The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-11-18

You are a diplomat" said Wyly.
smiling. II can give him Some legal
business, and that will help him to build
up practice"
"And invite him to dinner frequently,
and he viii soon forget"
That Is another good idea, Sarah"
The Wyly mansion was brilliantly
lighted, and crowded with guests. The
rich planters Of the Bayou Macon "set-
tlement," 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 Month
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 q commonplace ex-
preston, which meant nothing or a
great deal-according to the recipient
ooh, am so delighted to meet you,
Mr. 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 paying
compliments to the new belle.
Mothers looked On with envy, and their
marriageable daughters appeared to be
Indifferent 10 the progress Of Miss
Wyly.
Thereception was over, and Miss Wyly
had made an impression.
Speculation of the village gossips
came to an end with the verification of
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. WHY.
Lester loved Miss Austen with all the
ardor Of q young man whose attach
ments have been few. Yet, like most In
experienced lovers. he was attracted bv
this new face. and he mistook passing
fancy for love The winsome smiles Of
the beautiful Miss WHY. her articles
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'sy other foresaw the inevitable.
and pleao with her son. 'Do not
marry social butterfly, my son! Ellen
will he q good wife, and with her you
will be happy. Mary is tickle. She IS
brilliant and pretty. but her education
is superficial. II you hope to advance i'll
your profession, my son. do not marry
woman OF fashion"
Then you wish me TO marry house
keeper?'
your father married housekeeper,"
replied Mrs. Lester. -eprovingly.
The advice was urheeded, And the en-
gagement of Lester and Miss WHY was
formally announced.
Extensive preparations had been
made fer the brilliant wedding. Every
one in the settlement and the village
was present One familiar face was alb
sent-Elien Austen.
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 q three-months' tour Of the
northern watering resorts. Lester and
his young wife returned and took up
their residence in the Wyly 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 gain begun to talk. They rec
objected ne sudden wealth of Overseer
Wyly an wondered how he came into
possession of the plantation and the
$50 head of niggers." The case at
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
Sea, borough is signed by three witnesses
and appears to be In due form. except
irg that these names are those of fe-
males. Under the statute a female is
not legally qualified to witness will
Therefore the court instructs the jury
to return its verdict for the plaintiffs
John and Ellen Austen"