The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-01-23
Miles
Strategy.
By w. Crawford Sherlock.
BY w. Crawford Sherlock
Cops right. 1907, by &C. Eastmeut.

not to come here any more" Mrs.
Thompson purrcd rather than spoke
the words. but her keen black eyes
were fixed intently upon her niece as
if expecting the news would provoke
a storm. She was not mistaken.
What do you mean. Aunt IIettyi"
demanded Mile, her blue eyes flash
ing and her voice quivering with
anger. "Why should you tell Jack not
to call upon me again? am not a
child and can see no reason why you
should object to his visits if don't"
You forget yourself, Mile" return
ed Mrs. Thompson in the same soft
purring tone. Il am your aunt, your
fathers sister, and he requested in his
will that you should make your home
with me until you are either married
or have reached the age of twenty-five.
That makes me your guardian, moral
w II not legally, and | deem it my
duty to break up your intimacy with
Mr.. Mitchell"
"W'hy did you hot object 10 Jack
when J first met him? Why did you
permit him To call here time and again
after we met? Why did you wait un-
til we are engaged 10 be married be-
fore you offered any objections to his
visiting me-"
Mile had arisen and faced Mrs.
Thompson. Her voice was calm, but
inciSive, and each question was EN-
phasiZed 10y Il sharp rap on the ebony
table beside her.
IL am not compelled 10 answer such
questions, Mile Gray. especially when
asked so disrespectfully," purred Mrs
Thompson. but will do So |
thought Mr.. Mitchell was very cs-
Unable young man when you first
met him. This impression remained
with me until lately, when ! have had
reason TO believe him otherwise"
What is your reason" demanded
the girl sharply. "lf any one has ma
ligned Jack, have the right to know,
so | may give him the opportunity to
defend himself. What have you heard
about him. wish to know
Thompson Her voice was still soft
and low. but her thin fingers twitched
ncrvouSly as if she was imbucd with a
strong desire 10 scratch the girl SO
boldly confronting her. Mr.. Mitchell
shall not come here again. That Is all
of age, cannot prevent you from
meeting him clandestinely. but so far
as my own home is concerned ! shall
endeavOr to do my duty"
The sugGestiveness of her aunts
words puzzled Mile. but their purport
became clearer 10 her as she reflected
Il think | understand it 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, provided that
must be married at your home if ain
married before | am twenty-five. If
am married anywhere else. One-half
Of my fortune will go to you My ia
Their made this strange provision, be-
lieving it would prevent me from elop
ing with any one before | had reached
years of discretion. You introduced
me to Jack Mitchell and encoura ged
him to come to see me. Now when we
are almost ready to be married you
trump up some objection to him in the
hope that | will run away and get mar
ried, thus allowing YOU to become pos
sessed of half my fortune. Aunt Het
ty, | have never loved you, but | did
not think YOU were capable of such Il
scheme"
Believe what yOu please retorted
Mrs. Thompson. purring no longer but
speaking harshly and discordantly.
"Mr. Mitchell shall not come here
again. You may do as You please
Il am going to marry Jack MITCHELL"
replied Mllic quietly. land | shall be
married in your home. That is all
have to say" And, turning, the girl
walked to her own ROOM leaving her
aunt to reflect over the last words.
Rolting her door to guard against
situation. She was now twenty, and
by waiting five years until she came
into possession of her fortune it would
be possible to prevent Mrs. Thompson
from obtaining any of the property.
but the girls mind revolted at the idea
Of waiting SO long. She had known
Jack Mitchell for two years and been
engaged to him six months. Five
years seemed Il lifetime, and she dis
missed ALL thought of such a plan.
Aunt Ietty should not profit by her
marriage TO Jack that at least
Millie was resolved how could she
possibly be m%ried in her aunt's
home? Aunt IIetty. having been dis
covered in her scheme to secure part
OF the fortune, would spare no effort
to prevent her niece's marriage in her
home, and Aunt IIetty, small of stat
ure and not overly strong, usually ac-
complished what she started ont to do.
"What jolly row there would be If
Jack and the minister would come here
and try TO go ahead with the cere-
mony," laughed Mile as the ludicrous
eide Of such possibility appealed to
her sense Of humor. Il can imagine
Aunt Hetty taking Jack by the coat
collar and putting him out, despite his