Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-10-07

The typewriter stopped
"Unhappy marriage. the old
man repeated. and the clicking
recommended. yet | cannot
accept this rs any excuse for
your untruthful conduct. To-
night ! change my will. and
you may rest assured that your
name will be passed over with
the smallest possible financial
consideration. | prefer to have
Won understand this here and
now. 1t will prevent you and
your new friends from cherish
ing any false hopes. This is all
| have To say. and no reply will
be expected Abel Mitchell. :"
The young girl drew the sheet
from the machine and. bringing
il 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 4 pen in ink.
Il do not no his address. he
said, and knit his brows.
The girl ut the end of the
desk extended her hand.
IF You have no objection. :
She quietly said, Il will deliver
ii to him in person.
The old man looked up ut the
fair face bending over him.
why. who are you : he
cried.
Il 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 i'll the light of those
gentle eyes. 'Will you be seat
ed :" he tamely added.
Thank you. no" said the
girl. II have but a few words
To say; they will not detain YOU
long. Abel's gaze dropped to
the letter and the will. and IA
sarcastic smile twisted his
mouth. NO, no. the girl
quickly added. Il have not
come to plead with you. You
are quiet wrong TO imagine
such a thing And YOU were
quite wrong. too. TO insult me
as YOU did in that letter. He
looked up again quickly There
were tears in the gentle eyes.
And there was Il CLINT of fire in
them too.
You insulted me and YOU
insulted my dear father. |
have no mother. She paused
a moment. When YOU insinu-
ated that my father was mer
cenary in this matter. YOU did
him Il cruel wrong He was
bitterly opposed to our marry
ing without your consent. |
diSobcNed my father too. But
it was not for your money.
This letter Will bring us no
surprise"
The old man dropped his eyes
beneath her reproachful gaze.
"PerhapS | was hasty." he
slowly said. but the provoca-
ton was great. Then he
quickly added. But knowing
as YOU did that | opposed the
wedding. and your father oppo-
sed it. too. why did YOU permit
yourself TO marry my boy =
II could make it clear to ' on.
| think" said the girl gently,
IF YOU loved your boy.
The old man trembled. If he
loved his boy. All that was
near and dear to him-all that
was left to him of kith and kin.
Tn" babe that Il dying wife had
solemnly placed in his paternal
arms. If he loved his boy. He
drew a long breath and stared
hard at the blank envelope on
the desk before him.
And now" said the young
girl. II Only want to add that
Mix Jim was quite wrong in
Ttrossing your wishes He might
lgatt0Vaited. | wanted him to
wait. But he is SO proud. SO
lsflfY willed;: | am very sorry
that I should be the means of
sseparahing .yeu.. and II am
quite sure AM not worth the
i'gteat sacrifice my dear
husband 'li, y ind 4 !. has i; rs. made
!,,iAAbel was quite sure there
We're tears. in her eyes again
ihuU 4si did not look up! ~
Where is Jim now ," he
tJe'J "a. 81. +C So &, f".i "a