Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-10-29
BY AODIsoN HOWARD GIBSON

All Bennett was sitting Mt his desk
making up copy for the Chicago Times
when the postmnn entered and care
lcssly tossed him n letter. ALI was
somewhat new TO the business. and his
shabby suit and rusty shoes gave evil
dence that his checks. like angels
visits" were few and far between.
Yet In spite Of this there was nm open.
honest expression on the mans face
that inspired confidence.
He picked up the letter. tore Il open
and began reading:
Los Angeles. Cal. June %. 'oi
Dear Nephew When you read this !
shall be In my grave My Arizona mines
have brought me considerable wealth. and
my lawyer will inform you that | have
made you my heir, but on one condition
that you marry May Grayson. daughter
OF the man who gave his life TO save
mine when tho Indians attacked the camp
twelve years ago.
May is heart FREQ as yet. and have
reason to believe you are tho same.
My lawyer. f. II. Goodfriend. will ar
range for you TO meet her. Enclosed Is a
check for 500. Come 10 California iinme-
diately. Your uncle.
DANIEL I. ROCKWELL.
Hang it, he calculated as he sur.
veyed the situation. I'D like TO know
how 1t would seem to be rich man
OF course anybody would. But why
didn't he marry some nice woman him
self and have a family OF his own to
leave his money to? That would have
left me out entirely. Butch. plague
take that condition"
Thinking there might be, after all,
some modifying clause In the will
whereby this annoying feature could
be avoided. he arrayed himself In q
new suit, bought his ticket and left
Chicago by an early train.
Arrived In Los Angeles, he lmmedi-
ately sought the Office Of +. B. Good
friend and introduced himself as Al
fred d. Bennett Of Chicago. nephew
of the late Daniel L. Rockwell.
"Glad TO meet you. Mr.. Bennett! Take
seat. and We will talk matters over"
There is one feature Of my uncle's
will that gives me good deal Of an
noyance." remarked the young man.
seating himself near the lawyer.
which one Is that?"
THE one obllgng me to marry a
girl | have never seen. 1t is perfectly
ridiculous!''
The lawyer laughed till his fat sides
shook. why. that's the best part of
the whole will.''
THE worst part. you mean." said
ALI desperately. But isn't there any
modifying clause? There surely must
be-"
mo, there is none until you have
tried and failed to WOO and win the
lady Of your uncle's choice"
Il don't suppose the young lady likes
iiuation any better than | do"
don't know that she does. but Miss
Grayson had daughters love for your
late uncle and humored all his vaga-
ries.' returned the lawyer. trying to
hide his amusement Mt the young
mans irritation.
Look here. Bennett. Come and sit
down and well talk business. admit.
II you please. the singularity OF the
condition. though II seems more unac-
countable 10 you than TO me. But you
would like the money your uncle has
left? Now. frankly. wouldn't you?"
"0f course would"
That's honest. and ! respect you for
the admission. Now. listen. You have
never met the girl Who knows but an
acquaintance may prove satisfactory to
both? At any rate. you two must meet.
The Will specifies that. Miss Grayson
Is spending the summer with her aunt.
who owns n large olive orchard about
sixty miles from the city. am an old
friend of the family Leave II all to
me and I'll arrange meeting. You can
then tell whether the condition is en-
tirely obnoxious or not. What do you
say. young MANI
"l'll do ms you advise" replied All.
who. having cooled of. was making an
effort TO view the affair in a business
light. st won't do any harm TO see
the girl"
Three weeks later Bennett took the
morning express out OF the city. bound
for the little station sixty miles dis
tant. Arriving there. he was disap-
pointed to find no conveyance awaiting
him and was just starting for the little
hotel. the only one that the place could
boast. when buggy came rapidly up
to the station platform and stopped.
The agent hurried out to meet the
driver. who was a slender young girl.
beautiful as wild rose. with full dark
eyes and wealth OF hair that seemed
to reflect the warm sunshine.
did Mr.. Bennett come on the train.
do you known" she inquired in sweet.
clear voice. Mrs. Grayson sent me to
meet her guest"
81 am Mr.. Bennett" said the trav.
eler. stepping forward and lifting his
hat TO the fair driver.
81 have come TO drive you TO Mrs.
Grayson's." returned the girl
THANK you" And he sprang In
lightly and seated himself by her side.
do you wish me 10 take the reinsT
he asked.
"oh. no. thank you. Billy objects TO
strangers" she replied.