The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-10-25

CLOCK with little start OF surprise.
1t was only 4.30. But she quietly
put on her hat, and with q murmured
good night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustle
of her skirts with thoughtful ex-
preston. There was n sensible girl.
A girl who never grated on his feel
ings. A girl who asked no useless
questions. She had reached an age
of discretion. If jim was determined
to marry poor girl why couldn't he
have taken one like Emma Morris?
Abel opened heavy envelope and
drew forth q folded paper.
"Jim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. Perhaps didn't
invite his confidence. 1 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.
Until you reach years of discretion
I cried, and turned away. Jim is
twenty-four. Twenty-four. And I
married at twenty-one. Yes, and ran
away, too. But it was different with
me. My father had nothing to give
me. 1 was quite Independent. He
was glad to have me shift for myself.
Jim's father is rich man. Jim's
father has given him dollars where
my father begrudged me pennies.
Jim owes me filial obedience. He
has disobeyed me to his bitter cost"
He unfolded the paper that he had
taken from the envelope aud ran his
keen gray eye down the closely writ
ten lines.
"He has given up his father for q
pretty face," he murmured. "Let
him stand by the consequences. Who
is she? What is she? It matters
not. No doubt they trapped him into
this marriage. "A rich mans son.
they chuckled. But they'll find
they're fooled. Father he said,
I am to be married to-morrow night.
Will you come with inc to the we'd
ding?' I turned on my heel Then
I looked back. 'You know the price
sou pay?' I cried. Yes, father he
said, with his head high up. 4
know. Goodby and Gol bless YOU
He asked a blessing on mel Ha. ha,
ha; that's too richl But he'll get
evil for good this time. I'll cut him
off with a dollar. Let him sup on
herbs for while. That'll take the
veneer from loves young dream.
I'll draw up new will at home to-
night and have it witnessed before I
sleep. And to let him krow what his
foolish fancy has cost him, I'll write
him letter-a letter he can show to
his new relatives. That's the thing
letter."
He bent down with his head upon
his hand and his eyes upon the paper.
A rustic of skirts in the doorway
drew his attention. He did not look
up. 1t was way he had.
"Ah, Miss Norris" he said, "back
again" He had quite forgotten that
he had sent her home.
The young girl in the doorway did
not answer. Her bright eyes were
fixed upon the old man. She expected
him to look up. If he had done so
he would have seen charming vision.
She was very pretty girl-dainty and
neat from the tip of her new hat to the
tips OF her new shoes. But he did not
look up.
"Just in time, he added. ct want
10 dictate letter before you CO."
He paused, and the young girl, as il
seized with sudden fancy, quietly
stepped into the room and seated her.
self at the typewriter.
"You have been with us SO long,
Miss Norris" the old man continued,
"that we view you us confidential
agent. Besides, this will be public
property very soon. I am going to
write to my son. Last night he mar.
ried an unknown girl against my
wishes. I am going to tell him that
] wash my hands of him and his; that
Tonight l change my will, cutting him
off with q solitary dollar. Are you
ready?"
The girl at the typewriter gave the
instrument preliminary click or two.
''James MITCHELL" began the ole
man, "as you have seen fit to disobey
me, to cast my fatherly wishes in my
teeth, desire you to know that
have no wish to hold further com
munication with you. While I cherisl
the impression that you were luret
into this unhappy marriage"
The typewriter stopped.
"Unhappy marriage" the old mar
repeated, and the clicking recon
menced; s'yet / cannot accept this n,
any excuse for your undutiful con
duct. Tonight I change my will
and you may rest assured that you
name will be passed over with tn,
smallest possible financial considera
tion. prefer to have you under
stand this here and now. 1t will pre-
vent you and your new friends from
cherishing any false hopes. This i
all have to say, and no reply will b.
expected ABEL MITCHELL"
The young girl drew the sheet from
the machine, and bringing it forwar.
laid it on the old mans desk. Abe
glanced it through.
"A beautiful COPY" he said, AM
~orafs,11~ fo1s1od a. frhnu Ia ~ -