Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-09
ONE OUT OF SEVEN.
What does this meah?" he asked.

'Reuben-
 She hesitated.
 "Well?"
 T fear-that an obstacle has arisen to our marriage"
 What obstacle could arise?"
 1.-Two hundred thousand dollars have been bequeathed to me on condition that I should not
 "Marry?'
 s'Yes."
 And you, choosing between the two hundred thousand and me, prefer the money"
 Tt is such fortune and have such a desire for It."
 Reuben Austin turning away, left her without a word. It was certainly q strange will, but Benjamip Griffin was strange man. He died bach elor with no particular love for any body and no one had any particular love for him. Benjamin had divided his fortune equally among seven mar riageable widows in the town of Rath- bone, where he resided. He scarcely knew them, for he avoided the sex i'll general, but he knew that they were all anxious to be married again at no distant day.
 The condition was that each should come into possession of her two hun dred thousand in six months, and should continue i'll possession of the same as long as she remained unmar- ried; and in the event of the marriage of one, her share should be equally di- vided among the rest.
 The seven widows walked out of the house. That evening there were seven miserable men in Rathbone. Six re- eeived peremptory orders to cease their attentions. The seventh, a good look ing young man with bright eyes and honest countenanee, called on Mrs. Douglass with what result we have seen.
 The six other widows watched her house to see ii he repeated his visits. They were wishing he would, for her share would then Tall to them. The last week but one before the six months had passed, Reuben Austin was busy in the shop whistling at his work, trying to be merry, though he had lost twenty pounds since he lost his love.
 "Reubenw
 He turned and saw Mrs. Douglass standing in the doorway.
 Reuben, 1 shall not take the money
 Do you prefer me?''
 a'Yes.''
 "Dearestt'
 Before the week was out they were married and the other six reioiced. In a day or two, according to notifica- ton, the heirs would hear from the executor
 Mrs. Austin, late Mrs. Douglass, was summoned with the rest. They found exactly the same company present as on the former reading.
 "A eodieil to the will read six months ago." said the executor, then sealed and not to be opened until now was at- tached. That codieil it is now my business to read to you. It is to be hoped that no one will be unpleasantly disappointed ill view of the terms laid down in said eodicil, which reads thus
 Whereas, l, Benjamin Griffin, hay ing thorough disgust for money con- alterations in matrimonial projects and entertaining a high respect for matrimonial affection and fidelity have made my last will and testament in writing bearing date, etc, and have hereby bequeathed the value of my fourteen hundred thousand dollars to seven widows of, etc, named respec- lively, each, on condition that each shall remain permanently unmarried; ; now 1 do by this, my writing-which l hereby declare to be a codicil to my said will do hereby order and de- clare that my will is that the sum of one hundred thousand be under the provisions stated divided among said, etc, provided each shall, notwith- standing the temptation I have set in her way, remain true to her matri- monial engagement with the gentle man she now lovingly professes to be the choice of her heart.
 e Tn case one or any of the said, etc, should discard or rail to marry said man of her choice, l do hereby order and declare that the said sum or sums shall to her or them be forfeited, and if one or any of the said, etc, remain true to said, etc, share or shares fall ing to the lot of those who proved un- true shall be given to her or them in equal shares
 he hundred thousand dellars then falls to Mrs. Austin, who, I believe is the only one among the within named parties who has adopted the course which secures title to the money bequeathed."
 Six disappointed women filed out of the room. The rest of the fortune was divided among relatives.
 q was so glad that Mrs. Morley, a second cousin of his, got good share, for know she has family to support and is quite poor" said Mrs. Austin to her husband, but am still more glad that I was true to you, dear.'