Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-10-18
Abel Mitchell's Will.

0 BEL MITCHELL called to his
A typewriter.
you may go, Miss Norris
he said. He did not look up from the
papers before him.
The young woman turned to the
clock with a little start Of surprise.
1t was only 4:3O. But she quietly put
on her hat, and with n murmured good
night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
of her skirts with a thoughtful express
sion. There was sensible girl A
girl who never grated on his feelings
A girl who asked no useless questions.
She had reached an age Of discretion
II Jim was determined to marry a poor
girl why couldn't he have taken one
like Emma Morris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
drew forth a folded paper.
Jim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. Perhaps 1 didn't
invite his confidence. l doA't know.
Now he has disobeyed my direct COM
mand. That can't be overlooked
When he told me about this girl
said wait How longT he asked. I'm
til you reach years Of discretion l
cried, and turned away. Jim is "a.
Twenty-four. And married at q.
Yes. and ran away, too. But 1t was
different with me. My father had moth
ing to give me. 1 was quite independ-
ent. He was glad to have me shift
for myself. Jim's father is rich man.
Jim's father has given him dollars
where my father begrudged me pen
nies. Jim owes me filial obedience
He has disobeyed me to his bitter
cost"
He unfolded the paper that he had
taken from the envelope and ran his
keen gray eye down the closely writ
ten lines.
pretty face" he murmured. Let him
stand by the consequences Who Is
she? What is she? 1t matters not.
No doubt they trapped him into this
marriage. "A rich mans son. they
chuckled. But they'll find they're fool
cd. Father he said, 4 am to be mar
ried tomorrow night VIII you come
with me to the weddingY turned on
my heel. Then 1 looked back. You
know the price you payT cried. Yes,
= s1s6; -w,.1ss-ss WIZ Ms I'D hi9a
up. I know. Good-by and God bless
you He asked blessing on me! Ha,
ha, ha; that's too rich! But he'll get
evil for good this time I'll cut him
of with a dollar. Let him sup on
herbs for a while. That'n take the
veneer from loves young dream. I'll
draw up a new will at home tonight
and have 1t witnessed before 1 sleep.
And to let him know what his foolish
fancy has cost him. I'll write him a
letter-a letter he can show to his new
relatives. That's the thing-a letter"
He bent down with his head upon
his hand and his eyes upon the paper.
A rustic Of skirts In the doorway drew
his attention. He did not look up. 1t
was a way he had.
''Ah, Miss Norris" he said, back
againY' He had quite forgotten that
he had sent her home.
The young girl In the doorway did
not answer. Her bright eyes were fix
ed upon the old man. She expected
him to look up. If he had done SO he
would have seen a charming vision.
She was a very pretty girIdainty and
neat from the tip Of her new hat to the
tips Of her new shoes. But he did not
look up.
"Just In time" he added 81 want
to dictate a letter before you &C."
He paused, and the young girl, as If
seized with a sudden fancy, quietly
stepped into the room and seated her
self at the typewriter.
"You have been with us SO long, Miss
Norris" the old man continued, that
We view you as a. confidential agent
Besides, this will be public property
very soon. I am going to write to my
son. Last night he married an un-
known girl against my wishes. l am
going to tell him that wash my hands
of him and his; that tonight change
my will, cutting him Off with a soli-
tary dollar. Are you readyY'
The girl at the typewriter gave the
instrument a preliminary click or two.
James MITCHELL" began the old man,
''as you have seen fit to disobeY me
to cast my fatherly wishes In my teeth,
! desire you to know that I have no
wish to hold further communication
with you. While cherish the impress
sion that you were lured into this un-
happy marriage"
The typewriter stopped.
Unhappy marriage" the told man
repeated, and the clicking recon-
menced; yet l cannot accept this ss
any excuse for your undutiful conduct.
Tonight 1 change my will, and you
may rest assured that your name win
be passed over with the smallest pos
sible financial consideration. I pre-
fer to have you understand this here
and now. 1t will prevent you and
your new friends from cherishing any
false hopes. This is all 1 have to say.
and NO reply will be expected.
ABEL MITCHELL"
The young girl drew the sheet from
the machine, and bringing it forward
laid 1t on the old mans desk. Abel
glanced 1t through.
"A beautiful copy" he said, and care
fully folded It. Then he placed 1t in an
envelope and dipped pen In ink.
Il do not know his address," he said.
and knit his brows.
The girl at the end Of the desk ex-
tended her hand.
III you have no objection" she quiet
ly said, "I will deliver 1t to him in per-
son."
The old man looked up at the fair
face bending over him.
why, who are your he cried.
q am Alice Mitchell" said the young
girl
"MitcheIlw repeated Abel DULY.
"M-my sons wife! And what" but
tho uGiy words would not come. He