The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-12
TO CAPTURE
AN HElRESS
(8y CutcI.f Hyne.)
Copyright, 1899, by Cutcliffe Hyne.)

she was born, and the present earl,
who's got the estates, would have to
shell out if she turned up again"
MY owners, in their letter, mentioned
that YOU were a solicitor Then you are
employed by his lordship, sir?"
Mr.. Wenlock laughed. Not much, he
said. Pm on my own hook. Why,
hang it all, captain, you must see that
no man of his own free will would be
idiot enough to resurrect a long-forgot-
ten niece just to make himself into a
beggar."
Il don't see why not sir, if he got to
know she was alive. Some men have
conscienees, and even a lord, | suppose.
is q man"
''Tnis present earl has far too good a
time of it to worry about running
conscience. No, / bet he fights like q
thief for the plumber, however clear a
case we have to show him. And as he's
the man in possession and has plenty Of
ready cash for law expenses, the odds
are he'll turn out too big to worry at
through all the courts, and we shall
compromise. Ia like that best myself
Cash down has a desirable feel about
it."
at has, SIR" said Kettle, with rem
iniscent sigh. but will the other rela
tives of the young lady those that are
employing you. i mean, agree TO that!
Don't / tell you. captain. I'm on my
own hook? There are no other relatives
or ut least none that would take a
ha'p'oth of interest in Teresas get@ng
the estates I've gone into the thing on
sheer spec, and for what | can make
out Of it, and that, please the Lord, will
be the whole lump"
"But how? The young lady may give
you something in her gratitude, OF
course. but you can't expect it all"
81 do, though, and l tell you how I'm
going to get it. / shall marry the fair
Teresa. Simple as tumbling off a
houSe"
Kettle drew himself up stifhy and
walked to the other ind of the bridge
and began ostentatiously to look with
a professional eye over his vessel.
81 don't like the idea of those sort of
marriages. said the little sailor acidly
Wenlock shrugged his shoulders good
humoredly. Neither do l, and If
were a rich man wouldn't have
dreamed of it. Just think of what the
girl probably is; she's been with those
niggers since she was quite a kid. OF
course you'll say there's romance about
the thing. But then / don't care tup-
pence about romance. and anyway, it's
beastly uncomfortable to live with"
81 was not looking at that point Of
view"
Let me tell you now / was fixed"
said Wenlock with burst of confidence
I'D small capital. So qualified as a
solicitor. and put up a doorplate and
waited for a practice. 1t didn't come,
When the news of this girl Teresa came
tell you I just jumped at the chance.
| don't want to marry her, of course:
there are 10 other girls I'd rather have
as a wife; but there was no other way
out of the difficulty, so just swallowed
my squeamishness for good and always
See?'
1T was Miss Teresa Anderson l was
plying" said Kettle, pointedly
''Good Lord, man, why? Isn't it the
finest thing in the world for her?"
''It might be fine to get away from
where she is and land home to find a
nice property waiting. But / don't care
to see woman have husband forced
on her 1t would be nobler of you Mr..
Wenlock to let the young lady get to
England and look around her for awhile
and make her own choice"
I'm too hard up to be noble" said
Wenlock drily. tive not come here on
philanthropy, and marrying that girl is
part of my business. Besides, hang it
ALL man. think of what she is, and
think of what / am" He looked himself
up and down with a half humorous
smile.
STILL" said Kettle, doggedly, 81 don't
like the idea of it"
"rhen let me give you an induce
ment. | said / was not down here on
philanthropy. and / don't suppose you
are either If you'll help this marriage
On in the way | ask. I'll give you 90
pounds"
There's no man living who could do
more usefully with 30 pounds if / saw
my way TO lingering it. / was wonder
ing sir. i'll could earn it honorably Yon
must give me time to think this out, and
I'll try and give you an answer after
tea"