The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-10-28
" % a.. II. q. a. &.
@ES s. & S. Sls&


Alfred Mtl,ost shifted uneacily from
one foot to the other. He had bent the
whole energies of !; strong and reSolute
nature to win May Greaves for his wife,
and had failed. Nothing he had said
seemed to affect her. But there was one
tramp card still unrlayed.
"Are you aware he asked, "of your
Gathers last WishT'
"No." Fear came into her face.
81 thought not or You wouldn't-well,
you would think twice before giving me
chat answer
"I'm sure father could say nothing.
He always wished NE to be perfectly
1ree-in that WV
'When he ws,S strong and well-nat-
urally. But when Il nan is laid aside
and mar d1sitn H. j. apt to think differ
emily. There, May. I'll not bent about
the bu,G any lngc: I've letter here
which he WROTE III. Il few days before
he died. You can gee for yourself what
1t says
He took letter from leather wal
let and smoot lei 1t ont.
"Read," he s@id, placing it in her
hands.
She followed - ;.w ugh in q haze
what WAS written. Her father deplored
his yl.;rcachins death. leaving a. mo.
thericss girl to face the huffetss of :: cruel
wor!!. 1T referred to til" comparatively
small inheritance she would have. for
Greayes had not bee. an over successful
mai and cXirr, >*ri the wish that Mel
.rr. ,ls his lawy..,.. .i.nl ID wind up h4
affairs. Finally. it commended May to
Melrosa's care" concluding:
az, by any chance. my dear Melrose.
her heart is tururd in your direction, |
am sire thqt ,.,.u..hny IL, a,ud news
would come L. me-. airI Il great feeling
of thankfunr~S THAI al! was well with
her would n,o.l nay conf"
MelruSe w.'tc!rl the girl closely as
she read WAcn she c:Hmt to tn" last
words >lr put her handkerchief to her
eye. lie stood silent until her emotion
Wa l'rf.
'Nrll. Auy: he a>i;"G softly.
''No, MIR, Melros". ca,"~; in:..ry
y0I.
MAY. why not!" The words burst
from his heart
"Rrcara', don't love YOU"
as l"v" The only n:otivr for which "A
woman marries? 1t is the best motive,
/ know, but there are others. | have
Low" ci"I%h for 10th. | love you with
my whole being. DO YOU doubt it?'
"E"." she answered sadly.
"Think of your position here. An I'M
married girl living alCne in this rough
coaI'try. where men think so little of
wt."en. why, the position would he uu-
he. iuhlC to You May. Let me be both
husband and father to YOU"
"Ilcase don't talk like that-vou hurt
me. D>.a't YOU see it cannot beg"
81 can't see There is no one else.
an!"-
There is some one else"
NIclm~e staggered back. as if from a
blow.
"Who?" he demanded
al cannot tell Now go please"
And Mclrose picked I'D his hat and
went--hack to the office to try and
drown memory in work. 1t was half
holiday. and his partner Leslie Han,
son, and the staff were gone. hut Mel.
rose drew ont his none,.s and snu,,b+ 70
forget himself with but small success,
The sting of Mays refusal tho h;ttor.
ness, Of his diso,,n.;n+n,o,,+ a,,ta,.I -.
everything.
That evening Mclrose walked around
to his partners house to discuss fn,I
details respecting a pending case. lie
was shown into sitting room. and told
chat Hanson, WHOSE. hobby wos uh,.,,,.
yra1,hy. and who ur,s da,.e,n,i,,,, ',,,,,,,
films. would join him il, a few minutes,
Melrose Went up to examine 4 vow.
writing table that had lately bern added
to the room.
Merosp started. On the blrttiry mad
was q note addressed to Hanson in
Mays handwriting. Taking one quick