The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-06-28

What is your businessi"
81 am lawyers clerk"
"RefereneesT
Fred placed ten-pound note on the
table, which she Immediately pounced
on.
That's business. You can have a
bed-sitting room for ten shillings a
week without board, or with board one
guinea"
Thank you. I'll board"
"Any luggage"
Il have been staying at Marley Hall.
l must send there for my things
marley HALL Do you mean Geof.
frey Winters place !
Eyes. Did you know him?"
Il did. All! he was a good friend to
me, always sending a little help when
l was short; and keeping dodgers is
not all profit, especially when they
leave without paying. May l ask your
name"
MY name is Blake-Fred Blake
and Godfrey Winter was my uncle"
"Ah!.I see we shall be friends. l
will do my best to make you comfort
able, but | am short-handed just now.
My niece used to help me, but she left
me some time ago. If you will come |
will show you your room"
When Fred Blake was left alone his
feelings were very mixed.
She's over forty-five If she's a day.
and her voice Is like a buzz-saw. 1
don't know what old Foster meant
when be wrote that she was In every
way desirable; but, anyway, her for
tune is and can win her in a week"
After a very short acquaintance with
Miss Coverdale he came to the conclu-
sion that he could win her in less than
a week. He fattered her, praised her.
took her to theaters and generally paid
her every attention, SO that she began
to wonder what was going to happen.
"She will be so proud of the idea of
getting married at all that l hardly
think she'll hesitate; so here goes"
And he stralghtway put his fortune
to the test.
Miss Coverdale was silent for min
ute.
do you really wish to marry me?"
would ask you IL / did not?"
"No, don't suppose you would. You
have been very kind and attentive to
me, but l did not expect this"
you will not refuse me?"
mo, Fred, | will marry you If you
wish it. know that have not many
attractions, and only wanted to make
sure that you were not asking me from
some mistaken motive"
$50 much am in earnest that | will
get a special license, and we can be
married as soon as possible"
"But why this haste?"
Because in fortnight's time nv
holiday will be up, and want to spend
our honeymoon at Marley Hail."
81 should like that; l have never
seen the place where Godfrey Winter
lived"
Having once obtained Miss Cover.
dales consent, Fred Blake lost no time,
and shortly after they We're made man
and wife.
Fred's first impulse was to drive to
Messrs. Foster and Arnold at once and
establish his wife's claim to the prop
erty; but, after thinking it over, he
decided to proceed to the Hall, as
there were many things he wanted to
arrange.
Half an hour after his arrival Fred
received wire from Jack Winter:
"Am bringing my wife down to see
the old Hall; have dinner ready"
Fred had relied upon having few
days to get his arrangements complet-
ed, but he reflected that his wife's
claim to the property was indisputable
and the sooner explanations were over
the better.
At half-past Jack arrived with his
wife. Mrs. Blake was upstairs dress
ing for dinner, and Fred was standing
on the hearthrug with as much of an
air of ownership as he could assume.
MARY, this is my cousin Fred, one
of the best fellows know"
Il am pleased to meet you, Mrs.
Winter, and to welcome you to the old
Hail."
"Thank you, Mr.. Blake; could not
rest until had seen the old place SO
/ made Jack bring me as soon as DOS
sible. | have heard so much about it."
At this moment Fred's wife, arrayed
In a gorgeous costume, swept into the
room. At the sight of Mrs Winter she
rushed forward with outstretched
arms
Mary"
"Aunt !"
"Who is this person" asked Jack.
turning to Fred.
This person, as you are pleased to
call her. was Miss Coverdale, but ID
now Mrs. Fred Blake, my wife, and
owner of this house."
what" exclaimed Mrs. Winter.
"My aunt the owner of this house
There is some mistake. am, or was,
Miss Mary Coverdale, and therefore
Godfrey Winters heiress."
"You?"
'Yes; Geoffrey Winter was an old
lover of my mothers, and he came to