The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1909-11-06

means lOrty-uv0 years Olu oAb AeAeu
us to recommend q wife. He u q plain
man, not brought up a. Florence has
been, but he would make her = good
husband. We have tried to persuade
her to accept him. but have failed. I'm
Outstanding your ability to put matters
In their best and truest light. we desire
that you will talk to her with view
to persuading her to do what We oil
think best for her."
The result Of the interview between
Deane and Florence Miller was only
partially given to the board Of man
ayers. They were told that the doctors
effort had been q failure. He suggest
ed that they keep Florence 4 month
longer since she still needed attention
she must do without II she left. The
patient was permitted to remain.
After DR.. Deane's interview with
Florence Miller he attended q sale OF
household effects Of Enoch Gordon.
He had q special reason for doing 70.
He wished to buy q certain piece OF
furniture. He waited half day. when
the auctioneer put up an antique desk.
Dr. Deane. who had fancy for old
furniture, saw at once that 1t was not
only old, but an artistic bit of work.
The carving alone. done BY hand. must
have required some years to effect
There were several persons present
who appreciated the article. and the
bidding was spirited. But Deane was
20 persistent that the others finally
dropped ont and he secured the desk.
A few days later he saw Florence
Miller at the hospital and said to hef:
IL attended the sale and bought the
desk. AZ soon ~ got It to my rooms
l made thorough search. pressing ~
cry square inch Of its surface. especial
" the carving. am sorry to report
that II there Il q secret drawer in It
can't nDd It."
II regret that you have had % much
trouble" replied the girl. "You have
destroyed my only hope. but you have
done all you can do. and beg Of you
to take NO more thought of me-"
II must take more thought Of you.
1 have agreed with you that 1t was
better that you should decline the
farmers proposition. l feel 1t incum-
bent on me to provide you with sup
port or a husband. which II the same
thing. The only husband have to
offer Il myself. VIII you marry mer
A slight nush came to the girls pale
cheek. Had your offer been in a
form usual to lovers l might have con-
sidered 1t. As 1t 10. 1 cannot"
Dr.. Deane sat looking out Of win
dow thinking, and when he looked up
the girl was gone.
That evening hs sat before the
carved desk. He had been told BY
Miss Miller that her father and her
mothers brother. Enoch Gordon, had
died within q few days Of each other;
that the day before her uncle's death
he had sent for her and told her that
he had made q will In her favor revok-
ing former one bequeathing his prop
erty to his sister. from whom he wish
ed the act concealed till after his
death. The new will was in the carved
desk. 1t was not there unless in
secret drawer
Deane sat looking at the desk for an
hour. Then something suddenly pop
ped into his mind. These secret draw
ers In old desks were often made Of
steel. He went out, bought a pocket
compass and. returning. began to pass
It over the desk. In certain place in
the carving he noticed that the needle
was detected. Taking up 4 pointed
instrument. he prodded the carving
about this place. Suddenly out sprang
steel drawer. 1t contained but one
paper. 4 will Deane read 1t eagerly.
It recited that since the testator's BE-
loved sister was getting old and would
not need his property long he willed 1t
to his niece. Florence Miller. with the
injunction that she was to provide
for the said sisters maintenance.
Deane hurried away to the hospital.
my proposition Of matrimony." he
said. was unnecessary. All such ofers
In your case are unnecessary. You are
your uncle's heir" He handed her the
will.
Miss Miller took 1t and ran her eye
over It. On her face was one Of those
smiles which betoken t1se receipt Of
some especial blessing.
"Dr. Deane." she said. you have
converted me from q pauper to rich
girl. Anything you ask that have to
give shall be yours.'
There ID but one thing want Had
I asked for 1t in proper way ] might
have got It. Now It b too late
II see." she said. my fortune de-
prives you Of making your offer under
the same circumstances. but that for.
tune enables mo to make the offer 10
you. VIII you marry mel"
LAURENCE FOSTER CHURCH.