The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-10-24
The Last Will Of
Abel Mitchell.
He Changed His Mind as to the
Disposition of His Property.
BY w. r. ROSE.

wO%o%o% %o&o%oxo%o %o~o%o%
Abel Mitchell called to his type
writer.
You may go, Miss Norris" he said.
He did not look up from the papers be-
fore him.
The young woman turned to the
clock with a little start of surprise.
1t was only 4:3O. But she quietly put
on her hat and with a murmured good
night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
of her skirts with 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
poor girl, why couldn't he have taken
one like Emma Morris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
drew forth a folded paper.
"Jim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. perhaps l didn't
invite his confidence. l don't know.
Now he has disobeyed my direct COM
mand. That can't be overlooked.
When he told me about this girl,
said wait. How long? he asked. I'm
til you reach years of discretionp /
cried and turned away. Jim is "a.
Twenty And l married at 81
Yes. and ran away too. But it was
different with me. My father had
nothing to give me. l was quite indie
pendent. He was glad to have me
shift for myself. Jim's father is a
| rich man. Jim's father has given him
| dollars where my father begrudged
| me pennies. Jim owes me filial obedi.
ence. He has disobeyed me to his bit
| ter cost"
He unfolded the paper that he had
taken from the envelope and ran his
| keen gray eye down the closely written
] lines.
He has given up his father for a
pretty face" he murmured. LET him
stand by the consequences. Who is
she? What is she? 1t matters not. Nc
doubt they trapped him into this mar
riage. "A rich mans son. they chuc
kled. But they'll find they're fooled
Father he said, L am to be married
tomorrow night. Will you come with
me to the wedding?' | turned on my
heel. Then looked back. You know
the price you may payY l cried. Yes
father he said, with his head high up
I know. Goodby, and God bless you.
He asked blessing on me! Ha, ha
ha; that's too rich! But he'll get evi
for good this time. I'll cut him of
with dollar. Let him sup on herb:
for awhile. That'n take the veneer
from loves young dream. I'll draw VI
a new will at home tonight and have i
witnessed before | sleep. And to Ie
him know what his foolish fancy ha'
cost him I'll write him letter-a lettel
he can show to his new relatives
That's the thing-the letter."
He bent down with his head upol
his hand and his eyes upon the paper
A rustic of skirts in the doorway drew
his attention. He did not look up. l
was a way he had.
"Ah, Miss Norris" he said, 'bacl
again| He had quite forgotten tha
he had sent her home
The young girl in the doorway di,
not answer. Her bright eyes were fix
ed upon the old man. She expected hin
to look up. If he had done so, he woul
have seen charming vision. She wa
a very pretty girl-dainty and nea
from the tip of her new hat to the tip
of her new shoes. But he did not loo
up.
''Just in time," he added 81 wan
to dictate a letter before you 60"
He paused, and the young girl, as
seized with a sudden fancy, quietl
stepped into the room and seated hel
self at the typewriter.
, ''You have been with us so long, Mis-
, Morris" the old man continued, "tha
D we view you as confidential agen
> Besides, this will be public propert
, very soon. | am going to write to m
son. Last night he married an III
known girl against my wishes. l al
going to tell him that | wash m
hands of him and his; that tonight
change my will, cutting him off wit
a solitary dollar. Are you ready?"
. The girl at the typewriter gave til
instrument a preliminary click or tw,
James Mitchell" began the oil
man, las you have seen fit to disobe
me, to cast my fatherly wishes in N
teeth, | desire you 10 know that | hay
no wish to hold further communicate
with you. While | cherish the in
preston that you were lured into tn
unhappy MARRIAGE
The typewriter stopped.
Unhappy marriage" the old man r
peated. and the clicking recommence
''yet | cannot accept this as any eXcu'
for your undutiful conduct. Tonigl
l change my will, and you may re
assured that your name will be passt
\ over with the smallest possible fina
/ cial consideration. | prefer to ha'
7 you understand this here and now.
| will prevent you and your new frien,