The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-17


Mr.. Flintshlre retired from the Indian
civil service at the age Of nfty. and re-
turned TO England with the fixed lnten-
ton Of marrying for money. Being a
bachelor. his pension was more than
suficient for his wants. and his savings
amounted to q considerable fortune.
But he was very careful man. TO say
the least; and he had always cherished
the idea Of finding rich wife who
would keep him. Hitherto he had been
unsuccessful, because he had. TO lin
tied extent, allowed sentiment TO inter-
fere with his choice. but now that his
income had diminished in consequence
OF his retirement, he resolved 10 be
guided entirely by expedlency, aud TO
permit neither age nor any other dis
qualification to balk his design.
It Is hardly surprising that with such
broad views as this. he had compara-
lively little difficulty in discovering his
opportunity. He was chatting. one day
with his doctor In. rather Respondent
mood, IN consequence Of the unsatisfac-
tory stRte'uf his liver. when the medical
gentleman, TO cheer him up, remarked;
MY dear cir. you need not feeel un,,
easy You Will be wen IN u month, ana
you will live TO be as brisk and lively
at elkhty-four as old Airs. MumDle-
wood"
who is Mrs. AIumbleWood p, Inquired
Mr.. FllntShire.
"A patient OF mlne-a wonderful old
lady. ASH tell you, she is elshty-four'
and yet comes 10 me IN an omnibus TO
save cab fare" said the doctor, lnugh-
ing you VIII hardly believe u when
tell you she Is enormously wealthy.
as She q Widow" inquired air. Flint
shire, pricking up his ears.
Yes. Her husband was old humble
wood, the contractor, who died worth
as they say, quarter of million. The
old fellow. came from nothing, but the
widow IL a shrewd. clever old lady. as
brisk as you orr,
''She can't last much longer, sup
pose" remarked Mr.. Flintshirc. abb
sentiy.
wen, that Is a professional secret,
said the doctor, laughing again, How
ever II 10 safe to predict that she has
lived the best part OF her life"
II should like TO see her" said Mr..
FiintShiFe, in quite hearty tone, for
him. The sight OF her win do one
more good than course OF medicine.
1T VIII be cheaper, at any rate, said
the doctor. with an unconscious irony.
Let me see-I should like TO have
look at you next week. Now, Tuesday
morning. at u O'Clock. is old Mrs. Mum
blewoods hour. and you might arrange
your visit accordingly
Probably the doctor had no other de-
Rlgns In his mind than the wish TO Sc
cure another fee. and In this he sue
ceeded. for Mr.. F1lntshlre at once un-
dertook to call on the day and ut the
hour mentioned.
It seems incredible that any man
should seriously think OF paying court
to an old lady Of eighty-four. Yet Mr.
Fllntshlre was quite prepared TO do so
II 1t turned out that Mrs. Mumblewood
was anything like as rich as she was
supposed 10. and he made the appolnt-
ment with the most deliberate inten-
tons.
He had no difficulty in learning all
about the old lady, who resided in
Sloane street. and was well known in
the neighbeFhoed The result OF his in
quirles was highly satisfactory, for
though the deceased contractor had not
left anything like a quarter OF a mill
lion. the widow had Inherited large
fortune, which must have considerably
increased in consequence of her penur-
attended only by two old servants. who
had been. respectively. cook and butler
TO her late husband She could hardly
be spending 21B0 year to Judge from
the stories that were told about her.
and the natur.l inference was that her
savings aloEa must amount to for
tune.
Under these circumstances. Mr.. Flint
shire did not fail TO keep his appoints
He rnnafdnFpf1 the yssldOVys n Y
cellent chance, and though her misery
prcpensities rather interfered with his
original design OF being supported free
OF expense, this drawback was counter
balanced by the probability OF her
speedy demise He therefore quite
made up his mind TO marry her. nor
did his purpose waver when he found
Airs. Mumblewood an illiterate old la
dy, with skin like parchment, face
that might have been carved from a
block OF wood and tongue that was
constantly saying bitter things.
The meeting at the doctors house.
which was their first Introduction. soon
ripened into intimacy Singular as It
may appear In an old lady OF eighty
four, Mrs. Mumblewood was evidently
fiGtteTed by his intentions. and though
che soon lntinated to him that she sus-
pectDd that ne had designs on her for
tune, aie readily accepted his assurance
mat his politeness arose from pure
friendship. Before long Mr.. F'llntShlre
got into the habit OF calling nearly every
day. md though the hospitality Ire re-
ceived Yas OF a very meager kind. ht.
could not help admiring the strict econ
omy which the widow practiced in her
domestic arrangements.
It was only natural, however, that the
old proverb about the course Of true love
never running smooth should have been
eXempIified in Mr. F1intAhire's case. II
the widow received his attentions with
complncent satisfaction. he was much
less haY0nably regarded by another
member OK the household. He perceived
that he had an enemy In the butler from
the first moment that ancient retainer
opened the door 10 him. This Individual
was a sIfrly. no. overclean old man Of
sixty or thereabouts, whose chief dulles
appeared, to be TO- kesD of intruderB
from his mistress. since he apparently
discharged no other functions. II was
perfectly obvious thai old Numb was
Jealous Of every one who entered the
house. and. probably. had an eye to his
niFtfeSs fortune. He was never polite
90 Mr.. FiinSshire, though the latter.
from motives 81 policy. took great pains
20 make himself agreeable, even going
20 the length OF an occasional gratnity.
Unfortunately the man appeared % have
considerable Influence with the old lady.
who was eviIentiy little afraid Of him.
Mr. F1inishire, who aid not intend Ia be
refused when ne made his proposal Of
marriage. realized that he must not