The Press., 1910-05-18

"1 sympathiZe with you heartily, ]" she said, '.in being obliged to give up a fortune or take with 1t an old wo- man like myself. will tell you what will do 1 am as attached to Miss Dorchester as if she were my daugh- ter. She is of suitable age for you and a woman of rare good sense. l can safely trust her to carry out your grandfather's intentions toward you. If she will have you and you will have her I will make will leaving my property to you both jointly, Riv- ing her meanwhile control of the in- come"
 "But I don't know that I like Miss Dorchester" exclaimed, taken aback at this offer. Then after pause, twill she consent to the plan?'
 '"That is for you to find out"
 l had 10 hope that Miss Dorchester would marry me simply to gain a for tune, and i'll any event I should have to live with her and carry out my grandfather's wishes. But anything rather than beggary. I went to the young lady, told her of Mrs. Welles- ley's proposition and asked her to be my wife.
 What did she do but toss her nose in the air and decline to have anything to do with such proposition.
 1 left her furious. She would rather give up a fortune than be my wife. 1 spent the next twenty-four hours in inventing imaginary ways of tortur- ing her. The upstart!
 We all know that a woman scorned becomes a fury. There is no such adage about man, but there should be, "A man scorned is soon conquer ed" I resolved that I would make Miss Dorchester love me. then toss her aside as wax doll.
 In n few weeks l had softened her so far as to receive a proposition from her.
 'I cannot bear," she said. ito stand between you and 2 fortune. I feel that it will be impossible for Mrs, Welles- ley to carry out your grandfather's ins tentiOns toward you. will agree to her proposition to marry you provided you will promise to go away and not trouble me-
 I had secured terms that in the be- ginning would have considered very acceptable. But what did consider them now? An insult.
 'Are you aware" l said, the color rising to my cheek and q spark glitter ing in my eye. "that you are by no means fiattering?"
 ''But I supposed what you wish is to go abroad and break your neck, climbing mountains"
 "Ohw I exclaimed ironically. "Il that case you would not be troubled with me further"
 "And death would release you from living with a wife you had married for convenience"
 In this retort 1 fancied 1 could de@ pain. Twas surprised. l went to he and laid my hand on her arm. I wa9 not repulsed.
 ''I think" I said, "that you could carry out my grandfather's wishes. At any rate, try. will do all can to help you.''
 "To retain your fortune" she saidA pouting.
 "And become loving husband"
 '
 The evening before the wedd when l was q hundred miles from intended bride. l was thrown ipl wild state by the receipt of the ing telegram:
 You must marry your grandmot CT all, or lose your fortune.
 What new complication c arisen? Why could not those be certain of anything? l had violently in love with Miss DOft and would not in any event gi up. I replied:
 Grandmother be hanged! I will M you tomorrow.
 could not get train till early next day, but after sleepless nil at 5 q. m was steaming toward Il bride that was to be, On my arrival hesitated whether to go at once to see her and discover the meaning of her telegram. but there was little time, and my mind was made up as to the marriage, so I dressed for the wedding before setting out. dashed up to the house in a carriage, alighted and hur9 ried up the steps. Agnes was standing in front window In bridal array, hef face radiant with happiness. Rushing into the room where she was, caught her in my arms.
 Whats the matterY' asked, breath less.
 You're going to marry your grand+ mother"
 ''No, I'm not. Pm going to marry you"
 "Pm your grandmother" Her eyes were dancing hornpipe.
 Then I saw it all. My grandfather had married her instead of the old woman. She had been playing a game with me. My grandfather in the pres Ance ot death had hit upon the expe- dlent of marrying the girl who had been supplying my place by devoting herself to him. This would make her stronger in law, though he left will in her favor telling her that it was his wish that she should marry me and make q man of me.
 But she had no mind to make a business transaction of the matter. She had therefore put an old woman forward to personate her as the widow while she stood ill the background. The old woman had nothing else to do with the matter except to receive u handsome salary. I had been com pletelv' duped, but had become so inn pressed with the ability and good sense of my real grandmother that the I was piQued was hopelessly in love.
 Cool Presence of Mind.
 Debtor (to shopgirll- It's an outrage for your employer to have you present this bill here at the railroad station in the presence of all these people! Tell him I'll attend to the matter as