The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-20
STORY OF A WILL.

ST do wish the postman would come"
said Marion Cross Harfield, namesake of
maiden aunt who had died nearly nine
years ago, worth about 500, 900, and who in
her will had given directions that a certain
sum of this money was to be used by Mr..
Harield for the benefit of his family until
her godehild, Marion, was Is years Of age.
On the anniversary of that eighteenth
birthday Marion was to receive a letter
from her aunt's lawyer, which would state
how the money was to be disposed of after
that time
The morning had arrived, and Marion's
excitement about the letter was intense.
The postman came at last, and Mr.. Harfeld
handed to his daughter the longed for mis-
sive.
''Oh, dear. it's the queerest letter." said
Marion. handing it to her father. please
read it, papa. 1 can't understand it yet"
Mr.. Harfeld commenced:
Years ago was to have been married to
a man whom thought all truth and honor.
need not tell you the whole story. 1t is
sufficient to tell you that he did not marry
me- He ruined my faith in mankind, and
that's the reason 1 die unmarried. would
save you, my child, from fate like mine.
Therefore bequeath to you the interest of
my money so long as you remain unmarried.
If at the age of 10 you are resigned to
Sp1QSO0EuOOU, Lie WuOl6s pE1HCip1C 1u0 III
terest. is at your disposal"
Whoever would get married at 4O2 And
what's the use OF all that money at that
age?" exclaimed Marion.
Should you, however, meet one for
whom you can give up this money, on the
wedding day read the other letter which
my lawyer will forward you, which will
tell you how l wish my money disposed OF. -
but, papa, and all of you, no outsiders
need be told about the conditions on which
I receive my money. We are going to en-
Joy life with it,"
And "enjoy life'' she did, and pretty Mar
ion Harfeld was one of the most sought
after young ladies in the place.
It soon began to be noticed that where
ever Marion Harfeld was there, or very
near, was Cecil Lynes, the son of neigh
boring baronet, to be found.
The day came when Cecil could no longer
refrain from telling his love. And Marioni
Well, who could blame her?
''Oh, Cecil said I'd live and die an old
maid; but, my dear, love you-and-
can't"
"And how soon can I have my wifef''
questioned Cecil some half hour afterward
''Oh, Cecil, forgot. Perhaps you won't
| marry when tell you about my money"
my darlingl What do I care for your
money! But what will your father sayS"
''Oh, papa will sanction anything that is
for my happiness shyly answered Marion
And so the engagement was agreed to
| The wedding was arranged to take placs
early in January, and Mr.. Bliss, the lawyer
was written to. He graciously accepted
| the invitation sent him to be present at the
| ceremony and promised to bring the fateful
| letter with him.
The wedding and breakfast were over
The last guest had departed.
''Goodby, moneyl'' cried excited Marion
as the family gathered in the drawing
room. ''Now, Mr.. Bliss. for the letterp'
Mr.. Bliss calmly and deliberately adjust
| ed his glasses, united a package and finally
passed sealed envelope to Marion.
She tore it open. tried to read it and end
ed by passing it over to her husband with
| request to read it aloud. These were thu
| words he read:
''And SO, my child, if you are reading
these lines you are married. Some one il
the world has made you care enough TO
him to give up your fortune, and he. know
ing that you will have to do SO, has proved
that it was for yourself alone that b.
wooed you.
''You are thinking, I suppose. that Aun
Marion was not wise after all, and yoI
have told yourself that life with even a lit
tie, with one you love and by whom yoI
are beloved, is better than a solitary ricl
life. Well, dear, perhaps you are right
Nevertheless, my plan has succeeded.
have saved you, my child. from the miser.
which had to endure.
''It was for my money, not myself, tina
was wooed. and I was determined tina
you, my darling should be spared this trial
although when you read these word
the hand that penned them will be cold il
death, yet 1 say God bless you bothI Kee
the money. If you are reading this it ha
served it's purpose, and may he to whom
you have intrusted yourself prove worth
of the trust. Ny plot will have succeeded
MARION CROSS"
God helping me, willl'' answered Ceci
fervently. and then, after a moment
pause. he exclaimed in quite disappointe
tone, You are not poor. then. after all, N
darling?"
81 could never be that, )" answered Marion
''with your love '-Forget Me Not.