Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-10-06
ALMOST H..
A BURGLARY
-e~9-
-GH8-
An Old Lady Has Her Way
end Her Niece Has
a Wedding Present.



Mrs. Driscoll had a mind Of her own.
Some uncharitable people went so far
as to say that If she had not had go
much mind her husband might have
been living today. Be that as it may,
he died and left her sole mistress of O
handsome property. with no one to op-
pose her will.
She adopted one Of his nieces and
loved her as well as she could lovo any
one but herself.
The niece grew up a winsome lassie
md bad lovers, as maidens will.
Luckily her choice was her aunt's as
well, and the day was set for her mar
rage with Harry Winship without OPP
position, the only condition being that
they should return to Mrs. Driscolls
home after n brief wedding tour.
"WeI, Kate" said the stately lady
the day before the wedding, 'every-
thing is ready. and l must cay that !
never saw preparations more complete
not even for your uncle's funeral,
poor mani / always meant to give you
q handsome marriage portion. So get
your hat. Wen go to the bank"
What girl would delay under similar
circumstances3
The carriage was speedily ordered.
and soon stopped before the bank.
Except the bank officials, there was
In the building only George Travis, n
Of Kate's discarded s%uitors, who was
getting an insignificant check cashed.
Mrs. Driscoll was not slow to see an
opportunity to flutter her sails, as her
worthy husband had been accustomed
to cay.
Drawing her checkbook. she smiling
" wrote a check for e.. 900 and pre-
seDted it to the cashier.
Payable to Miss Kato-a marriage
portion. l presume. All, very generous
Of you'll Mics Kate, l congratulate
you," said the cashier. ''Shall / make
the new book in your w namef"
"She wants no book-at least moi
yet" retorted MrR Driscoll sharply.
when l give a thing. l give 1t. ]
want good, solid money for that chech
bright. yellow gold"
"But-why-you live fully a mile
from a neighbor. Have you-do you
think Of the temptationf" he said hest
tatingly.
Ibid l ask your adviceH" snapped
Mrs. Driscoll. al am able to take care
Of my own property, and II 1t win moi
break the bank l want 1t in gold"
"Certainly. madam. My conscience
is clear II you wake up to Hnt
yourself murdered tomorrow morning
This bank can pay ten times that sun
at sight. madam" was the dignihet
reply, to which Mrs. Driscoll listened
In curt silence.
The cashier went into the vault
closing the door behind him.
George Travis, having counted tn,
money received on his check, went on
without a glance at the two ladies'
''ThereI Now I reckon Travis Begin
TO realize what he has lost, nodded
Mrs. DriscolL
Kate blushed slightly.
"But, aunt" she said uneasily
''wouldn't II be better for me to take
book with the money left to my credit
Harry will not be here until tomorrow
and-and think Of the riskl 1t Is un
Gafe."
GLOW long Is 70 since / came TO b,
told my duty by a miss Of 1877 breathe(
Mrs. Driscoll scornfully. "What a cow
ard you arel If you don't want tn,
money, say so. and I'll let 1t remain
where 1t Is II you do want 1t. hole
POUR tongue and help me take care o
It until l can give you both into Harr,
Winship's keeping"
Further conversation YVES prevented
by the cashiers return
He carried a strong iron boz.
count tit" commanded Mrs Dris
coll
One by one the golden coins wer'
counted under her admiring eyes
"There. that is money! That is hk'
a wedding giftI' she CALCULATED In
satisfied tone.
Better let me give you a receipt 70
Il and put II into the safe tonight,
suggested the cashier.
''Put II into my ~carriagel" was tn
sharp order to the bank porter.
The man obeyed and watched with
puzzled face the carriage ont Of sight
''She beats all l ever saw" he said
II don't wonder her husband died"
Meanwhile Mrs. Driscoll returne'
home well satisfied with the world an'
herself In particular.
She had had her own way.
"Eshall not put this under my Pill