Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1899-10-30
The Last Will of
Abel Mitchell.
he Changed His Mind as to the
Disposition of His Property.
BY w. r. ROSE.


Abel Mitchell called to his type
& writer.
# ''You may go, Miss Norris" he said.
He did not look up from the papers be-
fcre him.
# The young woman turned to the
clock with a little start of surprise.
II was only 4:30. But she quietly put
ION 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 n
ppor girl, why couldn't he have taken
phe like Emma Morris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
rev forth folded paper.
Jim never was confidential with
ne" he grumbled. Perhaps 1 didn't
invite his confidence. 1 don't know
Vow he has disobeyed my direct COM
nand. That can't be overlooked.
When he told me about this girl,
aid wait. How long? he asked. I'm
hl you reach years of discretionr I
ried and turned away. Jim is "a.
Cwenty-fOur. And l married at 81.
Yes, and ran away too. But it was
different with me. Ny father had
hothing to give me. 1 was quite indie
" pendent. He was glad to have me
hift for myself. Jim's father is q
fich man. Jim's father has given him
dollars where my father begrudged
ne pennies. Jim owes me filial obedi-
nee. He has disobeyed me to his bit
er COST
He unfolded the paper that he had
AIKEN from the envelope and ran his
teen gray eye down the closely written
ines.
He has given up his father for a
retty face" he murmured. Let him
tand by the consequences. Who is
he? What is she? 1t matters not. No
oubt they trapped him into this mar
iage. a rich mans son. they chuc-
led. But they'll find they're fooled.
" Father he said, 4 am to be married
m DmorrOw night. Will you come with
M ne to the wedding? l turned on my
eel. Then 1 looked back. You know
he price you may pay? 1 cried. Yes,
ather,' he said, with his head high up.
know. Goodby, and God bless you
lie asked a blessing on me! Ha, ha,
a; that's too rich! But he'll get evil
pr good this time I'll cut him off
nth a dollar. Let him sup on herbs
pr awhile. That'll take the veneer
rom loves young dream. I'll draw up
new will at home tonight and have it
fitnessed before 1 sleep. And to let
m know what his foolish fancy has
bst him I'll write him letter-a letter
can show to his new relatives.
hats the thing-the letter"
He bent down with his head upon
is hand and his eyes upon the paper.
rustic of skirts in the doorway drew
IS attention. He did not look up. 1t
Jas way he had.
"Ah, Miss Norris" he said, back
gain" He had quite forgotten that
had sent her home.
The young girl in the doorway did
pit answer. Her bright eyes were fix
upon the old man. She expected him
look up. If he had done so, he would
I've seen charming vision. She was
very pretty girl-dainty and neat
om the tip Of her new hat to the tips
her new shoes. But he did not look
Just in time" he added. 81 want
dictate letter before you 60"
he paused, and the young girl, as if
Ned with a sudden fancy, quietly
Iepped into the room and seated her.
Il at the typewriter.
You have been with us so long, Miss
orriS," the old man continued, that
N view you as a confidential agent
sides, this will be public property
fy SOON 1 am going to write to my
%. Last night he married an IN
Down girl against my wishes. l am
ing to tell him that 1 wash my
hds of him and his; that tonight 1
Rnge my will, cutting him off with
solitary dollar Are you ready?''
he girl at the typewriter gave the
IS rument a preliminary click or two.
Names Mitchell" began the old
IN, ''as you have seen fit to disobey
IL, to cast my fatherly wishes in my
N 9TH, desire you TO know that l have
wish to hold further communication
#th you. While l cherish the i'm
assion that you were lured into this
happy MARRIAGE
The typewriter stopped.
Unhappy marriage" the old man re-
lied, and the clicking recommended,
IF 1 cannot accept this as any excuse
your undutiful conduct. Tonight
hange my will, and you may rest
bred that your name will be passed
q with the smallest possible finan-
consideration. l prefer to have
n understand this here and now. It
NI r1roT-aDf Won onH ,-0i,r NOW