The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-11-29

ed dazed and remained in her chair.
apparently not understanding just what
had happened or. II she did, not know.
ing what in the world to do about 1t.
Neither of the girls was fitted to make
a good showing In such q race. Miss
Mortimer having so many men she
impossible to decide between them and
Miss Brown being so retiring that she
was incapable by nature Of asking q
man to marry her.
Miss Mortimer had very little doubt
that she could easily win. There was
Tom ScoviII. who had been begging
her to marry him for months. There
was Bob Hacksta6. whom she wanted
but had not been able to get because
he preferred Julia Green. Ned Tucker
had been buzzing about her lately. and
she thought 1t would be no trouble to
bring him to the point. Indeed. it was
not likely but that she could induce al
most any Of them to marry her. espe-
cially il she told them that by doing so
he would get a fortune. But there were
obstacles in the way of quick work. In
the first place. the only n of the lot
she wanted was Bob Hackstan: But
Bob. in addition to preferring Julia
Green. was an independent sort of a
fellow. and she had heard him say that
the last thing he would do would be to
tie himself up to some woman's for
tune. to have it continually thrown in
his face.
II WONDER" unused Miss Mortimer.
III there will be time for me to see
Bob and find nj how he would feel
about it. l'm afraid there won't be.
That little cousin of mine may be too
retiring to hunt up a husband. but
that kind of a girl Is easily hunted.
and as soon as it gets out that If she
marries before me she'll get a fortune
there'Il be a dozen men Offering to mar
~ her. Every one of them will swear
he has loved her since she was a baby.
and she u believe. every word of it."
Then She thought of the half million
that might be hers and what she might
do with it-how live. how dress and the
admiration it would bring to her. No,
she wouldn't send for Bob. 1t would
be a loss of valuable time to no pur-
pose. Why. just think Of %tt-every
ten minutes might be worth a hun
dred thousand dollars! While she was
celebrating her cousin might be pick
ed up by some designing man.
A pile of money is always an object
of attack. Old Muldridge, with all his
shrewdness and foresight, though he
could keep secret the conditions of the
Inheritance from his nieces till the pro-
per moment. could not keep it from all
men. The trustee had it and acted
upon it. He didn't want the inheri-
lance for himself. Indeed. he couldn't
have it. for he was married already.
He didn't want 1t for his son.. for he
had nc son. But when he saw little
Miss Brown sitting III his Office with
out any sign to be up and stirring to
secure a fortune he bethought himself
how he could help her and q nice
young fellow who was his clerk.
Henry Forsythe was hunting over
some lawbooks when his employer en-
tereu ana Sal0 TO 0in: .
Henry. there's 4 girl In the other
room who. II she can be married at
once. will win a fortune. Have you
got a sweetheart"
mo. MI. Andrews; l haven't"
"Weli. come in there and Ill intro
duce you"
Forsythe was presented In due form.
but since time was precious MIR. An
drews thought proper to state to the
parties concerned what 1t was In their
power to do--what 1t might be their
interest to do. Then. shutting the door.
be left them together. But, taking
time by the forelock. he sent out for y
the office.
Half an hour passed. and, hearing no
word from the couple In the other
room. he called out: thine ia precious.
Half II million at stake"
Ten minutes more elapsed. when Mr..
Andrews put his head out of the vim
dow and saw q carriage dash up aud
stop ut the door below. Out jumped
Miss Mortimer and a young man. The
elevator was at the top Of the building
Ut the moment. and some time must
pass before the couple could come up
Throwing open the door where he had
shut up Forsythe and Miss Brown. he
surprised Forsythe imprinting a kiss
on Miss Browns lips.
Times up" cried the trustee.
"Come here. Mr.. Parson. Hurry up.
Marry these two at onceT'
When Miss Mortimer and Mr.. Thorn
% Scovill. whom she had decided ,s
the only person she might marry In a
hurry. reached Mr.. Andrews' office.
they found him just coming from an
adjoining room and announced thar
they were ready to be married.
There's a clergyman here" replied
the lawyer. who has just performed
the marriage ceremony IN the case Of
your cousin. dare say he'll3be happy
TO marry you az well."%
my cousin marriedl' exclaimed Miss
Mortimer.
'Just married"
She sank in a chair and covered her
- $4,000 N--aA IA rFLaIr HH'I9I