The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-23

nothing or a great deal-according to | the recipient.
 'Oh. I am so delighted to meet you, Mir. Lester!' sad the debutante, in a very effusive manner. as her match making mother brought the rising young lawyer" to where Mary stood, surrounded by a number of young men, who were rivaling each other in pay ing compliments to the new belle. Mothers looked or 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 cnd with the verification of the truth of the rumor that the en- gagement 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 | thinking ones saw In the broken en- gagement the designing hand of Mrs Wyly.
 Lester loved Miss Austen with all the ardor of a young man whose at | tachments have been few Yet, like most inexperienced lovers he was at- tracted by this new face. and he mis- took a passing fancy for love. The | Wyly. her artifices and her dashing manner. made her so different from the plain country girl. Ellen Austen, that he could not understand how he had brought himself to the belief that he had ever loved her.
 Lesters mother foresaw the inevi- table. and pleaded with her son. Do not marry a socill butterfly. my son! Ellen will be a good wife, and with l hAr xxVtI1 hA A. azI. I.I- She Is brilliant and pretty, but her education is superficial. If you hope to advance in your profession, my son. do not marry woman of fashion"
 Then you wish me to marry a housekeeper?"
 l Your father married a housekeep- er," replied Mrs. Lester, reprovingly.
 The advice was unheeded, and the | engagement of Lester and Miss Wyly was formally announced
 Extensive preparations had been made for the brilliant wedding. Every one In the settlement and the village | was present. One familiar face was absent-ElIen Austen.
 Why, Ellen is not here!" whispered several And Hhe was Marys school mate, too.'
 Then 1t Is true7" said another.
 The bride was complimented by all
 
 could scarce repress sigh of envy The bridegroom also received many compliments, and all wished the cou- pie the usual amount of happiness.
 After a 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 0f Inh I1at- of Elizabeth Scarborough versus Sam uel Wyly came up for trial. The older settlers again begun to talk. They recollected the sudden wealth of Over seer Wyly and wondered how he came into possession of the plantation and the fifty head of niggers." The case attracted general attention and the courthouse was crowded daily. John Lester appeared for his father -tn-law and Charles Floyd was the attorney for the Austen heirs.
 Finally, the strongly contested case ended. and Judge Jackson summed ur his charge to the jury. as follows:
 The alleged will of Mrs. Elizabeth Scarborough is signed by three wit nesses and appears to be in due form excepting that these names are those of females. Under the statute a fe- male Is not legally qualified to witness a will. Therefore the court instructs the jury to return its verdict for the plaintiffs-John and Ellen Austen"
 May 1t please the court" exclaimed Lester excitedly. That statute is ob- solete, and"
 The statute has never been re- pealed, and therefore 1t Is still law There is no necessity for argument Mir Lester"
 The crowd loudly applauded the yer dict. and congratulated the heirs.
 The Wylys vacated the mansion. and the Austens received their inheritance In a few weeks the engagement of Miss Ellen Austen and Charles Floyd was announced.