Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-10-02
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My acquaintance with the Viii
mertis was Intimate. Tie property
Of several branches OF the family at
last became one vast estate i'll the
hands Of i.6lyno WiImerth. He VI
young HAL Of an extremely pleasing
disposition, generous to a fault, tie
soul of honor and 50 trustworthy him
self that it never occurred to him to
doubt any one. Those nearest him
urged him to marry for the reason tlat
In case he died without Issue the cs-
tate would pass to his cousin, GeOrG"
Wilkinson, and it was considered de
, sirable that the property should not be
, in the keeping Of one whom no one
either liked or trusted. But Willmcrth
seemed In no haste to be married and
instead Of grudging his cousin the pos
session Of the property seemed bent on
giving it all to him. for George had no
wish that Eugene did not crafty.
Eugene, also voluntarily toiG his cousin
that he would never marry in order
that after his death George might in
herit the Willmerth millions.
Love usually strikes suddenly those
who hold up shield to ward off his
darts. Eugene met Miss Gertrude
Thrall and at o1.c became her slave.
Most young WOMEN O.. Willmerth's set
were to be had by him for the asking,
for they We're all looking for an estab-
lishment and everybody knew what
the Willmerth estate was. But Eugene
was SO noble minded himself that he
did not dream any woman would pre-
tend love she did not feel for the pur-
pose Of securing his wealth. When he
proposed to Miss Thrall she sank into
his arms, voWing that he was the only
man she ever would have married and
II he failed her she would die a maid.
When Eugene announced his engage
ment to his cousin he accompanied 1t
with a deed settling on Wilkinson
very large piece Of property, the only
portion OF the estate he was at liberty
to give away. Wilkinson seemed to be
prepared for the news and congratulate
ed Willmerth warmly, showing thor
ough appreciation of his kindness. Will
kinson also informed the newly en-
gagged man that he considered the girl
Of his choice perfect. All this made
Willmerth happier than before, and
there seemed no obstacle whatever to
change the situation.
The next thing I heard about Eugene
Willmerth was that he had gone
abroad, then that he had taken passage
on Mediterranean line steamer at
Marseilles or Naples, and when the
ship arrived he was not to be found.
1t was supposed that he had either
committed suicide or walked overheard
in his sleep. George Wilkinson made
every effort to discover his cousin, If he
were still alive, and after spending six
months abroad, giving the matter his
personal attention, returned to Amer
lea and took the estate.
It was not very long before it was
rumored that George Wilkinson would
carry out his cousins intention that
Miss Ghrall should be mistress Of the
Wilmerth estates by marrying her
himself. Miss Thrall pat on mourning
for Wilmerth but as the months pass
ed she gradually lightened it, and it
was finally permitted to leak out that
because Eugene had requested in the
event of his death she should marry
his cousin she had determined to re-
spect lis WISH
Many who knew Miss rhrall person
ally believed in her sincerity, and it
was whispered that so great was her
love for Wilimerth tl.at this marriage
was ropulsiye to her. | confess l did
not credit this side of the affair
knew that most Young women would
have acted the same way in case
where wealth was concerned, ard this
was all the thought l gave it.
| was invited to the wedding. with a
card to the ceremony. which took place
at the house at 8 o'clock in the evening.
OF course it was a grand affair "EV-
crybody' was present The groom
looked we'll satisfied With himself and
the world. and the bride looked lovely
though there was q melancholy tlnge
about her that bespoke the memory OF
her lost love. Calling a friends atten-
ton to this, I was surprised when he
replied:
They have been lovers for years
There was no time to follow the mat
ter up, for the actors in the marriage
scene took their positions and the cere-
mony began. AS soon as 1t was over
the guests commenced to arrive, and
the butler stood at the drawing room
door announcing them, according to
the English fashion. a dozen or more
had been thus admitted and with those
, who attended the ceremony kept up q
hum Of conversation. Suddenly there
, was an announcement that fell like
clap Of thunder from a clear sky:
"Mr. Eugene Willmerth!
Every voice was hushed, and every
eye turned to the door. There, on the
! Threshold in evening dress, stood Will
merth. Carelessly regarding for mo-
ment the astonished groups, he saun-
tered to the bride and groom, extend
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