The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-10-05

peated. and the clicking recommended:
yet cannot accept this as any excuse for
your undutiful conduct. Tonight change
my will. and you may rest assured that
your name will be passed over with the
smallest possible financial consideration I
prefer to have you understand this here
and now. It will prevent you and your new
friends from cherishing any false hopes.
This is all I have to say, and no reply
will be expected.
tABEE MITCHELL
The young girl drew the sheet from the
machine. and. bringing it forward, laid it
on the old mans desk. Abel glanced it
through.
"A beautiful COPY" he said, and care
fully folded it. Then he placed 1t in an
envelope and dipped a pen in ink.
II do not know his address," he said,
and knit his brows.
Tie girl at the end of the desk extended
her hand
IF you have no objection" she quietly
said. Il will deliver it to him in person"
The old man looked up at the fair face
bending over him.
'sWhy, who are you!" he cried.
II 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 in the light of those gentle eyes. viii
you be seated?" no lamely added.
'Thank you. no." said the girl. II have
but few words to say: they will not de-
tain you long" Abel's gaze dropped to
the letter and the will. and a sarcastic
smile twisted his mouth. mo, no." the
girl quickly added. IT have not come to
plead with YOU You are quite wrong to
imagine such thing And you were quite
wrong, too. to insult me as you did in
that letter" He looked up again quickly
There we're tears in the gentle eyes. And
there was CLINT OF fire in them, too. "You
insulted me and you insulted my dear
father. I have no mother" She paused q
moment when you insinuated that my
father was mercenary in this matter you
opposed to our marrying without your con-
sent. 1 disobeyed 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 I was hasty," he slowly said,
'but the provocation was great" Then he
quickly added: But, knowing as you did
that 1 opposed the wedding and your father
opposed it, too, why did you permit your
self to marry my boy?"
II could make it clear to you, think"
said the girl gently, eff you loved your
boy
The old man trembled. II he loved his
boy! All that was near and dear to him
all that was left to him of kith and kin.
The babe that 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, 81 only
want to add that I think Jim was quite
wrong in crossing your wishes. He might
have waited. I wanted him to wait. But
he was so proud, SO self willed. I am very
sorry that should be the means of separat-
ing you and IL am quite sure I am not
worth the great sacrifice my dear-my hus-
band-has made
Abel was quite sure there were tears in
her eyes again, but he did not look up.
Where is Jim now" he asked. Then he
smiled grimly. "And why are you not en-
joying your-your wedding tour?"
There was a vacancy in the bank where
my father is employed" said the girl. "and
father secured it for him. His duties began
today. Perhaps we will take our wedding
journey later. We have to look out care
fully for the main chance now you know"
"And you didn't expect to fall back on
my dollars?' said the old man.
mot a penny of them, quickly replied
the girl
The old man fidgeted in his chair.
And why not?" he asked.
81 think you understand" said the girl.
and her gaze dropped to the letter on the
desk
docs Jim know you are here?''
"No. At least he didn't know 1 was
coming. Father will tell him to meet me
at the corner at o'clock. I must co.
Wait" said the old man quickly He
looked at her searchingly She met his
gaze with a smile Her mind was on
Jim.
Abel deliberately put the will back In
it's envelope, and the envelope in it's
pigeonhole. Then he picked up the letter
in its unaddressed envelope. tore it into
minute particles and tossed them into the
waste basket.
1--WE changed my mind" he softly NUT
tered.
He pulled down his desk cover with a
bang and reached for his hat
There" he said, 'I'm ready" Then
he added: will you give me your arm,
my dear?" AS they passed through the
doorway he paused.
II think, Alice" he said, chat you and
I are going to be very good friends. And
now We must hunt up Jim and take him
home with us. cleveland Plain Dealer