The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-08-14
Harry's Majority
BY DAGNEY MAJOR.

ella Payne, a sweet. gray haired
woman. with what is termed a
good" face, though lined with
care and trouble. Yes; the bowl
of happiness was low when her share
was ladled out. There was a gentle
look of resignation in her face. which
was the reflection of a brave heart
She frightened up as she heard a
quick, light footstep. and her niece
Jessie Burton, sweetly pretty girl
of about is summers. entered the
room.
''Good-morning, auntie! Is Harry
DOWN." she asked. kissing her guard
ian.
''No, dear; but he soon will be. I'm
sure. He can only have one twenty
first birthday"
Many letters for him?"
"a few; one is from Australia"
"Auntie.' said the girl. suddenly,
with a tinge of lovely color flaming
her cheeks, ''I-I-have something to
tell you"
81 do believe I can guess what it is,
Jessie"
so, auntie, I am sure you haven't
notion"
"My dear. your face convinces me
that my conclusion is correct. Come
here and let your old aunt whisper it:
Harry has proposed and you have ac-
cepted him"
SLOW did you know?" calculated
Jessie. Eyes, he proposed last night.
Aren't you going to congratulate me?"
eyes, yes, darling. May you be
very. very happy" and she kissed her
niece lovingly. "Are you quite sure,
Jessie. that you love him. and that
there is nothing that would prevent
you from marrying?"
Jessie replied by look that indi-
Gated such question was entirely I'M
necessary.
'You know. dear, ! was in love once,
and some one was fond of me. but
but-things went wrong. Some day
you shall hear the story, dear then
you will understand how it is I am
so anxious about you. All, here is
Harry"
AT that moment handsome young
fellow entered the room. Jessie ran
and kissed him. and led him to her
aunt, who was smiling through tears
of happiness and sorrow-sorrow be
cause she foresaw bitter parting with
Jessie.
After oft-repeated congratulations
and many happy returns. Harry was
permitted to open his letters. The
gist of the one from Australia ran as
follows:
MY Dear Son: I trust you will receive
this or the Gay you attain your majority
Now that YOU have arrived at ar age of dis
erection. wish you to know as much Of my
history as is necessary. Pray my
dear son, 90 not think hardly of me. .
All have done I have done for the best
l have instructed that good man,
Rev. William Nayand, your guardian and
counselor all these years, to tell you as
much as he thinks fit. He will see
the lawyers for you. After to-day you will
be able to draw 1850 year. This
will continue until my death, when all |
have goes to you. Wishing you all
happiness, my Gear boy. Your most af-
fectionate FATHER"
Harry read this through twice, amid
a strange feeling of uneasinessl and
emotion. 1t was the first letter he had
ever received from his father He
sat down, looking rather pale, crush
ing the letter in his hand. Was his
three months of perfect happiness at
this house to be married by some hor-
rible revelation? He trusted not
Somehow or other he thought of
James Barton. his rival.
Miss Payne had taken great fancy
to Harry when they first met. two
years ago, and he had latterly been
staying with her and Jessie. with the
inevit2 BILE result that he fell head over
ears in love with her pretty face.
my guardian. Rev. William Nay
land, will be calling to see me to-day,
Miss Payne he said at length, "about
some business matters. And, Jessie"
he broke off. 81 should like to see
you in the garden after breakfast"
The meal having concluded. with
painful evidence that things had gone
atwist, Harry stroled into the gar
den with her.
Darling. what is it? What is the
matter" she asked, gently nesting
up to him. Something has gone
wrong. and who should share your
trouble with You but -"
The doubts and perplexities which
entangled his mind for a moment
seemed to overwhelm him. then, with
out word. he took the girl in his
strong arms and held her closely to
him
Jessie" he began falteringly at
last, ''if-if-there should be ANYTHING
that might come between our mar
rage, don't think too hardly of me.
If there be secret in my family, and [
have kept it from you, believe me
when | say that it was through no
fault of mine. | had no intention to
deceive"
40, Harry! Harry" sobbed Jessie.
now thoroughly alarmed Il don't
know what you mean, indeed | don't. y
she concluded, with flood of tears. and
nothing would comfort her till she
had sobbed out her heart to her aunt
That afternoon, Rev. William Nav
land called, and was closeted with Hair
~ for nearly an hour. Harry had the
greatest admiration and affection for