New-York tribune., 1901-05-05

No said Dalcarres. If had knovvn''-
And Archie did not know. The lawyers must
nave been strangely merciful; they seemed TO
think it was kind of slur. Yeti thought-oh.
thought the whole world knew the thing ana
Stunned me"
Listen" said DaIcarres II beg your par
don, Mrs COurage-Oh. my dearest.''- II was
odd 10 See his old distant manner giving way 70
the new eagerness in his face Others may
have known: I did not. And I've never dared
TO tell you l loved you because of that black
trouble of money that hid you Don't b..
angry l used 20 hear people say, There's Dal-
cares; he must marry money: watch him with
the widow" Then had to turn my back. Each
time your little hand touched mine, heavy with
rings could not give you. it was a fight;
but the GordOn3 We're always poor and proud
The strong arm was not around her yet She
looked - him with a little shiver. This was
not the quiet John Gordon that she knew; it
was strange, eager. fmpatient-loveT.
4 was i'll last year" she said. and I used n
hear night after night horse in the distance
Nobody heard it but |. as they waited for ne 70
die. But l asked the doctor and he said il was
Mr. Gordon. | asked him again. and he said
il Mr.. Gordon: then | did not ask any
still alone. | only wanted TO lie and listen:
It was So faT-sO far And | said. 1 will not
CIe-perha ps - She broke off putting out her
hands with n little fling of reprOach. The Cor
dOns We're always proud she repeated. Wore
they always hard-aud unkiud:"
His arm round her then; it held her safe
and happy-and po0r-at last.
Allow me to congratulate you-Mrs Gordon"
Inc lawyer spoke Cheerfuly II he had
not come down from town expressly 70 deprive
this Mrs. Gordon Of all her wealth. His
ner was far too chirpy for such melancholy
occasion In the distance the Generals
viving relatives were sitting side by side The
lady was Mrs. Cox no longer. having clinched
the bargain irrevOcably with the rival party.
Within the next minute the other wouli
be made rich. and they had cunninsy put therl-
selves past the danger of tIeachery a fear Z
a breach OF promise. Now they were able -
lcpk forward with an air of assured expectation
The General had directed solemn opening II
his last instructions soon the fatal mar
riage had taken place. and their young aunt by
marriage was forgiven 10y them at last.
Archie was there also. glum and embaTrasse1-
but inquiSitve, all the same.
There was no reading the countenance OF that
little gray man with the sheets of blue paper
and the envelope sealed with black. He i'm
passive. professional. down To his very cough.
II was a cough that for the last thirty years
had made heirs-expectant jump. His curt. dry
voice went muttering on, repeating the last
clauses of the Generals will. with its burden #
riches left 10 his wife. and its one harsh CoNiI-
tion, The said Elizabeth Black Courage.
having forfeited the above. viii now break he
seal IF This envelope oheyins the above direc-
tions, and will disclose tn" name OF the IN
dvicuaI inheriting in her default
Archie looking on entirely as a spectator. fan
cied he caught d twinkle in the formal mask ~
the speaker. he paused with fate in his
hands. Was he ignorant also or could ht give
= guess
''An institution after all. by George said he.
The Generals niece and nephew. forgetting in
their excitement that their interests were idtu-
teal giared like a cat anu dog At each othef
But Ress. stripped of her riches. smiled valian;
y al Dalcarres.
Whereas the seal was broken. They
heard the Generals commands. stilted and for-
NAL hut nTm the field of battle" where
as my wife Elizabeth has found a man worth
all she has hereby forfeited for his sake and
whereas this man Will have married her for her
self and is proved worthy of her trust-and
mine | hereby leave all die possessed of-t'
my dear girl as a wedding present
There was short hush of CONSERVATION.
The Generals surviving relatives looked at
each other ferceIy, each feeling trcked by the
other into a match; and the lawyer. his twinkle
justified by results. came forward 70 repeat his
congratulations But Archie turned on his heel