Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-08-07


the machine and, bringing it forward,
laid it on the old mans desk. Abel
glanced it 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. Il will deliver it to him in per-
son."
The old man looked up at the fair
face bending over him.
"Why, who are you?" he cried.
81 am Alice Mitchell" said the young
girl.
"Mitchell?" repeated Abel DULY.
"M-my sons wife? And what"
But the ugly words would not come.
He could not utter them in the light Of
those gentle eyes.
"Wlll you be seated?" he lamely
added.
Thank you-no," said the girl. II
have but few words to say; they will
not detain you long"
Abers gaze dropped to the letter and
the will, and sarcastic smile twisted
his mouth.
'No. no." the girl quickly added II
have not come to plead with you. You
are quite wrong to imagine such a
thing. And you were quite wrong. too.
to insult me as you did in that letter"
He locked up again quickly. There
were tears in the gentle eyes. And
there was CLINT Of fire in them, too.
"You insulted me, and you insulted
my dear father. l have no mother"
She paused moment.
"When you insinuated that my father
was mercenary in this matter you did
him a cruel wrong. He was bitterly
opposed to our marrying without your
consent. 1 disobeyed my father. too.
But 1t was not for your money. This
letter will bring US no surprise" ."sG
The old man dropped his eyes be-
meath her reproachful gaze.
perhaps l was hasty," he slowly
said, but the provocation was great"
Then he quickly added: But knowing
as you did that opposed the wedding.
and your father opposed 1t, too. why
did you permit yourself to marry my
boy" n.-.,
II could make it clear to you, I
think" said the girl gently. III you
loved your boy"
The old man trembled. IfNhe loved
his boy! All that was near and dear
to him-all that was left to him of kith
and kin. The babe that dying wife
had solemnly placed In his paternal
arms. II 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. II
only want to add that think Jim was
quite wrong in crossing your wishes.
He might have waited. l 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
Il am quite sure 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
tOurY' D., ~
There was a vacancy in the hank
where my father Is employed" said the
GIRL land 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 s9yereigns?" said the old man.
mot a penny Of them" quickly re-
piled the girl. III
The old man ndgeted In his chair.
"And why notY he asked.
81 think you understand" said the
girl, and her gaze dropped to the letter
on the desk. I
Does Jim know you are hereY'
mo. AT least he didn't know | was
coming. Father will tell him to meet
me at the corner at 5 o'clock. must
60"
wait" said the old man quickly.
He looked ut her searchingly. She met
his gaze with smile. Her mind was
on jim.
Abel deliberately put the will back In
its envelope and the envelope in its
pigeonhole. Then he picked up the let
ter in its unaddressed envelope. tore it
into minute particles and tossed them
into the waste paper basket.
1--WE changed my mind" he softly
He pulled down his desk cover with
a 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
he paused.
Il think, Alice" he said. 'that you
and are going to be very good friends.
And now we must hunt up Jim and
take him home with us."-New York
News.
Danger IN Ci9ars @-