The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-19

hsrif q little more wealth. He aid not
think then how. ahculd one day sit
sstyide his shoulders like an old man
Of Ne tea. nor did he think that II was
possible for me to afiict his son. For
obvious reasons, my relations with you
are not 10 intimate as they were with
your worthy father. was evolved out
Of the wheat pit of the board of trade.
Your father was bull. and he merciless.
~ gored both life and fortune out of q
certain bear who was not nimble enough
to get out Of his way" -
"And who was this bearw asked Cor.
don.
"A man named Hepburn"
Amy Hepburn's father?" murmured
the young man, rubbing his hand
across his brow in an effort to remember.
Eyes. Hepburn lost every penny he
had in the world through that disastrous
wheat deal. He was forced into bank
ruptcy and, unable to bear the disgrace,
took his own life. His money went to
increase the store your father left you,
, my boy, and it Is now possible for you
to live in luxury, while Hepburn's wife
and children must struggle on as best
they can. However" and the skeleton
got w and started back to its closet,
lit Is not for me to moralixe. Now that
I've caught myself delivering a homily
Ill just take my departure. Au revoir.
nv aear fellow! .-..
Hating at the closet door the skeleton
waved Its adieu and disappeared within.
Gordon sat in his chair, deep in thought.
while his cigar burned itself out be-
tween his fingers. .I....
At last he got up and shook his broad
shoulders Us though freeing himself Of a
disagreeable burden.
Society has dared me-" he muttered,
"but know my heart now, and Ill do
as pleased"
After Harry Gordon and Amy Hep
burn had been married and had returned
from their honeymoon Harry brought his
bride up stairs to his old bachelors den
and seated her in chair.
"My DEAR" be said, II have a confess
sion to make to you. Ny father once did
your father a grievous wrong, and l
have made myself the happiest fellow
In the world by undoing it. However, as
we are not to have any secrets from each
other, you must know about this"
A loos of establishment came into
Amy's blue eyes as she watched her hus-
band proceed to the closet, throw open
the door and 90 to rummaging about in
side.
what in the world are you looking
for, Harry?' she asked as he returned to
her side.
I'm looking for something that does
not seem to be there-the Gordon family
skeleton, Amy. For the first time in ID
years It is not to be found in that
closet"
Just then q clanking tread was heard
in the hallway without, tho door was
pushed slowly ajar, and the skeleton
limped in, supporting itself on crutch
and looking very much the worse for
wear.
"There 1t Isl" cried Gordon. "What's
the matter with you, old chap7 Here,
sit down. want to make you acquaint-
ed with my wife"
The family skeleton dropped into
chair and shook until it ratified like
score of castanets.
"I'm done for" it groaned. you've
fixed me, young man. just dropped in
to say goodby forever. But don't intro
duce me to your wife. We've met be-
fore"
"That's so, Harry" said Amy. II
know all about this family skeleton of
yours. Don't let it worry you. my dear"
and she threw her soft arms about his
neck. "Let the dead past bury Its dead.
If we are happy, isn't that enough!"
Enough, yes" and he pressed rap
turous kiss upon her fair cheek.
That kiss pronounced the doom of the
Gordon family skeleton. Forthwith it be-
gan to fade int, thin mir, finally vanish
ing and leaving not q wrack behind
Buffalo News.