The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-22
The Reiress
of Morhwoodo

IS JENNA MIN. c,asSsS ANNE WI. HAYWARD, >,
Now, Frank. l will have none
of your confounded nonsense. sup
pose you want your wife to be Daisy,
or Primrose, or a Lily-a pretty wax
doll. with fiaXen curls and blue eyes.
like the heroine of penny novelette,"
And Colonel Beresford smiled sarcas-
tically as his eyes rested on the hand
some face of his son.
You are much mistaken. father"
replied the young man. as he turned
from the window from which he had
been gazing with admiration on the
fair scene which even winter could not
succeed in robbing of it's charm. Il
assure you | have no such ideal as you
describe. But don't you admit that
it's most unreasonable to have my fu-
ture wife chosen for me without either
consulting my wishes or those of the
lady herself? You know we have new
er even seen each other
"Fiddesticks"' growled the colonel
that's all sentimental rubbish. Re-
member that Oakfield Park is heavily
mortgaged and we shall be beggars if
you throw away the chance of this
brilliant marriage for the sake of your
ridiculous sentiment. Why, there are
hundreds of fellows in your position
who would envy you the prospect of
marrying the heiress of Northwood
Manor.
Besides he added, in more con-
ciliating tone, you will have plenty
of opportunity of seeing her Lady
tul, har ba !, inv,
ed you to spend some time at North
wood for the purpose of making the
young lady's acquaintance. Her COM
ing of age will be celebrated in about
month, and your engagement will
have to be announced at the ball which
will be given on that occasion. Before
Sir Philips death he made all these ar
rangements, although his daughter was
then only six or seven years old. The
poor fellow had once been under a
great obligation to me, and he thought
this was the best method of repaying
it,"
II wish he had chosen some other
way of showing his gratitude. How
ever, l have no objection TO becoming
acquainted with the heiress, but no
power on earth will compel me to
marry herr" and loud bang of the
library door prevented all further re-
monstrance from the colonel.
Three weeks later
The soft strains of the intermezzo to
"Cavalleria Rusticana" We're resound-
ing through the richly furnished draw
ing room of Northwood Manor, and as
nf In al
composition subsided the musician rose
from her seat and was about TO leave
the room,
PLAY that again, Miss Granville.
Please do" pleaded a young man. lay
ing aside the book in which he had
tried in vain to feel interested, and ad-
Nancing toward the piano.
THAT seems to be particular favor
lite of yours, Mr.. Beresford, but I'm
afraid l cannot wait to play it over
again-Lady Westborough will be Won
dering what has become of me. You
she said as she turned to
collect some scattering pieces of music,
you must remember that | am de-
pendent in this house | am only Miss
companion. Consequently,
cannot afford To spend all my time AT
lHe pldHp llpNeNSI lnuCil IKE IL.
II can't bear TO hear you talk in that
way" he exclaimed passionately
"oh, I'm not making any complaint"
she replied quickly pretending not TO
notice the unmistakable tenderness in
tone. 81 am treated very well-almost
like one of the family, and l am quite
content. But, indeed, | must so now
and look after Miss Hayward. She is
laid up with a bad headache, and"
"Oh, bother Miss Hayward" he NUT
tered impatiently. why are you al
ways reminding me of her existence
You ought not to speak so disre-
spectfully of your future wife" and
there was the faintest suspicion of rail-
lery in her voice.
My future wife" he echoed. She
is not my future Wife. | viii never
marry the heiress of Northwood."