The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-08
XIV
A Sudden Turn.

Dr. Frisbie's point had been made. AS
we separat ed to our several destinations
for the night, it was with the universally
expressed conviction that this young girl
| for all her beauty and attractive quail
ties, had been an apple of discord in her
uncle's house, and that, in this fact, rath-
err than in any impatient desire to enjoy
the wealth Of a man who was never close
with his sons, the unnatural crime we
were considering had originated.
The evidence elected from the first wit
| ness called to the stand on the following
morning tended to substantiate this con-
| clusion.
| Nellie Stryker, an old inmate Of the GIL
flespie house, answered the coroner's
questions with great reluctance. She had
been maid to Mrs. Gillispie. nurse to all
the children, and a trusted servant in the
household ever since the latter grew be-
| yond her care OF the attempts made
upon her masters life, the last of which
had been only too successful she knew
little, and that only by hearsay, but she
was not quite so ignorant concerning a
i certain conversation which had been held
on morning in Mr.. Gillispie's room be-
tween that gentleman and his youngest
son. She was sitting at her needle in the
| adjoining dressing closet, and, whether
her presence there was unsupported by her
master or simply ignored, they both
talked. quite freely and she heard every
word.
I Urged to repeat this conversation, the
good old soul showed shamefaced re-
|luctance which bore out her reputation
for honesty and discretion. But she was
not allowed to escape the examination set
for her. After repeated questions and a
show of extreme patience on the part of
the coroner, she admitted that the topic
discussed was the state of Mr.. Alfred S
; affections. This young gentleman. as
was publicly known, had lately engaged
himself to a southern lady of great pride
and high social Distinction; and his pres
ent disagreement with his father arose
out Of his wish to break this engagement
: His father had no patience with suct
flckleness, and their words ran high. Fin
ally, Alfred threatened to follow his owr
wishes in. the matter, whether it gave
satisfaction all around or no; declaring
!. that. he had been fool to tie himself to
girl he cared nothing about, but that he
, would be still greater one If he let thu
mistake Of a moment mar his happines.
{ for life. But the old gentleman's sense O.
5 honor was very keen, and he continued
8 to urge the claims Of the southern lady
till his son impet uously blurted out
I II thought you wanted one of us Il
: marry Hope?'
e This caused break in the converse
: ton.
: do you care for Hope?' the old gen
g tleman asked. Il thought it was wei
4 understood in his house that George, n O.
: you, was to be given the first cpportunit,
: of winning her. al
:. The oath with which Alfred answered
: was shocking to. Nellie's ears, and affect
t ed her so deeply that she heard nothin
" more till these words caught her atten
:, ton:
Il George has everything he wants: un
$ limited indulgence in each and every fan
t cy, the liking of all the men, ard tn
y love OF all the women. s Z am not so for
: tunate; i am neither fayorite with m,
r mates nor the petted darling of their sis
q ters; like my ease, but I could not Civ
y that up for Hope. She is the only wo1na
e have ever seen capable Of influencin
+ me- I have been cutie a different ma
r since she came into the house II tia
0 is dove, it is a very strong love; sue
e love as makes a man out of a nobody
o Father, let me have this darling girl 70
I my wife. George does not care for her
o not as I do. He would be better fello,
q if he did,
a Mr.. GILLESPIE seemed quite upset. III
g loved this son as the apple of his eyt
and would very POSSIBLY have been gla
:, to see tie matter so adjusted, but it di
l. not tally with his idea of what peopl
e had right to expect from his sons, an
r he told Alfred so in rather strong la
L guage.
s, "Can YOU remember that language
10 asked the coroner. 49,
Is She tried to make him believe, and hel
self too, no doubt, that her memory won
We not serve her to this EXTENT but honest
II eventually triumphed over her devotic
to the family interests, end she final
10 admitted that the old gentleman had sail
y. While Il live I will not put uo vii
he rivalry Of any kind between my son