The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-10-10
The Last Will Of
Abel Mitchell.
he Changed His Mind as to the
Disposition Of His Property.
BY W. R. ROSE.

fore him.
The young woman turned to the
clock with little start of surprise
1t was only 4:3O. But she quietly put
on her hat and with a murmured good
night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
of her skirts with a thoughtful express
sion. There was a sensible girl, girl
who never grated on his feelings, a
girl who asked no useless questions
She had reached an age of discretion
If Jim was determined to marry q
poor girl, why couldn't he have taken
one like Emma Morris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
drew forth folded paper.
"Jim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. Perhaps / didn't
invite his confidence. l don'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 longY he asked. I'm
til you reach years Of discretiong |
cried and turned away. Jim is "a.
Twenty four. And l married at 81.
Yes, and ran away too. But 1t was
different with me. My father had
nothing to give me. was quite indie
pendent. He was glad to have me
Shift for myself. Jim's father is a
rich man. Jim's father has given him
dollars where my father begrudged
me pennies. Jim owes, me filial obedi-
ence. He has disobeyed me to his bit
ter cost"
He unfolded the paper that he had
taken from the envelope and ran his
keen gray eye down the closely written
lines.
He has given up his father for a
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 mar
riage. A rich mans son. they chuc-
killed.. But they'll find they're fooled.
Father he said am to be married
tomorrow night. VIII you come with
me to the weddingY I-turned on my
heel. Then looked back. You know
the price you may payY cried. Yes,
father he said, with his head high up.
I know. Goodby, 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 off
with a dollar. Let him sup on herbs
for awhile. That'll take the veneer
from loves young dream. I'll draw up
new will at home tonight and have it
witnessed before sleep. And to let
him know what his foolish fancy has
cost him I'll write him letter-a letter
he can show to his new relatives.
That's the thing-the 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 way he had.
"Ah, Miss Norris" he said, back
again !" He had quite forgotten that
he had sent her home.
Che 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 girl-dainty 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 letter before you CO."
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. am going to write to my
son. Last night he married an I'M
known girl against my wishes. l am
going to tell him that / wash nv
hands Of him and his; that tonight /
change my will, cutting him off with
a solitary dollar. Are you ready?''
The girl at the typewriter gave the
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 have
no wish to hold further communication
with you. While | cherish the i'm
preston that you were lured into this
unhappy marriage
The typewriter stopped
Unhappy marriage" the old man re-
peated, and the clicking recommended,
''yet l cannot accept this as any excuse
for your undutiful conduct Tonight
l change my will, and you may rest
assured that your name will be passed
over with the smallest possible finan-
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 1t ON the old mans desk. Abel
glanced 1t through.
"A beautiful copy" he said and care
fully folded it. Then he placed it in
an envelope and dipped a 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.
IF you have no objection" she
quietly said, Il will deliver it to him in
person"
The old man looked up at the fair
face bending over him.
'Why, who are you?' he cried.
81 am Alice Mitchell" said the young
girl.
"AIitchellw 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, viii you be seat
edY' he lamely added.
THANK you, no." said the girl. II
have but few words to say; they will
not detain you long" Abels gaze
dropped to the letter and the will, and
sarcastic smile twisted his mouth.
mo, no. the girl quickly added. Il
have not come to plead with you. You
are quite wrong to fimagine 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
nansed a moment. "When YOU insinu-