Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-04-08

"Uncle Coleman. Tn going to
marry Lucia Frothinghamr'
"Eh? Whatg'
Uncle Coleman put down his news
paper, pushed his spectaales rp on
his forehea and glared at his aePh-
ew.
Going to marry Lucia Frothing-
ham?" he erie !, after gaspng awhile
in sheer dismay. "You idiotr'
Thanks, was the cool reply. 81
knew you do not admire the lady,
''but where there is a strong mutual
love-"
Strong mutual fiddlestick" inter-
rupted Uncle Coleman. contemptuous-
ly. "You may love her; she is pretty
and fascinating, but what she love is
your bank account, my boy l knew
it would be so when your Aunt jennie
left you a cool hundred thousand. But
boys will be boys. Only, for good
ness sake, wait year or two before
you saddle yourself with a wife"
81 am 81, SIR" with an immense
air of dignity.
"And Ian 64i Now, Frank, do
hear reason. Lucia Frothingham is a
fascinating woman, touching the thir-
ties, il not already over the line
finished airt AID as msfseA.fy as she
is pretty. | know her, and | tel you
her affection is centred upon yolr
Aunt Jenn'c's legacy and the half mil
lion in perspective at my bankers. "
''Uncle Coleman, cried his neph-
ew, hotly. 81 never thought of it, much
leus spoke of it. 4"
81 doa't suppose You ever did.
Having always had an independent in
come, | don't think you ever counted
on a dead mans shoes. But Miss
rockingham was educated in the hard
school of genteel poverty. aud rich
husband is the p,ize for which she
has studied and toiled, for well, say
ten years. She was in society before
you We're done Playing with tops
and marbles.
"Uncle Coleman, you are speaking
of my betrothel wife, remembes.
"Hemr'
Years are of no consequence where
there is true love"
"Hemr'
"And I love Lucia as she loves
me-"
'Not bit of il.
Tomorrow she goes to Saratoga,
and if You can spare me 1 will go,
too
"And the business in Hartford? |
should advise yol to attend to all
matters belonging to yolr aunt's es-
tate as soon as possible, Frank.
'It may keep me in Hartford a
month, said Frank, disconsolateIy.
Coleman Burke looked with pity
ing affection at his young relative
such boy yet in many aatters, though
he had reached "man's estate"
''A month that may settle your
whole fortune, he said. Remember
men do not fall heir to hundred
thousand dollars more than once i'll
lifetime. "
81 suppose must go.
''It will be best. Besides" added
Uncle Coleman, dryly, ''it will be a
good test OF your lady loves con
stancyp'
II am not afraid Of her forgetting
me, said Frank, loftily.
"Yon ase actually engagel?'
Certainly l bought a diamond
ring at --'s yesterday and put it
on her taper finger last evening.
"Heml Well, the fool-killeg hasn't
been here lately, that's certain. There,
be off aud let me finish my paper in
peace. You will go to Hartford?"
'.Yes."
But after his nephew left him, Cole
man Burke let his paper lie idly upon
his lap, while he fell in;o fit OF mus
ing, often interrupted by impatient
CALCULATIONS. He was mal, as he
had said, past so, and he had been
chillless wid5wer for 30 years, while
four little graves beside that of hi,
wife recorded the heart history of his
life.
When he had lived lonely and sin
cere mourner for many long years, his
brother and wife died, leaving Frans,
curly-headed boy, to the care of his
Uncle Coleman. All the long sealed
fountains of love in the desolated
heart opened to pour out their alec
tion upon the child. He was truly
the very sunlight Of the old mans ex-
istenee, and though his manner had
been cynical, his heart had been aorely
wrung by the announcement OF his en-
gagement, but not from any Ialtry
jealousy or mercenaey motive. Hal
Frank loved true, tender woman,
were she beggr, his uncle would
have given her fathers love and vel
conc. But by the light of his own
brief married happiness he read the
misery in store for his nephew il he
married Lucia Frothingham, flirt, ex-
travagant and selfish. How to save
him was costing the old man torturing
thought. Active opposition would
only strengthen what was now but
boyish infatuation, and yet saved he
must be. Suddenly light broke over
Coleman Burke's face, and he rose
from his chair and went to long mir
ror in the room. The reflection was
not calculated to waken vanity, yet the
old man smiled, well pleased
'sIf can only carry it out, it will be
proof positive. he thought.
Short, fat, nearly bald, with spec
tacles and a cane, Coleman Burke was
certainly a strong contrast to the tall,
handsome fellow who had won Lucia
for his promised bride, yet he said
aloud:
'l'll cut him outl'
A week later all the fashionables at
the c. hotel, Saratoga, knew
that Coleman Burke was intending to
take a wife. What bird first bore the
news upon the scented air no one
c, uld have told you, bnt thole was no
lack OF information about tho elderly