The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-29
Our Daily Sbcrt Story

he made provision that if you and Rich ard were not married within three months of his twenty-first birthday the entire estate should go to you.
 Nov my dear young lady. had oth- CT plans for my son. and fearing the in- heritance would be a temptation to my wife for our son, and also that your own charms might attract him for their own sake if you were brought up in the same house. | placed you in the convent, leaving only this record. so in case any thing happens to me you will know where your people and your inheritance are. Upon your eighteenth birthday the day of forfeiture of the estate win have pass ed. and felt sure also. that by that time my son will be married.
 You will agree with me, I think. that my motives are eminently fair and gem erous so far as you are concerned. You find yourself the posessor of very large fortune. and free to dispose your heart and hand according to your dictates.
 For all matters pertaining to your es- tate I refer you to Blackstead, Yost 6 Kessler, No. - Olive street, St Louis, Mo. I hope to see you at my home as soon as you leave the convent The sis- ters win hand you ample funds for your present uses. Very truly.
 JOHN HARTLEY"
 The address followed the signature.
 The slumbering spirit of adventure in Bertha's heart, repressed during all her life, leaped to the surface. Her decision was taken in an instant. She would go at once and find out whether things were going according to John Hartley's plans. From her liberal allowance of money she had funds enough for the journey. The matter of escape was simply one of adroit- ness.
 Three days later a demure young wom- an applied at the home of John Hartley for the position of seamstress. in answer to an advertisement which had appeared l, in a newspaper. She was duly employed and became part of the household. ! The beauty of the new seamstress at- tracted the attention of Richard Hart ley at once. and the most casual contact opend his eyes to the fact that she was a young woman of quality and education. He began at once to find occasion at odd moments to talk to her. and the more he talked to her the more charmed he became with her.
 For her part. Bertha regarded the hand some young fellow as a veritabie Appollo. But then Bertha had spent her life in convent; what did she know of young fellows? She learned from gossip in the servants quarters that the young master engaged t to marry a Miss Ashley. that the match had been forced by their par ents, and that Richard was everything but enthusiastic about 1t, and that the marriage, which had been postponed sev- eral times, was now scheduled for . month later.
 One day, during one of their brief talks. Richard told her about it and how he hated the idea.
 
 1t than l." he continued, kicking sav- agely at an unoffending stool. By love! why can't they let young people arrange these things themselves
 To which Bertha did not feel called on to respond, but, instead, biushed dlvine~ ly and cast down her eyes.
 The next day Richard waylaid her, with an eager light in his eyes.
 T have determined not to g on with this loveless marriage" he announced, ''and I'll tell you why. have discover. ed that love another girl It's you. Miss Martin. Help me to get away from this dreadful nightmare. Come with me tonight. We will go to some quiet town and be married. and then dad can rave all he pIeases. If he disinherits me I can earn living anyway at my civil en- gineerfng."
 Bertha went crimson. "You have known me only two weeks" she said.
 T know you well enough to know I love you replied Richard. sturdily.
 The upshot was that Bertha's convent encompassed life eliminated in an eiope- ment. And Richard never knew until af- ter the wedding that he had secured his own fortune by his love marriage.
 As to John Hartley he took 1t very philosophicaliy after 1t was all over and Bertha had written him: "The best laid