Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-08-07
HIS LAST WILL.
> BEL MITCHELL called RI

81 BEL MITCHELL called to his
A typine. you may go. Miss
Norris" he said. He did not
look up from the papers before him.
The young woman turned to the clock
with a little start Of surprise. 1t was
only 4:3O. But she quietly put on her
hat, and with a murmured goodnight,
left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
Of her skirts with thoughtful express
sion. There was sensible girl. a girl
who never grated on his feelings, a girl
who asked no useless questions. She
had reached an age of discretion. II
jim was determined to marry poor
girl why could not he have taken one
like Emma Norris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
drew forth folded paper.
"Jim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. perhaps l didn't
invite his confidence. l don't know.
Now he has dlsObeyed my direct COM
mand. That can't be overlooked. When
he told ME about this girl. said,
Wait How long?' he asked. Until
you reach years of discretion! cried,
and turned away. Jim is twenty-four.
Twenty-fOur! And l married at 21!
Yes. and ran away, too! But it was
different with me. My father had moth
ing to give ME. l was quite independ-
ent. He was glad to have me shift for
myself. Jim's father Is rich man.
Jim's father has given him pounds
where my father begrudged me pen
MES. Jim owes me fillal obedience. He
has disobeyed me to his bitter COST"
He Wfolded the paper that he had
taken from the envelope and ran his
keen, gray eye down the closely writ
ten 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 marriage "A rich mans son. they
chuckled. But they'll find they're
fooled. Father he said. 4 am to be
married tomorrow night. Will you
come with me to the weddingY
turned on nay heel: Then looked BACK,
You know the price you may pay?
cried. Yes, father, he said, with his
head high up; 4 know. Good-by, and
God bless you He asked blessing
on me! Ha, ha, ha! That's too rich!
But he'll get evil for good this time.
I'll cut him off with a shilling. Let
him sup on herbs for a while. That'll
take the veneer from loves young
dream. I'll draw up new will at
home tonight and have it witnessed
before I sleep. And to let him know
what his foolish fancy has cost him
I'll write him a letter. 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 up. 1t
was a way he had.
"Ah. Miss Norris" he said, "back
again?"
He had quite forgotten that he had
sent her home.
The young girl in the doorway did
not answer Her bright eyes were fixed
upon the old man. She expected him
to look up. II he had done so he would
have seen charming vision She was
a very pretty girl-dainty and neat
from the crown Of her new hat to the
tips of her new shoes. But he did not
look up.
Just In time" he added. Il want to
dictate letter before you CO."
He paused. and the young girl. as IL
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 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. l am
going to tell him that wash my hands
of him and his; that tonight l change
my will, cutting him Off with a single
Are you ready?"
The girl at the typewriter gave the
preliminary click or two.
flames 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 l cherish the impression
that you were lured into this unhappy
The typewriter stopped.
Unhappy marriage" the old man re-
peated, and the clicking recommended,
yet l cannot accept that as any excuse
for your undutiful conduct. Tonight
change my will, and you may rest as
sured that your name will be passed