Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-01-26
Ten Minutes TO TW0lVG.
BY n. G. MOLELLAND.


wishes for him. There had always been
physicians in the Royal family-some
distinguished ones. The love of healing
might be said to run in the blood.
At one-and-twenty John Royal re-
turned from Philadelphia with his dip
Iona III his pocket, and further fulfilled
his destiny by falling in love win his
cousin Phyllis, then a girl of IS. \ boy
and-girl marriage was no part of Miss
Royals plan for the young people. She
wanted John to become Il distinguished
surgeon, and as his whole heart, or
rather mind, was set on his profession,
she yielded readily to his wish for few
wears in the Vienna and Paris hospitals.
An engagement between the cousins was
sanctioned, aud the understanding was
that the marriage should take place as
soon as, in her aunt's opinion, Phyllis
should be old enough.
OF the reasons for six years delay of
his marriage, and of his residence during
that time abroad, John Royal did not
speak; they were not gernane to the
matter in hand. Ills wish was to pre-
sent the main facts of the case and to
force upon his listener the necessity for
immediate action.
At the end of the six years news had
come of his aunt's sudden death, and
with it a letter from her executor in
forming him of the terms of her will.
These were little singular, and more
than little arbitrary, which, however,
was in accordance with the character OF
the testatrix. The property, of consid-
cradle value and duly enumerated, with
the exception of small legacy or two,
was left absolutely to John Hart Royal
and Phyllis Royal as Il marriage gift, pro
vided their marriage to each other should
take place between the hours OF | and II
o'clock on Dee. %, 1S-. In the event of
the marriage not taking place on the day
and during the hour appointed, there
were restrictions laid upon the property
which would prove a serious annoyance
to the legatees: and in the further event
of the marriage not taking place at all,
the entire property was to be converted
into money and divided, share and share
alike, among her kindred of RoyaFblood
from the first to the third degree, Phyllis
and John to have an equal portion with
the rest, but not a silver more on behalf
of nearer linship.
The story was given in short sentences,
with rests between to spare the patients
strength. The energetic brain of the
listener grasped the situation in its en-
tirety. and his sympathies were more
than ever aroused. To him it appeared
a terribly mean advantage to take of the
power which the possession Of wealth
cOnferS. His first FESTIVE impulse was to
say, LET the money go to the devil,
and marry the young lady to suit your
self" but a glance at the face before
him sent back the words unspO1en. a
well man, hale and strong, could afford
to assert his independence, to take his
own life and that of another into his
own hands. But when q man lay dying
the case was different; he must do that
which he could, not that which he
would, to secure the future of the wOm-
an thrown so absolutely upon his honor
and protection. Royals pity for the pair
grew apace, and he felt that there was
not much he would stick at to circum-
vent the misery entailed by that Gin
iquitous will" as he styled it in his
thought.
''Are there many kindred?' he queried,
fOrgetful that his own name might entitle
him to a position as residuary legatee.
"Legions of EN-" John Royal respond
ed irritably. MY aunt had forty-fve
first cousins, and the bulk OF them of Roy
al blood. I've heard her say so scores of
times. In the second count, God and the
census taker alone know what the tally
may be. 'Tisn't worth while even to
wonder about the third. lisa good prop
arty. but the sands of Egypt wouldn't
divide up handsomely among the Royal
clan"
After a moment he went on: II feel
like the veriest scOundrel that ever drew
breath! But for her determination to
bring about this marriage my aunt
would have left her money to Phyllis.
The only thing I can do for her now is
to marry her before II o'clock tomorrow,
and God only knows how it's to be man
aged. That cursed accident" His eyes
were filled with yearning pain.
The doctor smiled cheerily and looked
ut his watch. Don't fret" he said; ''it'S
bad for you. The marriage is the main
thing, and we can secure that. I'll take
that 4:30 train and go after the young
lady, and you can be married at once.
The conditions, whatever they may be,
must be put up with. It's a case Of half
"a loaf or no bread. By the way, what
are the conditions?' He rose as he put
the question.
THAT neither Phyllis nor myself shall