Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-11-21
CHAPTER w.


What had not foreseen WAS the means
by which Lynn Yeames precluded an offer
of marriage being made to Miss Dalrym-
pie by his uncle. l had not thought of
him making love to her himself; rather I
anticipated his taking some underhand
measures, in conjunction with his mother,
to prejudice F'lexmore against her. "You
have not encouraged your nephew's Wis
its, have you, George?" l asked
NO; at the same time | could not re-
fuse to receive him. There is nothing i'm
his behavior | could take exception to.
Indeed, he has tried his utmost to make
himself agreeable"
Il don't doubt that for moment, hang
him! He can make himself pleasant if
he likes, or unpleasant, either. l war
rant he's clever enough to keep his moth
er out of sight. What effect has he made
on Miss Dalrymple with his agreeable
ways?"
II am afraid she likes him. 1t is only
natural she should be brighter and gayer
in his society. l am very duh. and there
are no visitors here-none of her own age
and then Lynn is clever and lively. he
plays nicely, and sings well, too. He is
gracious"
I'VE must stop it at that. There's no
time to be lost" said l.
do you think he intends to marry
her?"
Not unless he's sure she has money.
If your money were settled on her, he
would. We will set his mind at rest on
that subject. You must sign your will.
and give me permission to make its pro-
visions known to DR.. Audrey. l wager
that we will soon put Master Lynn's nose
out of joint"
| took care to be on the road about
the time Audrey, was starting on his
rounds, and when he came up in his gig 1
asked him TO give me a lift as far as
Langly. He had to shift half a dozen
books from the seat beside him to make
place for me.
what on earth are you carting your
library about for?" 1 asked.
They're only books of reference. Going
along straight roads and up hill l can
give the old pony the reins and do a bit
of work.
You're burning the candle at both
ends; it's bad enough to sit up half the
night over your books. Families don't
care for bachelor doctors You ought to
marryw
Marry" exclaimed Audrey with a
grim laugh; and then he looked ruefully
into the distance.
Yes, marry" l repeated. There's
Miss Dalrymple; you ought to marry
her"
What, do you think she likes me?"
he asked, with eager quickness.
II don't know who doesn't like YOU"
"Oh, in a general way" said he in a
tone of disappointment. well, suppos-
ing she had liked me we'll enough to risk
the chance of poverty, do you think it
would have been fair to take advantage
of her courage, knowing what an unlucky
beggar 1 ann"
But you're not an unlucky beggar,"
said 1. Read that" and I put the draft
of old Flexmore's will into his hand,
open. that he might have no hesitation
in glancing at it.
He just ran his eye down the draft,
which could be read at a glance, for 1
pride myself on writing legibly and bold
ly. and then exclaimed, turning to me in
establishment:
Great powers. Why should Elex-
more leave me all this money!"
That you may marry the girl you
love, and that his child may have good
woman as well as a good man to protect
and befriend her.
he dropped his hand, and 1 folded up
the draft and slipped it back in my
pocket. When l glanced at him again he
was staring into the distance, and there
was moisture on the lower lash OF his
eye.
TOO late. too latei' he faltered. II
1 had only known this a week ago!" ;
well, what difference would that have
made? The draft was made out fort
night ago."
He shook his head. Don't you know
that Lynn Yeames is in Love with herr