Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-10
} DRIVEN TO
} WEDLOCK
} And Handicapped by an
Inheritance
By ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON
Copyright, 1910. by American Press

By ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON



making up copy for the Chicago Times
when the postman entered and care
lessly tossed him letter All 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 an open.
honest expression on the mans face
that inspired confidence.
He picked up the letter. tore 1t open
and began reading:
Los Angeles. Cal. June 20. '0l.
Dear Nephew-When you read this |
shall be in my grave. My Arizona mines
have brought me considera bic 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. lnclosed is a
check for 500. Come to California imme-
diatcly. Your uncle.
DANIEL I. ROCK WELL
Hang II. lie tJdtullltil us nt Sul-
veyed the situation. I'D ike to know
how it would seem to be II rich man
OF course anybody would. ;ut why
didn't he marry some nice woman HIM
self and have IL family of his own to
leave his money to: That would have
left me out entirely. But-oh. plague
take that condition,'
Thinking there might be. after all,
some modifying clause in the will
whereby this annoying feature could
be avoided. he arrayrd himself in il
new suit, bought his ticket and left
Chicago by an early train.
Arrived in Los Angeles. he immedi-
ately sought the office of +. B. Good
friend and introduced himself as Al
fred d. Bennett of Chicago. nephew
of the late Daniel r. Rockwell
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?'
THE one obigng me to marry
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.''
"Ihe worst part, you mean. said
Alf desperately. But isn't there any
modifying clause? There surely must
be-"
tried and failed to WOO and win the
lady of your unclc's choice"
81 don't suppose the young lady likes
the situation any better than l do"
~ don't know that she does. but Miss
Grayson had daughters love for your
res." returned the lawyer. trying to
hide his amusement at the young
mans irritation.
Look here, Bennett Come and sit
down and We'll talk business. l admit,
II you please. the singuIarity 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 you?"
"Of 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 specifics that Miss Grayson
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 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 manW
Ill do as you advise" replied ALI,
who. having cooled off. was making an
effort to view the affair in a business
light. ut won't do any harm to see
the girl"
Three weeks later Bennett took the
morning express out of the city, bound
tant Arriving there, he was dsap-
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 a wild rose, with full dark
eyes and a wealth of hair that seemed
to reflect the warm sunshine.
ibid Mr.. Bennett come on the train,
do you know?" she inquired in sweet.
clear voice. Mrs Graysop sent me to
meet her guest"
~ 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 to take the reins?"
he asked.
"Oh. no. thank you! Ti,ly objects to
strangers" she replied.
TOO bad | have put you to the trOu-
BILE of coming so far, though" said the
young man. stealing sideWise glance
at the lovely face so close to his own.
II don't mind the drive at all. Re
IL, nI. NI,I =