St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-01-27
A WILL and A WAY.

Edith Burtenshaw. They were en
gagged, but the course Of their true love
had not run at all smoothly.
Hilton is one of those oldfashione6
country towns which oEce a week, OF
market day, show signs of vitality, but
on all other days appear in state Of
somnolence.
Such furniture as the room contained
(there was not space for much) was in
the pure British style of King George
ILLS reign, solid enough to last fol
generations yet to come. as it had
served those that were gone, but with
out an atom of taste. 1t was enlivened
however, by various articles OF femi
nine handiwork and little knick-knacks
showing that Editlr'made some endeav'
or to supply what was otherwise lack
ing.
Frank sat with his feet upon the fen
der drying his legs. for he had but re
Gently walked from the Grange. and the
night being stormy, had not escaped
somewhat of a wetting.
Edith had just taken her seat upon
a stool by his side.
"Now. Frank, light your cigar and
tell me all about it," said she. Il can
see by your face that something is
wrong. Has not your uncle left you
much?"
He has left me everything"
'Good gracious! is that what makes
you sad:"
There are conditions.
And what are those?"
Il must marry within a year"
'Well?"
land with the greatest possible lib
crafty, my uncle has given me permis-
sion to choose any one of the many
millions of unmarried females in the
world willing to have me, except one,
and that one is Edith Burtenshaw.
s.Oh! Frank, how horrible. Why did
he have such dislike to me-"
well, my dear, l never told you what
he said when / asked his sanction to
our engagement, for if | had thought
YOU might break it off, and it was too
pleasant for that. He said that no
pauper should have the spending of
his money; that l was to marry gen.
tlewoman, and, if i could not find one
for myself. he would find one for me.
81 replied that 1 was quite decided,
and he said SO was he. We never after
referred to the subject, though | sup
pose it was the cause of his making
a fresh WILL
"A gentlewoman. Why, the Burten-
shaws were gentlcfolk when your uncle
was common laboring bricklayer.
Yes; but my unc,e's idea of gentle
man or gentlewoman was one who had
plenty of money. The more the money
the greater the right to the title. An
impecunious duke would have been
nothing more than a common man to
him. And as to this particular dislike
to YOU, believe he was in partnership
with your father in his first building
speculation at Eastleigh. was he not?''
sYes, and / have heard that he was
the cause of my fathers ruin, but my
mother will not speak of it. My father
died soon after the qnarrel. for he never
got over it. was only ten then
THAT is what 1 thought from what
that old hypocrite Wylie mentioned to-
Cay after reading the will. He and my
uncle were always hand and glove with
each other. My uncle had done you an
injury, and he could never forgive
you."
Never forgive me because he had
done me an injury. Isn't that some
thing of paradox"
Il don't know exactly what n para
dox is. but that is the kind of injury
that is most difficult for man like
my uncle TO forgive"
And suppose you refuse 10 marry
anyone but me?'
Then l am left thousand pounds,
and the remainder goes 10 Wyiie."
Then there is an end TO our pleasant
dream" sighed Edith, with tears in her
eyes.
ITO the dream, perhaps. We must
change it to the reality. Don't cry.
dearest. what do l care for the money
if have you?''
Now, Frank. don't be foolish. How
can we possibly marry on a thousand
pounds 1t might with economy last
year. but not longer with your eNpen-
sive habits. You must remeu ber that
YOU have not been brought up to rough
it,"
II can work.
What can YOU dog"
Frank stared noodily in the fire.
ut is all my uncle's fault. Many
time have l asked him to let me learn
trade or profession. but he said he
wanted 10 he succeeded by gentle
man. There had Eeen enough trades
men in The family. and there would be
cutie enough for me without work. |
believe he wanted TO keep me entirely
under his control. and feared that il l
learned any business ! might revolt.
But / can surely do something's"
"ies, thousand pounds would no
doubt stock grocer's shop. and could
sand the sugar. replied Edith. with a
bitter laugh. Il fancy l sec you with
your apron behind the counter. and one
Of your nine-penny cigars in your
mouth"
Now, Edie. don't make fun of it,"
My dear boy, it is nything but fun
to me. If you only knew with what
anxiety ! have been looking forward to
the end of my teaching you would not
think ii fun. How hate it-how hate
it."
And you viii not leave it and marry
me?"
No! / will not. Ii is not for my sake
] refuse, but yours and mothers. We
should only be drag upon you. But
You may be sure of this-lI shall never
marry anyone else. Do use little COM
mon sense. Frank
Then L shall take my thousand
pounds aud go to Klondike.'
You will never get beyond New
York. Besides. are you going to LET
Wylie have all this money? No, Frank.
ynsv muSs vy,,r,r