The suburban citizen., 1902-09-06

IN MOTIFS lie salu' ne ulu Io'
look up from the papers be.
fore him.
The young woman turned to the
clock with a little start Of surprise.
1t was only 43O. But she quietly put
on her hat and with a murmured good.
night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
of her skirts with thoughtful express
sion. There was a sensible girl, girl
who never grated on his feelings, a
girl who asked no useless questions.
She had reached an age of discretion.
If Jim was determined to marry a poor
girl, why could not he have taken one
like Emma Morris?
Abel opened a heavy envelope and
drew forth folded paper.
"Jim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. Perhaps didn't
invite his confidence 1 don't know.
Now he has disobeyed my direct com
mand. That can't be overlooked.
When he told me about this girl. said,
wait How longT he asked. Until
you reach years Of discretion l cried,
and turned away. Jim is twenty-four.
Twenty-four! And married at twen-
ty-one! Yes, and ran away, tool But
it was different with me. My father
had nothing to give me. 1 was quite
independent He was glad to have me
shift for myself. Jims father is a
rich man. Jlms father has given him
pounds where my father begrudged
me pennies Jim owes me fiial obedi-
ence. He has disobeyed me TO his
bitter cost"
He unfolded the paper that lie had
taken from the envelope and ran his
keen, gray eye down the closely writ
ten lines.
"He has given up his father for q
pretty face" he murmured
LET him stand by the consequences.
Who is she? Who 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 1 am to be
married tomorrow night. Will you
come with me to the weddingY l
turned on my heel. Then I looked
back You know the price you may
payY l cried. Yes, father he said.
with his head high up; L know Good
by, and God bless you He asked
blessing on me! Ha, ha, hal That's
too ricn! But he'll get evil for good
this time. I'll cut him off with shill-
ing. Let him sup on herbs for while.
Thatll take the veneer from loves
young dream. I'll draw up a new will
at home tonight and have it witnessed
before 1 sleep. And to let him know
what his foolish fancy has cost him, I'll
write him a letter-a 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 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. If he haC 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 tire" he added; 81 want to
dictate letter before you 60"
He paused, and the young girl as If
seized with 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 a confidential agent
Besides, this will be public property
very soon. l am going to write to my
SON. Last night he married an un.
known girl against my wishes l am
going to tell him that wash my
hands of him and his; that tonight
change my will, cutting him off with
a single shilling. Are you ready?"
The girl at the typewriter gave the
Instrument a preliminary click or two
James Mitchell" began the old man.
"as you have seen fit to disobey me. to
cast my fatherly wishes in my teeth, |
desire you to know that | have no
wish to hold further communication
with you. While l cherish the impress
sion that you were lured into this un-
happy marriage"
The typewriter stopped
Unhappy marriage" the old man
repeated, and the clicking recon-
menced, "yet / cannot accept as any
excuse for your undutiful conduct To.
night | change my will, and you may
rest assured that your name will be
passed over with the smallest possible
financial consideration, 1 prefer to