The Republican journal., 1898-10-20
A PECULIAR MARRIAGE.

New ork.
He was widower, and the manage
lpent Of his home was entrusted to Flora
Floringer, the Stepdaughter of his deceas-
ed brother Edwin.
Flora was seventeen years old, pretty
and efficient, and MI. Smith in his pecul-
lar way, was very fond OF her.
Justin $ chief assistant IN farm work
was his only son John, twenty-five years
old John was as sturdy as his father,
but was more sensible and generous
hearted
1t was rainy day. and John Smith was
industriously repairing broken harness.
He sat on A log in the shed. The gentle
patter of RAIN on the root seemed to have
a soothing effect ON the Young man, and
he alternately wbistled and sang snatches
of song. But his work became monoton-
Gus, and he was feeling bit lonesome,
when Flora entered the shed and stood be-
side him. She smiled in a roguish way,
and kept one hand behind her back, as if
she held something she wished to conceal.
''What favor do you want now, Flora?'
asked John, good naturedly.
Il want you TO fill the box in the
kitchen with wood
"But am | 10 have no reward? ! rather
suspect from your attitude that you have
something tor me. .
II must have your promise that you
will bring in the wood before l will tell
you"
Nonsense. You know IN do anything
fol- You"
III you're sure you'll be rewarded,
you should add"
I'm add it, then, just to please you,"
Ietolted John with laugh.
You re SO good IN not keep you
waiting longer.
Flora produced rose, and, as a slight
blush swept over her fair cheeks, she Slip
ped the flower into a buttonhole of his
vest, John caught her hands as She was
about 10 step back, and his handsome
eyes We're full OF ardor
This can not be all my reward" he
said, in low voice, tIemuIous with feel
ing.
''Of course it is. Let me go"
The alarmed girl began to struggle and
to blush violently. But the hands that
could hold a plough firmly for hours be-
hind a pair OF strong horses We're fully
equal to the present emergency.
This is the only way to thank you
properly" cried John, as he suddenly
drew the girl toward him and imprinted a
kiss.
Il think you're real mean, John
Smith, " said Flora in as indignant tone
as she could summon.
Il know | am, but | can help it he
rejoined.
er, She cried, as he reluctantly released
her.
Then I'll stay with you.'' And he
ran by her size.
II m sorry l gave you the rose You'll
never have another chance to Get the best
OF me. ~
Then I'll take the last chance, Flora;
be mine and I'll be yours"
No, l thank you"
y GU don mean il, cried tile young
man AS he caught her and bestowed an
other kiss.
"You are my prisoner" he murmured
tendelly.
"How can | obtain my release?'
only by promising to be my wife. -
Il promise"
What's all this kissing and fooling
mean" cried rough voice.
The young man looked up in a startled
way lie knew he had been caught bv
bis father. In his haste and rapture as 4
lover, John had thrown caution to The
winds and had forgotten thar he might be
obseM ed III Inns act If ardent vooing.
at means that Fora has promised to
become my wife" said John. frankly
and fearlessly.
"Neu, L m sorry to hear it, for I'm
afraid it will be necessary fcr me to make
you seek another situation than the one
on this farm, repeated justin. glumlv.
II think know what is in your mind -
said his son.
You probably do. If you think I'm
going to give up my hold on the Edwin
smith farm in a hurry, you We made the
olS mistake OF your life. The will. as
neither you nor Flora can have forgotten.
LETT Edwin farm 20 be unGer my control
during my life, after which it will become
Flora property. 1t provided that the
only way she can receive If sooner is for
her TO marry before she : twentv-one
years old. If she marries before that age
she is to obtain the farm outright at once.
Now, | am supposed to know, and do
know, good deal more than YOU and
Flora, and my judgment is that I can
manage the farm my brother left good
deal better than any one else can. at least
until you two are as old and sensible as
you ought to be, when it is time for me to
de. 1t IS next to this farm and larger
ana better one Than this one is, and [ can
manage the two farms together with more
pfo1t and benefit to all of US than any one
else can. I've no objection to you marry
ing Flora after she's twenty one. Indeed. |
calculated hat such marriage would
De the thing to expect, the proper thing
1or you both, provided you could wait
until the right time. But nothing sud-
Gen or lnJudcious will be permitted by
me-
Now, John, if you'll promise solemn
ly-and L know your word can be depend
ed upon-not to marry Flora until the |
DAY after her twenty first birthday, you
can stay here If not, go to Florida and |
help your uncle Theodore manage his
orange grove. You must not leave Flor
IDA Tor tour years, or until Flora is TWEEN
ty-one years old If you do leave the |
state before that time, as al unmarried |
man, and | can find out if you do, IN dis
inherit You.
But if you will remain there, as YOU
ought to, until the end of the four wears.
you can marry Flora. l shall be glad to
have you, in fact, you and she can live
here on the other farm, and | IL manage
both farms, with your assistance. as long
as | may live.
~ on see, I've had suspicion as to
what might happen, and I've got everv
thing well planned in advance. By put
ting you in Florida, under proper restric-
tons, and keeping watch over Flora. I