Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-29
The Argus Daily Story
An Inheritance-By F. A. Mitchell.
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau.

81 have called to ask your assistance
In a very important matter to me. You
have six daughters, all of whom are
well married. While 1 am willing to
admit, madam, that these ladies are
most attractive, cannot but attribute
something of the management of their
matrimonial affairs to you"
you are quite right, Mr.. Trevor.
Many OF the best women in the world
are not married, and many of the most
undesirable are. 1 believe this is due
more to a lack of management for the
girls on the part of their mothers when
they come to a marriageable age than
any other cause. My daughters, as
you say, are by no means unattractive.
but the fact that they are all well and
happily married is due far more to
management than their own charms.
What can l do for you, Mr.. Trevor"
81 have but one son, as you know
Arthur. l have spent my whole life
in building up fortune and from my
boys birth have set my heart in hand
ing 1t down through him to my de-
scendants. He disappointed me by
taking orders and now, being very high
church, has declared for celibacy and
refuses to marry"
81 see. You wish me to take such
measures as will break his resolution"
If you Will be so kind, Mrs. Whit
ridge, would like you to throw in
his way some young woman Of fine
character, of irreproachable reputation,
of intellectuap'-
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Trevor. I
thought you said you wished me to
manage the affair"
80 I do"
We'll, then, permit me to say that
think you must put up with a daugh-
| ter-in-law Of entirely different caliber
from the kind you name or none at all
1t does not strike me that such a WON
an would serve our purpose in the pres
ent case. l have known you for years
and am sure no son of such a father
can be reasoned or persuaded into
changing a resolution, once made"
How is he to be handled?
"Bamboozled."
"You fatter me indirectly, Mrs. Whit
ridge"
"a strong man doesn't need a strong
woman"
81 see."
81 have in mind young lady who al
school stood at the foot Of her class
but as a f1irt was at the head. She hal
had many offers, but If she is fool a
books she has practical sense enough
to wish for an establishment when sh,
marries. If you desire it will endeav
or, with your assistance, to make 1
match between your son and her."
ANY port in a storm. What / wan
is an heir of the third generation"
Every we'll. To begin l shall invit'
you and your son to dinner. The youn,
lady will be present. When you hav,
left US tell your son that you hav,
been much pleased with her and yol
wish she might become your daughter
in-law. He will demur, and you viii
insist After q number of converse
lions on the matter you will tell hin
that either he must give up inheritinl
your fortune or marry the girl of you
choice, provided, Of course, that sh
will have him"
He wishes my fortune for the pun
pose of building a cathedral"
so much the better. l shall Sc
something of him myself and perhap
may be able to make certain sugges
tiGns"
For what purpose|
ITO entangle him"
These preliminary arrangements hav
ing been made, Mr.. Trevor arose to &c
by the bye, Mrs. Whitridge," he said
81 believe you are managing directo
of St Luke's hospital"
81 am"
"You have not called on me for an!
help. | should esteem it a favor if yoI
would permit me to send you a check.
Il should be very grateful"
81 will give you $4,000 now and $50
COO he hesitated
ION the first of the yearT'
NO; on the day of my sons wed
ding"
Thank you very much, Mr.. Trevor
I think we understand each other. Yo'
will receive invitations for dinner with
in a few days"
The preliminaries to this scheme o
inveigIement were carried out as the.
had been laid down by Mrs. Whitridge
Miss Annette Seaton, commonly calle'
Nan" by her intimate friends. wa
the girl selected by Mrs. Whitridg
for drawing the Rev. Arthur Trevo
from celibacy. A month passed, at tn
end Of which 1t was reported that MI
Trevor Sr., had set his heart on Nal
!, Seaton for a daughter-in-law. but hi
, son objected naturally to one who wa
to be described in two words, stupid
and pretty" 1t was admitted tina
she had been fancied by men of he
own caliber. but match with one o
the spiritual and intellectual power .
Arthur Trevor was preposterous.
One day the clergyman called o.
Mrs. Whitridge for assistance. M
dear Mrs. Whitridge," he said, by in
PRODUCING father and me to Miss Sea
ton you are likely Internationally +
| rob the church Of cathedral \ nro