El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-08
The Last Will of
Abel Mitchell.
he Changed His Mind as to the
Disposition Of His Property.
BY w. r. ROSE. 9

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Abel Mitchell called to his type
writer
'You may go, Miss Norris" he said.
He did not look up from the papers be-
fore him.
The young woman turned to the
clock with a little start of surprise.
1t was only 40. But she quietly put
on her hat and with a murmured good
night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
of her skirts with a thoughtful express
sion. There was a sensible girl, a girl
who never grated on his feelings, Il
girl who asked no useless questions.
She had reached an age of discretion
If Jim was determined to marry n
poor girl, why couldn't he have taken
one like Emma Morris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
drew forth a 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. I'm
til you reach years of discretion
cried and turned away. Jim is "a.
Twenty-four. And I married at 81.
Yes, and ran away too. But it was
different with me. My father had
nothing to give me. 1 was quite indie
pendent. He was glad to have me
shift for myself. Jim'S father is q
rich man. Jim's father has given him
dollars where my father begrudged
me pennies. Jim owes me filial obedi-
ence. He has disobeyed me to his bit
ter cost"
He unfolded the paper that he had
taken from the envelope and ran his
keen gray eye down the closely written
lines.
He has given up his father for a
pretty face" he murmured. Let him
stand by the consequences. Who is
she? What is she? 1t matters not. No
doubt they trapped him into this mar
rage. "A rich mans son. they chuc-
kled- But they'll find they're fooled
Father he said, 4 am to be married
tomorrow night. Will you come with
me to the wedding? I turned on my
heel. Then 1 looked back. You know
the price you may pay?' L cried. Yes,
father he said, with his head high up.
I know. Goodby, and God bless you
He asked a blessing on me, Ha, ha,
ha; that's too richI But he'll get evil
for good this time. I'll cut him off
with a dollar. Let him sup on herbs
for awhile. That'H take the veneer
from loves young dream. I'll draw up
a new will at home tonight and have it
witnessed before L sleep. And to let
him know what his foolish fancy has
cost him I'll write him a letter-a letter
he can show to his new relatives
That's the thing-the 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 I'D 1t
was way he had.
'Ah, Miss Norris he said, "back
again?" He had quite forgotten that
ne had sent her home.
The young girl in the doorway did
not answer. Her bright eyes were fix
ed 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. 81 want
to dictate letter before you co.
he paused, and the young girl, as if
seized with a sudden fancy, quietly
stepped into the room and seated her.
self at the typewriter.
You have been with us so long, Miss
Morris the old man continued, that |
we view you as a confidential agent |
Besides, this will be public property
very soon am going to write to my |
SON Last night he married an I'M |
known girl against my wishes. 1 am
going to tell him that / wash my |
hands of him and his; that tonight 1 |
change my will, cutting him off with |
a solitary dollar. Are you ready?'
The girl at the typewriter gave the |
instrument preliminary click or two. |
Games MITCHELL began the old |
man, ''as you have seen fit to disobey |
me, to cast my fatherly wishes in my |
teeth, l desire you TO know that have |
no wish to hold further communication |
with you. While 1 cherish the i'm
preston that you were lured into this |
unhappy marriage
The typewriter stopped. i
Unhappy marriage" the old man re- |
peated, and the clicking recommended, |
-syet L 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 finan- |
ciaI consideration. 1 prefer to have |
you understand this here and now. 1t |
will prevent you and your new friends |
from cherishing any false hopes. This |