Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-05-25
AMY'S FATAL MISTAKE.

the gay with ner OLD friend anu
schoolmate. Amy Grant. The two
girls were talking on the veranda and
presented as strong contrast rs two
good-looking girls could do. Jessie
had a sweet and mild expression
while Amy. although her features
were perfect. was so naughty and
self-willed that she was disliked by
everybody.
Just think of it. Jessie said Amy.
I've had two proposals to-day, and
really don't know which 10 accept
Ii is enough TO puzzle any girl This
morning Jack Manton proposed. and |
received a letter from Ralph Fulton
soon after saying he would come 1t
once if l would promise 10 marry
him"
Wen, surely you have prefer
ence. said Jessie. opening her BIZ,
blue eyes.
'.Of course. | like Jack hundred
times better than Ralph: lie j. 50
Young and handsome; but, you see. he
has only a small salary. Ralph has
no money at present. but expects 70
become heir 10 a large fortune when
his aunt dies. She is failing rapidly,
and the doctor says it is impossible
for her to recover
Well" said Jessie. "as She is still
alive. which one have you promised
to marry?"
Both" said Amy, with smile of
triumph Il will fix the date at about
three weeks from to-day. and if at
that time she is still alive l can easily
quarrel with Ralph. and Jack will be
no wiser. What can be the difficulty
if neither knows anything about the
other?"
''Do you really mean it, or are you
only joking? Surely you couldn't act
so mean"
Jessie knew Jack Manton wor-
shipped her cousin as an ideal of per-
lection. and it was painful to her to
think of the way she was repaying his
devotion
Amy smiled and thought Jessie
only envious of her good fortune
which gave her two lovers to choose
from.
Jessie went home soon after supper
/ and left Amy alone to think of her
/ position She went to bed early as
usual and fell asleep as soon as her
head touched the pillow. but not 50
with Jessie. for her innocent mind
was troubled thinking of sharing that
secret But she had always been
Amy's contidant. and she must keep it,.
1 Jack was constantly pressing Amy
co.. 4bni,. Inn 1aJiata mar
riage, but she always had some ex-
| cuse ready.
/ Her plan did not work as smoothly
/ as she had expected. for Ralph's aunt
/ was still alive when he called for Il
! decided answer. She made an excuse
| about the arrangement of her trous-
seau. SO he agreed to call in few
J days.
Her anxiety ended AT last, however
The following morning she noticed in
the morning paper the name among
the deaths
She was thinking of an easy way 10
break off the engagement with Jack
as She walked slowly homeward from
the postoffice, when she met him com
ing toward her home. and he turned to
accompany her.
Her mind was tn. ied thinking Of
some way to iareht 4 quarrel with
him. when h. proposed walk 10 che
park she accepted willingly, for the
sooner she sent him away the better
He WIS the first t. speak
Il heard this morning YOU are en-
gagged to Ralph Fulton rs wei as my
self. he said. in : quiet but iirm
tone
WHO told yon:" She asked excited
~. = suppose Jessie Gardiner was
kind enough 10 tell YOU
III Miss Gardiner promised to keep
your secret She has kept her word .
he said. coldly. IF you wish to know
who gave me my information, it was
Fulton himself. As you know, he and
were intimate friends mt school. and
for the sake of old friendship he
wrote 10 tell me of his intention. in
closing an invitation to attend his
wedding.
This was anything but what she OK
pected, for she meant TO have every
thing her own way OF course. She
couldn't deny that she was engaged
TO Ralph. for Jack held the letter in
his hand
4 am only too glad to find out your
deceit" he said. Il am going away
tomorrow TO New York 50 | will not
be here to disturb your arrangements
have only been waiting for your
final answer"
The following week Ralph and Amy
were married i'll great splendor.
In n few weeks after the will was
brought to court and it was found the
fortune had been left to charitable in
situations, for Ralph had led a reck-
less life and had been warned and
threatened many times by his aunt
but he took no heed. He knew She
had no other living relative. and il
would be his anyway
In a few months after the wedding
Jack came home on a visit. ana while