Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-08-29


is all have to say, and no reply will
be expected. Abel MITCHELL
The voting girl drew the sheet from
the machine and, bringing it forward
laid It on tine old mans desk. Abel
glanced 1t through.
"A beautiful copy" he said, and knit
his brows.
The girl at the end of the desk ex-
tended her hand.
IF you have no objection she quiet
ly said, 4 will deliver it to him in per-
SON."
The old man looked up at the fair
face bending over him.
why, who are your he cried.
81 am Alice Mitchell" said the young
girl. :.
"MltchelI?' repeated Abel DULY.
"M-my sons wife? And what.
But the ugly words would not come.
lie could not utter them in the light Of
those gentle eyes.
"Will you be seated?" he lamely
added.
"Thank you-no,' said theSglrl 81
have but few words to say; they Will
not detain you long.
Abel's gaze dropped to the letter and
the will, and a sarcastic smile twisted
his mouth.
NO, no. the girl quickly added. Il
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
were tears in the gentle eyes. And
there was a CLINT of fire in them, too.
"You insulted me. and you insulted
my dear father. | have no mother"
She paused a moment.
when you inslnuated that my father
was mercenary In this matter you did
him cruel wrong. He was bitterly
opposed to our marrying without your
consent. | dlsobeyed my father, too.
But 1t was not for your money. This
letter will bring us no surprise"
The old man dropped his eyes be-
meath her reproachful gaze.
perhaps | was hasty," he slowly
said, but the provocation was great"
Then he quickly added: But knowing
as you did that l opposed the wedding,
and your father opposed 1t, too, why
did you permit yourself to marry my
boy?"
II could make it clear to you,
think" said the girl gently, "if you
loved your boy"
The old man trembled. If 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 a 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, Il
only want to add that think Jim was
quite wrong In crossing your wishes.
He might have waited. ] wanted him
to wait. But he is SO proud-so self
willed. I am very sorry that | should
be the means of separating you, and !
L am quite sure l am not worth the
great sacrifice my dear-my husband
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 enjoying your-your wedding
tour?"
There was a vacancy In the bank
where my father is employed" said the
girl, "and father secured it for Jim.
His duties began today. Perhaps we
will take our wedding journey later.
We have to look out carefully for the
main chance now, you know"
And you didn't expect to fall back
on my soyerelgns?" said the old man.
mot a penny of them" quickly re-
piled 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.
'"Does Jim know you are here?"
mo. At least he didn't know l was
coming. Father Will tell him to meet
me at the corner at 5 o'clock. l must
60"
Wait" said the old man quickly.
He looked at her searchingly. She met
his gaze with smile. Her mind was
on Jim.
Abel deliberately put the will back In
lis envelope and the envelope in Its
pigeonhole. Then he picked up the let
ter In It's unaddressed envelope. tore it
into minute particles and tossed them
into the waste-paper basket.
1--WE changed my mind" he softly
muttered.
He pulled down his desk cover with
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