Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-09-28
DRIVEN TO-
! @WEDI-OCK
And Handicapped by an
n'A'e@ 81
By ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
By ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

ALT Bennett was sitting at his desk
making up copy for the Chicago Times
when the postman entered and care
lessly tossed him letter. ALI was
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 an open,
honest expression on the mans face
that inspired confidence.
He picked up the letter, tore it open
and began reading:
Los Angeles, Cal. June 20. '01.
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 the Indians attacked the camp
twelve years ago.
May Is heart free as yet. and have
reason to believe you are the same
My lawyer. F. B. Goodfriend, will ar
range for you to meet her. Enclosed is a
check for 500. Come to California imme.
diately. Your uncle.
DANIEL r. ROCKWELL.
Hang itv' he calculated as he sur
veyed the situation I'D like to know
how it would seem to be a rich man.
or 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 a
new suit, bought his ticket and left
Chicago by an early train.
Arrived in Los Angeles. he immedi-
ately sought the Office Of F. B. Good
friend and introduced himself as Al
fred. D. Bennett of Chicago. nephew
of the late Daniel T. Rock we'll.
Glad to meet you. Mr.. Bennett! Take
a 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?'
1.-The one obliging me to marry a
girl have never seen. 1t is perfectly
ridiculousr'
The lawyer laughed till his fat sides
shook. why. that's the best part of
the whole will!'
1.-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"
II don't suppose the young lady likes
the situation any better than l. dos -
II 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 at the young
mans irritation.
Look here. Bennett. Come and sill
down and Wen talk business. I admit
If you please. the singularity of the
condition. though it seems more unac.
countable to you than to me. But you
would like the money your uncle has
left? Now, frankly. wouldn't your
'Of course would"
''That's honest. and respect you fol
the admission. Now. listen. You have
never met the girl. Who knows but al
may prove satisfactory tt
both: At any rate. you two must meet
The will specifies that. Miss Graysor
is spending the summer with her aunt
who owns a large olive orchard about
sixty miles from the city. am an old
friend of the family. Leave it all tt
me and Ill arrange meeting. You car
then tell whether the condition is en-
tirely obnoxious or not. What do you
say. young man?"
I'll do as you advise" replied ALI
who, having cooled off. was making ar
effort to view the affair in a business
light. 1T won't do any harm to SET
the girl"
Three weeks later Bennett took the
morning express out of the city. boun6
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 coulG
boast. when a buggy came rapidly W
to the station platform and stopped.
The agent hurried out to meet thu
driver. who was slender young girl
beautiful as a wild rose, with full DARK
eyes and a wealth of hair that seemed
to reflect the warm sunshine.
did Mr.. Bennett come on the train
do you know?" she inquired in a sweet
clear voice Mrs. Grayson sent me tt
meet her guest
II am Mr. Bennett" said the trav
sler. stepping forward and lifting his
hat to the fair driver.
II have come to drive you to Mrs
Grayson's." returned the girl.
THANK you" And he sprang ir
lightly and seated himself by her side
do you wish me to take the reinsY
he asked.
"Oh. no. thank you! Billy objects tt
strangers" she replied. :, ...
TOO bad | have put you to the trou
bic Of coming so far. though" said the
young man. stealing sidewise glance
at the lovely face 50 close t. bis own.
Il don't mind the drive at all. Be
sides. was almost obliged to come
she admitted with charming frank
Local G.. N