Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-02

nave 1nVlL6Q 1<eSL0E 10 the TGCSpLlOu. He is poor; Mary is rich. Perhaps if it was known that we intend to give Mary $100,000 as bridal present-well, sometimes people change their minds!"
 sTYou are diplomat" said Wyly, smiling. eI can give him some legal business, and that will help him to build up practice-
 "And invite him to dinner frequently, and he will soon forget--''
 sThat is another good idea, Sarah"
 The Wyly mansion was brilliantly lighted, and crowded with guests. The rich planters of the Bayou Macon "set- clement" with their families, were in attendance, and also all the village peo- pie, rich and poor. It was the greatest event in the social history of Monti- cello.
 Miss Mary was dressed in the latest fashion, which attracted the attention of all and the envy of the young ladies. There was only a slight inclination of her well-poised head, and meaningless, mechanical smile on her face as she re- ceived introductions to the guests. She greeted each with commonplace ex- pression, whics meant nothing or great deal-according to the recipient
 aOh, I am so delighted to meet you, MT. Lester!" said the debutante, in very effusive manner, as her match making mother brought the rising young lawyer, to where Mary stood. surrounded by number of young men, who were rivaling each other in payings complimentsito the new belle.
 Mothers looked on with envy, and their marriageable daughters appeared to be indifferent to the progress of Miss Wyly.
 The reception was over, and Miss Wyly had made an impression.
 Speculation of the village gossips came to an end with the verif1cation or the truth of the rumor that the engage ment between Miss Ellen Austen and John Lester had been broken. As usual, it was said that the young lady had changed her mind; but, the more think ing ones saw in the broken engagement the designing hand of Mrs. Wyly.
 Lester loved Miss Austen with all the ardor of young man whose attach ments have been few Yet, like most in- experienced lovers, he was attracted by this new face, and he mistook passing fancy for love The winsome smiles of the beautiful Miss Wyly, her artifces and her dashing manner, made her so different from the plain country girl. Ellen Austen, that he could not under stand how he had brought himself to the belief that he had ever loved her.
 Lester's mother foresaw the inevitable. ! and pleaded with her son. Do not marry social butterfly, my son! Ellen will be a good wife, and with her you will be happy. Mary is fckle. She IS brilliant and pretty. but her education is superficial. If yoa hope to advance in your profession, my son, do not marry woman of fashion"
 ''Then you wish me to marry house. keeper?'
 'tYour father married a housekeeper, replied Mrs. Lester, reprovingly.
 The advice was unheeded, and the en- 1. gagement of Lester and Miss Wyly was < formally, announced. ss.s
 Extensive preparations had been made for the brilliant wedding. Every one in the settlement and the village was present. One familiar face was ab- sent-Ellen Austen.
 'fWhy, Ellen is not here!" whispered several. And she was Mary's school mate, tool"
 Then 1t is true?'' said another.
 The bride was complimented by all, especially by the young ladies, who could scarce repress sigh of envy. The bridegroom also received many compli- ments, and all wished the couple the usual amount of happiness.
 After three-months' tour of the northern watering resorts, Lester and his young wife returned and took up their residence in the Wy,y mansion.
 At the November term of court the case of John and Ellen Austen, heirs of Elizabeth Scarborough versus Sam uel Wyly came up for trial The older settlers again begun to talk. They rec ollected the sudden wealth of Overseer Wy1y and wondered how he came into possession of the plantation and the "50 head of niggers.'' The case att { tracted general attention and the court house was crowded daily. John Lester appeared for his father-in-law, and Charles Floyd was the attorney for the Austen heirs.
 Finally, the strongly contested case ended, and Judge Jackson summed up his charge to the jury, as follows: "The alleged will of Mrs. Elizabeth I Scarborough is signed by three witnesses and appears to be in due form, except ing that these names are those of fe- I males. Under the statute a female is not legally qualified to witness will Therefore the court instructs the jury to return it's verdict for the plaintiffs John and Ellen Austen"
 May it please the court!" exclaimed Lester, excitedly. That statute is ob- solete, and"
 s'The statute has never been repealed, and therefore it is still law! There is 1 TO necessity for argument, MT. Lester" "
 The crowd loudly applauded the ver- dict, and congratulated the heirs. I The Wylys vacated the mansion, and | A ~4~~~ .i Al ~s.~&