The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1907-11-22
CHAPTER L.
"THE Cup"
10 |

happen to an engaged cou-
-OI pie, especially when they
B9A E9HI are just about to carry on
that enga cement to its le-
climate end, is the acquisition, by gift
or by Inheritance, by chance or luck
or windfall, Of house, good house,
in good situation, solidly furnished;
every young woman of judgment much
prefers solidity to aesthetics.
Imagine then, if you can, the un-
bounded satisfaction with which Kath-
arine received the intelligence that her
lovers uncle-his uncle Joseph-whom
she had never seen, for whose decease
she had not shed single tear, and
who was angry with Tom for not fol-
towing his own profession, had actually
bequeathed to him absolutely the
whole Of his estate, including, with all
kinds Of real and personal property,
beautiful great house, completely
furnished, in Russell Square, on the
east side, where they have long gar
dens, and where the sun shines full
upon the drawing rooms in the after
noon. Besides the house, there were
lands and freeholds, railway shares,
gas and water shares, trans, money in
funds, money on mortgage-why, there
was enough, it was certain, to make up
more than a thousand pounds year.
What happiness!' More than a thou
sand pounds year of additional in
come to couple who were going to
marry on about five hundred! And a
big house solidly furnished in Russell
Square! People turn up their aristo-
cratic noses at Russell Square, but
there are nowhere more comfortable
houses, and there is nowhere more
central situation. A truly wonderful
piece of good fortune! To be sure,
Uncle Joseph had only two nephews, and
therefore he might have been expected
to leave something to Tom. But then,
Uncle Joseph had never expressed any
Intention of dying. And again, Tom
had offended him because he would
become Journalist, and his uncle
could not understand how any young
man who respected himself could fol-
low & profession in which there was
no money to be made and no prizes to
be won except the editorship of a
paper. Now the other nephew, on his
part, in order to please his uncle, had
become a solicitor, and was now in
practice. But then the world had
never learned that this other nephew,
who was never seen at his uncle's
house, by long continued courses, hav-
ing a fine, bold nature, free from the
restraints of prejudice, had estranged
his uncle far more than Tom. And
now Tom had all, and the other-his
name was James Hanaper Rolfe-had
none. Tom had ALL In thinking of
this wonderful dispensation, Katharine
was fain to sigh, so happy she was,
and to say: "Poor, dear Uncle Joseph!
To think, Tom, that he has now gone to
world where word Of gratitude will
never reach him! And yet what
fine, clear insight into character Uncle
Joseph must have possessed to recog-
nize the splendid abilities and genius OF
his nephew-you, Tom. Poor, dear
Uncle Joseph
'What have I done, Katharine"
asked Tom, "that my uncle should
leave me all his money? He has an:
other nephew; he never seemed partic-
ularly fond of me; he never forgave me
for refusing to be articled to him;
only saw him two or three times
year; and yet he gives it all to me,
and none to Jem at ALL"
"Tom." said Katharine. "your uncle
knew which Of his family would make
the best use of the fortune. You are
going to be a great writer, and now
you can work at your leisure, and give
the world your very best, without be-
ing forced to dissipate your powers in
drudgery and distasteful work"
And yet-and yet-there does seem a
suspicion of favoritism about such a
wonderful stroke of luck.
Consider the position with more at
tention to detail.
Tom Addison was, as we have said,
seyen-and-twenty, and at present
journalist. As journalist he had not
yet risen to the lofty level of the leader
writer; but he was already known by
the editor to have considerable descrip-
tive power. With such a start, and
~ the aid of his own cleyerness and
gy, Tom was justified in aiming at
ighest journalistic prizes.
while he contemplated many
of drudgery before these should
him, behold! thousand pounds
more-ecti Dig house. In
'ght always to include
no comfort where you
T legs. A thousand
he could now do
re going off to
on Derby day;
board the press
race; no more
.ce for jobs; he
life for himself
nd above all, he
; he pleased, and
an incompara-
nxiety; Kath-
whatever hap
zszand to marry at
ID seemed as if their
hit possibly drag on
Dg engagement is
live me one which is
so brief that when
.ding-bells both are
first kiss, and still
tender thoughts and
the first confession.
Y in love. Katharine
of girls, and she had
lie world to look to but
lection and care; and
marry her at once. No
lis eyes filed with unac-
rs and his heart glowed
'ht of his Inheritance and
Good, worthy, excellent
What had he done for
for his part regarded
aps less affection than