The Washington herald., 1908-07-06
MILES STRATEGY.
By W. CRAWFORD SHERLOCK.

"MiIlie. l have requested Mr.. Mitchell
not to come here any more" Mrs.
Thompson purred rather than spoke the
words. but her keen. black eyes were
fixed intently upon her niece as II ex-
pecting the news would provoke a storm.
She was not mistaken.
What do you mean. Aunt Hettyr de-
manded Mile. her blue eyes flashing and
her voice quiverlng with anger. Why
should you tell Jack not 20 call on me
again? / am not child and can see no
reason why you should object 10 his visits
II don't"
You forget yourself. Mile" returned
Mrs Thompson In the same soft, spurring
tone. Il am your aunt. your fathers sis
ter and he requested in his will that you
should make your home with me until you
were either married or had reached the
age OF twenty-five. That makes me your
guardian. morally II not legally, and
deem il my duty TO break up your in
timacy with Mr. Mitchell"
why did you not object 20 Jack when
1 FIRST met him? why did you permit him
10 call here time and again after we
met? Why did you wait until We are en-
gagged 70 be married before you OFFER any
objections 10 his visiting meT''
Mile had arisen and faced Mrs. Thomp-
son. Her voice was calm but incisive,
and each question was emphasized by a
sharp rap on the ebony table beside her.
Il am not compelled 10 answer any such
questions. Mule Gray, especially when
asked so disrespectfully." purred Mrs
Thompson, but l will do so. thought
Mr.. Mitchell was a very estimable young
man when you first met him. This I'm
preston remained with me until lately,
when I have had reason TO believe him
otherwise"
What IS your reason?" demanded the
girl sharply. IF any one has malgned
Jack. have the right 10 know. so I may
give him the opportunity to defend him
self What have you heard about him
l wish TO know"
L decline 10 tell you" replied Mrs.
Thompson. Her voice was still soft and
low. but her thin fingers twitched nerv-
ously as II she was imbued with a strong
desire TO scratch the girl so bodily con-
fronting her. Mr.. Mitchell shall not
come here again. That is all have 10
say. or course. as you are OF age. 1 can
not prevent you from meeting him clan
destinely. but so far as my own home IS
concerned, 1 shall endeavor 10 do my
duty"
| The suggestiveness OF her aunts works
puzzled AIillie. but their purport became
| clearer 10 her as she reflected
Il think I understand Il all now, Aunt
Hetty.' she said slowly and scornfully
You have deliberately planned this thing,
knowing that my father. who hated the
very mention OF runaway marriages. pro-
vded that 1 must be married at vouI
home il am married before l am TWEEN
! ty-five. II l am married anywhere else
one-half OF my fortune will go to you
Ny father made this strange provision,
believeing Il would prevent me from elop-
ing with any one before I had reached
years of discretion. You introduced me
| 70 Jack Mitchell and encouraged him "a
come to see me. Now, when we are al
most ready 20 be married. you trump uI
some objection to him in the hope that
I will run away and get married, thus al
lowing you 10 become possessed Of half
/ my fortune. Aunt Hetty, I have never
! loved you, but l did not think you were
capable OF such scheme"
Believe what you please" retortet
| Mrs. Thompson, purring no longer, but