The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-08
ABEL MITCHELL'S WILL

! ne NOullS NOIlldl luIntu W Nut
clock with a little start of surprise.
1t was only $50. But she quietly put
on her hat, and with murmured good
night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
of her skirts with thoughtful express
sion. There was a sensible girl A
girl who asked no useless questions.
She had reached the age of discre-
tion. If Jim was determined to marry
D poor girl why couldn't ne have taken
one like Emma Morris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
drew forth a folded paper
Jim was confidential with me-" he
crumbled. perhaps l didn't invite
his confidence. I don't know. Now
be has disobeyed my direct command.
That can't be overlooked. When he
told me about this girl I said wait
How long?' he asked. Until you reach
years of discretion. cried. and turned
away lin is "a. And l married at 21
Yes, and ran away. too. But it was
different with me. Ny father had
nothing to give me. was quite inde-
pendent He was glad to have me
shift for myself. Jim's father has
given him dollars where my father be-
Crudged me pennies. Jim owes me
tilial obedience. He has disobeycd me
to his bitter cost"
He unfodcd the paper that he had
taken from the envelope and ran his
keen gray eye down the closely written
lines
He has given mp his father for a
pretty face" he murmured. Let him
ctand by tho consequences. Who is
| She? What is she? 1t matters not.
No doubt they trapped him in 10 this
| marriage. y rich mans SON. they
| Chuckled But they'll find they're fool
| ID. Father he said i am to be mar
ried tomorrow night. Will you come
with me to the wedding | turned on
my heel Then | looked back. You
| know the price You pay?' | cried. Yes,
father he said. with his head high up.
I know. Goodbye and God bless YOU
lie asked a blessing on me, lIO. ha.
ha; that's too rich! Rut he'll get evil
for good this time I'll cut him off
with a dollar Let him sup on herbs
for awhile. Thatll take the veneer
from loves young dream. I'll draw up
ii new will a. home tonight and have
it witnessed before I sleep And to let
him know what his foolish fancy has
cost him TIL write him a lctter--a
letter he can show to his new rela-
tivos. That's the thing-a letter"
He bent down with his head upon
his hand and his eyes upon the pa
per. \ rustic Of skirts in the doorway
drew his attention. lie did not look
up. 1t was a way he had.
'Ah. Miss Morris" he said. back
| again." He had quite forgotten that
| he had sent her homo
| 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 very pretty girl-dainty and
/ reat 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 Il want
| to dictate a letter before you GO"
! He paused. and the girl. as if seized
| with a sudden fancy, quietly stepped
! into the room and seated herself at
| the typewriter.
You have been with us so long. Miss
| Morris" the old man continued, "that
| we view you as confidential agent
! Besides. this will be public property
| very soon. | am going to write t. NY
| son. Last night he married an un-
| known girl against my wishes. 7 am
| going to tell him that wash my hands
| Of him and his; that tonight change
| my will, cutting him off with a soli-
/ i1R Hsl1 Az,
The girl at the typewriter gave the
! instrument preliminary click or two
James Mitchell" began the old mar,
| "as YOU have seen ft to disobey me. to
| cast my fatherly wishes in my teeth. I
| desire You TO know that 7 have no wish
! 10 hold further communication with
! you. While 7 cherish the impression
! that YOU We're lured into this unhappy
| marriage"
The typewriter stopped.
Unhappy marriage" the old man re-
| leated, and the clicking recommended.
| 'yet | cannot accept this as any eX-
! cuse for your undutful conduct To-
| night ! change my will, and you may
| rest assured that your name will he
| passed over with the smallest possible
! financial consideration l 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
10 reply will be expected. Abel Nit
chell."
The young girl drew the sheet from
the machine, and bringing it forward
laid it on the old mans desk. Abel
glanced it through,
"a beautiful copy" he said, and
carefully 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 brow
The girl at the end OF the desk ex-
tended her hand.
IF you have no objection" she quiet
ly said, 81 will deliver It to him in per-
SON."
The old man looked up at the fair
face bending over him.
"Why, who are you" he cried.
II 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
| ed?" he lamely added.
THANK you, no." said the girl. 81
have but few words to say: they will
not detain you long" Abels gaze
dropped to the letter and the will and
a sarcastic smile twisted his mouth.
mo, no." the girl quickly added. 81
| have not come to Dlaad with Won Won