Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-11-10
DAILY SHORT STORY
THE HATCH WILL.
[Original.l

Old man Hatch had lived his lie as
q woman hater, and now that he was
about to die he had no chick or child
to whom TO leave the estate that had
been in the family for many years.
The only available relative was his
nephew, Raymond Hatch. who inherit
ed his uncle's dislike for women and
who at his own death would not be
likely to leave an heir. Against this
the old man undertook to provide. He
left the estate TO Raymond on condi-
ton that he marry within one year
after coming into possession. Six days
after making the will the testator died.
Raymond on hearing the will read
was delighted till he came TO the clause
requiring his marriage; then his coun-
tenance fell. Like most women haters,
within the depths of his heart he had
the image of an ideal woman whom he
never expected to find. However, since
there was now the spur of fortune to
drive him on, he started out in hunt
for a girl whom he could love. Since
Raymond was a fine fellow with Il
fortune he found plenty TO choose from.
Girls were thrown at him like hail
stones. There We're pushing girls, mod
est girls. bad girls, good girls-indeed,
girls of all kinds.
Now, the chances are that when
woman Halter falls i'll love il will be
with some heller SHELTER girl instead
of steady. reliable woman who can
be surely counted on to make u good
wife. SO il was with Raymond Hatch.
He fell before the charms of Grace
MaryOtt. as graceleSs flirt as ever an
gled for man. If there was Il serious
thought IN her head it did not appear.
There was no prank of which she was
not capable. With it all was Il certain
indescribabIe witchery that fascinated
men where sterling qualities would
have had no effect. Such girls some
times when they find themselves con-
fronted with the serious problems of
wife and mother make very good
wives. but they are uncertain.
Raymond would have liked to keep
the secret of his Inheritance, but eligi-
bic young men with fortunes cannot
hide them. and RaymOnd's fortune was
Il widely known fact. Miss Maryotr
knew all about it, but had the effront-
cry to pretend that she supposed him
to be Il poor man. while Raymond had
the stupidity to believe her Raymond
did not meet the girl till within two
months of the time of expiration of the
year fixed by the will for matrimony,
but during these two months great
deal was accomplished. The truth is
Miss MaryOtt left Mr.. Hatch very little
to do III the matter. These fiirtS know
men better than the steady, modest
women do. and are aware that Il man
does not object to being cOurted by
woman for whom he does not have
positive dislike. Besides, hirts have a
way of backing and filling that is puZ-
Zling. Miss Maryott blew hot and cold
until she got Hatch in Il fever of I'M
certainty. On several occasions when
she was blowing hot he tried to get in
a proposal. but she always contrived
TO head him off. One week before he
must marry or lose his inheritance he
was still uncertain of his fate
At this time Miss Maryott suddenly
became apparently very pliable. Hatch
had been .reprOving her for trifing
with him, and she appeared 50 con-
trite that, taking advantage of the op-
pOrtunity. he blurted out his proposal
To his astOnishment she refused him.
1t seemed TO him that the bottom had
dropped out of the universe.
But when ii came to the reason for
her unexpected action the girl uni ush
ingiy told him that it would be unwise
for two people To marry both being
unendowed with worldly goods.
Hope sprang back into the lovers
breast, and he told her of his uncle's
will and its important condition.
Then came the most surprising blow
Of all. Miss Maryott looked at him
with well affected surprise and coolly
asked him if he considered her one to
marry for money. He pointed out the
want of logic in such conclusion, but
with no effect. The girl told him that
lie must look elsewhere for some one
In help him secure his fortune. Her
heart was too sacred To be used in any
such mercenary manner, whereupon
Hatch declared that his fortune might
go TO charity or the dogs for all he
cared and left her.
At the last moment the heir DroSpec-
tive was approached by Miss Wyman.
q friend of Miss Maryott's. who argued
with him the folly of letting n fortune
go that might as well be secured She
advised Hatch 10 comply with the pro-
vision of the will by marrying some
old woman who had not long TO live
Hatch was desperate and did not care
what he did. Miss Wyman agreed to
Introduce him to woman OF eighty
who could not possibly live week
Hatch consented, and arrangements
We're made accordingly
1t was not till 10 o'clock of the day
10 Of h. Ba
pired that Miss Wyman kept her prom
Use and introduced Hatch into room
where on lounge. propped up by pill
lows. an old woman, wrinkled hollow
checked, snaggle toothed. was waiting
TO receive him. \ clergyman had been
summoned, and there was nothing to
a