Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-01-06
The Hatch Will
[Original.l

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. Ee
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 a hunt
for a girl whom he could love. Since
Raymond was a fine fellow with a
fortune he found plenty to choose from.
Girls were thrown at him like hail
stones. There were pushing girls, mod
est girls, bad girls, good girls-indeed.
girls OF all kinds.
Now, the chances are that when a
woman halter falls in love it will be
with some heller SHELTER girl instead
Of a steady, reliable woman who can
be surely counted on to make a good
wife. SO it was with Raymond Hatch.
He fell before the charms of Grace
Mary0tt, as graceleSs a f1irt as ever an
gled for man. If there was a serious
thought in her head It did not appear.
There was no prank of which she was
not capable. With it all was a certain
indescribable witchery that fascinated
men where sterling qualities would
have had ne 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 elgi-
BILE young men with fortunes cannot
hide them, and Raymond's fortune was
a widely known fact. Miss MARRIOTT
knew all about it, but had the effront-
cry to pretend that she supposed him
to be 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 a great
deal was accomplished The truth is
Miss MaryOtt left Mr.. Hatch very little
to do in the matter. These f1irts know
men better than the steady, modest
women do, and are aware that a man
does not object to being courted by a
woman for whom he does not have
positive dislike. Besides, f1irts have
way Of backing and filing that is pu2-
Zling. Miss MaryOtt blew hot and cold
until she got Hatch in a fever of un-
certainty. On several occasions when
she was blowing hot he tried to get in
proposal, but she always contrivel
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 so con-
trite that, taking advantage of the op-
Is
To his establishment she refused him.
1t seemed to him that the bottom had
dropped out of the universe
But when it came to the reason for
her unexpected action the girl unblush-
ingly 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 it's 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 a conclusion, but
with no effect. The girl told him that
he must look elsewhere for some one
to 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 prospec-
tive was approached by Miss Wyman,
a friend of Miss Maryott's, who argued
with him the folly of letting a fortune
go that might as we'll be secured. She
advised Hatch to 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 a woman of eighty
who could not possibly live a week
Hatch consented, and arrangements
were made accordingly.
1t was not till 10 O'clock of the day
the limit Of time fixed by the will ex-
pired that Miss Wyman kept her prom
Use and introduced Hatch into & room
where on a lounge, propped up by pill
lows, an old woman, wrinkled, hollow
checked, snaggle toothed. was waiting
to receive him. A clergyman had been
summoned, and there was nothing to