The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-05-16

evident from the fact that great re.
joicing took place on all sides when
Veronica suddenly developed into
healthy child. and the probability Of
David Moore inheriting the coveted
estate decreased 20 a minimum. II
was not a long rejoicing. however, for
John Iudson followed his wife to the
grave before Veronica had reached her
tenth yC r. leaving he and her half
sister Cora. to the guardianship Of a
grabbed old bachelor who had been his
fathers lawyer. This lawyer was
morose and peevish. but he was never
positively For two years the
sisters seemed happy enough, when,
Suddenly and somewhat peremptorily.
they were separated. Veronica being
sent TO q western school, where she
remained, seemingly without single
visit east. till she was seventeen.
During this long absence Miss Tut
lie resided in Washington. developing
under masters into an accomplished
woman. Veronicas guardian, severe
in his treatment OF the youthful owner
OF the large fortune Of which he had
heen made sole executor, was unex
pectedly generous to the penniless sis.
ter. hoping perhaps 10 his close, pee
wish old heart that the charms aud ac
uured graces OF this lovely woman
would soon win for her a husband in
the brilliant set IN which she naturally
found herself But Cora Tuttle was
not easy TO please and the FIRST men
of Washington came and went before
her eyes without awakening 10 her
sny special interest tn she met Fran
els jeffrey. who stole her heart with a
look
Those who remember her that win
fer say that under his influence she
developed from a handsome woman
iuso a lovely one. Yet no engagement
was announced. and society was won
dering what held Francis Jeffrey back
from so great a prize. when Veronica
Moore came home aud the question
was forever answered.
Veronica was now nearly eighteen
and during her absence~had blossomed
into womanhoOd. Sue was not as
beautiful as her sister, but she bad a
bright and pleasing expression. with
enough spice ia her temperament 10
rob her girlish features of insipidity
and make her conversation witty, IL
not brilliant Yet when Francis Jef-
frey turned his attentions from Miss
Tuttle and fixed them without reserve
or seeming shame upon this pretty but
ter6y but one term could he found to
characterize the proceeding. aud that
was fortune hunting OF small but
settled income. he had hitherto shown
a certain ccntentment with his condi-
ton calculated TO inspire respect and
make his attentions TO Miss Tuttle
seem both consistent and appropriate.
But no sooner did Veronica's bright
eyes appear than he fell at the young
heiress' feet and pressed his suit so
close and fast that I'm two months they
were engaged and at the end OF the
half year married-with the disastrous
consequences Just made known.
So much for the general gossip Of
the town. Now for the special.
certain gentleman. whom It Is un-
necessary to name. had been present
at one critical instant in the lives OF
these three persons. He was not a
scandal monger, and is everything had
gone on happily-if Veronica had lived
and Cora settled down into matrimony
--he would never have mentioned what
be heard and saw one night in the
great drawing room Of a hotel 80 At
lantic City.
II was at the time when the engage
ment was first announced between
jeffrey and the young heiress. This
and his previous attentions to Cora
had made much talk. both in Wash
ington and elsewhere. aud there were
not lacking those who had openly
twitted him for his seeming incon
stancy This had been over the cups
OF course. and jeffrey had borne It well
enough from his so caliei friends and
inumates But when, on certain
evening in the parlor OF one Of the
large hotels In Atlantic City, a fellow
whom nobody knew and nobody liked
accused him OF knowing on which side
bis bread was buttered, and that Ger
tainly II was not on the side of beauty
and superior attalnments jeffrey goi
angry. Heedlees Of who might bs
within hearing. he spoke up very plain
~ in these words: You are all OF q
kind-.mnk money worshipers and sell
seekers-or you would not be so ready
TO see greed IN my admiration for Miss
Moore Disagreeable as / find 1t Il
air my sentiments IN this public man
ner, yet since you provoke me 10 j.
! will say once and for all that I an
deeply in love with. Miss Moore anC
that it IS for this reason only am go
ing TO marry her Were she the pen
nless girl her sister is, and Miss Tuttl'
the proud possessor Of the wealth
which in your eyes, confers such dis
tinctiOn upon Miss Moore, you woul'
still see me at the latter's feet and a
hers only. Miss Tuttle's charms are no
potent enough TO hold the heart whicl
has once been fixed by her sister
smile"
This was pointed enough. certainly
but when at the conclusion of hi
words tall figure rose from nea
corner and Cora Tuttle passed th'
amazed group with a bow / dare war
rant that not one Of the men cOmpos
ing II but wished himself a hundred
miles away.
With this incident filling my mind,
returned 10 Washington. l had ac
quainted myself with the open fact
]. -