The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-10-05
with you. While cherish the i'm
preston that you were lured into this
unhappy marriage

/
'yet | cannot accept this as any excuse
for your undutiful conduct. Tonight
change my WILL and you may rest
assured that your name will be passed
over with the smallest possible fnan-
cial consideration. prefer to have
you understand this here and now. 1t
will prevent you and your new friends
from cherishing any false hopes. This
is all | have to say, and no reply will
be expected. Abel Mitchell"
The young girl drew the sheet from
the machine and. bringing is forward
laid IL on the old mans desk. Abel
glanced it through
"a beautiful copy" he said and care
fully folded it. Then he placed it III
an envelope and dipped pen in ink
II do not know his address, he said
and knit his brows.
The girl at the end of the desk ex.
tended her hand.
"If you have no objection" ehC
quietly said, II will deliver it to him in
person"
The old man looked up at the faiI
| lace beuuluS over Hlill'
"Why, who are your he cried.
Il am Alice Mitchell" said the young
girl.
"Mitchell" repeated Abel duly
"M-my sons wife. And what But
the ugly words would not come He
could not utter them in the light OF
those gentle eyes will you be seat
edY' he lamely added
THANK you. no." said the girl. 81
| have but few words to say; they will
not detain you long" Abers gaze
! dropped to the letter and the will and
a sarcastic smile twisted his mouth.
No no." the girl quickly added. Il
! have not come to plead with you. You
are quite wrong to imagine such a
! thing And you were quite wrong, too,
to insult me as you did in that letter.
He looked up again quickly. There
were tears in the gentle eyes. And
there was a CLINT of fire in them too.
You insulted me and you insulted my
dear father. | have no mother She
paused moment. when YOU insinu-
ated that my father was mercenary in
| this matter, you did him a cruel wrong.
He was bitterly opposed TO our marry
ing without your consent. | disobeyed
my father too, But it was not for your
money This letter will bring us no
surprise"
The old man dropped his eyes be
meath her roproachful gaze.
perhaps | was hasty,' he slowly
said. but the provocation was great"
Then he quickly added, But knowing
as you did that opposed the wedding.
and your father opposed it, too. why
did you permit yourself to marry my
boy?'
~ could make it clear to you, |
think" said the girl gently, "if you
loved your boy
The old man trembled. If he loved
his boy. All that was near and dear
| to him-all that was left to him of
kith and kin. The babe that dying
wife had solemnly placed in his pater-
nal arms. If he loved lis boy!- He
drew a long breath and stared hard At
the blank envelope on the desk before
him.
"And now" said the young girl, Il
only want to add that | think jim WAS
quite wrong in crossing your wishes.
He might have waited. l wanted him
to wait But he is so proud, so self
willed. | am very sorry that | should
be the means of separating you, and
II am quite sure am not worth the
great sacrifice my dear-my husband
has made"
Abel was quite sure there were tears
in her eyes again, but he did not look
up.
"Where is Jim now?' he asked. Then
he smiled Rrimly And why are You
not enjoying your-your wedding
tour?"
"There was a vacancy in the bank
where my father is employed" said
the girl, land father secured it for jim.
His duties began today. Perhaps we
will take our wedding journey later.
We have to look out carefully for the
main chance now. you know"
and you didn't expect to fall back
on my dollars" said the old man
Not a penny of them" quickly re
piled the girl.
The old man fdgeted in his chair
and why not?' he asked
81 think you understand" said the
girl, and her gaze dropped to the let
ter on the desk.
"Does Jim know you are heref"
mo. At least he didn't know was
coming. Father will tell him to meet
me at the corner at o'clock. must
GO
Wait" said the old man quickly. He
looked ut her Scarchngly She met his
gaze with II smile. Her mind was on
jim.
Abel deliberately put the will back In
its envelope and the envelope in its
piseonholc. Then he picked up the
letter in its unaddressed envelope, tore
1t into minute PARTICLES and tossed
them into the waste basket
I've changed my mind" he softly
muttered.
He pulled down his desk cover with
a bang and reached for his hat
There" he said I'm ready" Then
ne added. "Will you give me your arm.
my dear?' As they passed through the
doorway he paused.
Il think, Alice" he said. that you
and | are going to be very good friends.
And now we must hunt up Jim and
take him home with us" Cleveland
Plain Dealer.