was, there.
foce, little astonishcd when he found
IN his mail letter from Miss Beckford,
stating that she would arrive in the city
on the noon train to. MORROW. She was