Smyrna times., 1896-08-12
WITHOUT THE FORTUNE.

Thomas Kenton and Miss Edith
Bradlaugh were both persons of ex-
cellent taste. One proof of this was
the regard they entertained for each
other. But even stronger testimony
to their irreproachable Judgment was
to be found in the desire both of them
had for possessions beyond their income.
Miss Bradlaugh, who added to the in
come derived from a slender legacy by
giving few music lessons, was fond
of silk-lined garments, of dainty china,
of luxurious travel and general ease.
Mr.. Kenton, who subsisted on a salary
earned in great architects office,
liked all things expensive, from cigars
to rare editions, and from London
clothes to horses. Mr.. Kenton and
Miss Bradlaugh also liked each other.
Being a man and therefore a trife
reckless at times, Mr.. Kenton occas-
iOnally proposed to Miss Bradlaugh.
But she always restored him to reason
at once.
'Have fortune left to you, Tom, -
was her invariable reply, ''and I'll
marry you without delay. Oh, yes!
know I'm heartless. But delightful
and companionable as you are, know
you'd be very miserable and cOnse-
quently very uncomfortable if you had
to make fires and shovel snow. I don't
want to be responsible for the ruin OF
your amiable disposition.
'But see what good times we have
now, Edith" Tom would protest
''We haven't any money and we're
as happy as clans except when you're
in the dumps. Why can't we marry
and have it so forever?"
'"Tom, DEAR" Edith would answer,
in a friendly way, ',you don't have tC
make the fire now; you would then.
And I'd have to do numerous unpleas
ant things. 1 hate poverty = ever
Bohemian poverty. I hate packing
box bookcases and cretOnne furniture
and that's what we d have to have. No
Get your fortune and I'll marry yOU
then"
Then Tom would grOan little, sub
NIT to the inevitable and continue tC
send her flowers and read with her
One day he came up a little earlier
than usual. He looked excited.
Edith" he began hurriedly, 60
think fortune is on its way at last. :"
''Yes!' said Edith, cynically. GA
any rate, we can be quite sure that i
there is any movement toward (
meeting between you and fortune, it,
fortune that's making advances. You
are so lazy, Tom"
''YOu'd better listen to me instead O
indulging your own bad humor," " ad
vised Tom.
''Well tell me about the meeting be
tween you and fortune" said Edith
'You know old Mr.. Sedley?" asked
Tom.
Edith nodded.
''Well, he has taken a fancy to me
it seems. He told Gray at the Offic,
about it. Wants Gray to advance m,
and all that. He invited me to dine il
that old family mansion of his, yor
know, and I've gone. He likes me
lot, and he's a sort of cranky ol,
duffer.
Tom paused. Edith eyed him will
cOldly critical eyes.
"Well," she said, at last, ''yo1
are building expectations of becomin:
Mr.. Sedley's heir on the fact that h
has invited you to dinner?"
"DOn't be disagreeable, Edith" sal,
Tom.
"Of course not. But to-day he cam
to see me. He asked me if 1 was en-
gagged, and 1 was obliged to say no
owing to your mercenary opposition
He said he was glad, because he wished
to make proposition which he wouldn'
feel at liberty to make if L had ties,
as he called them. He is an homes
old chap. He wants me to travel will
him for two years in out-of-the-wa,
places - Asia, Australia and Africa
You will never need to regret it fnan
cially, he said, and you will gratif,
my lifelong wish. Edith, shall 1 go?
Edith looked at him stupidity. Sh
saw ahead long, companionless weeks
She also saw that Tom had his op
portunity at last.
81 suppose he'll adopt you, "she said
dryly.
Perhaps" said Tom. ''Shall 1 g,
on the chance that may lead to some
thing, or will you marry me?"
Edith recovered herself.
go where glory awaits thee,'' sh
laughed. "And when you come bacl
with a fortune 1 may be engaged t.
you"