The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-11-15

Miss Fidelity went away, evidently
satisfied with her experiment.
During the space when the old
clock was slowly striking nine, a
white-faced girl dropped softly from
her window to the grass not far be-
meath and stole stealthily away in the
shadow.
Could she ever brave the mysteries
OF the gloomy lanef What II Aunt
Fidelity should discover her absence?
What II Ben should be detained2 Sup
pose she had read the note wronglyf''
Mary Ellen, was afraid you
wouldn't dare comet"
Ben. don't know how l dared to!
But she made me 30 angry with the
things she said that--I couldn't help
I'll"
Tell me, Mary Ellen" The young
man wrapped her in a warm coat he
had provided, and walked slowly be-
side her over the crisp. dead grass.
There isn't anything want to tell
you, Ben; 1t Is all so unkind. And now
that the Castler Woods deal has come
up again, she is worse than ever. She
VOWS she win own them at any
cost"
And father is Just as determined.
Mary Ellen"
Il am scared to death to think
came, Ben. What II she discovers my
empty room2"
Ben Putnam stopped resolutely.
See here, Mary Ellen, we are both
young, and l meant to wait a while,
but she has herself to blame for hur-
Tying 1t up. love you-you know
that, Mary Ellenf"
Yes" whispered the girl.
And you love me, dearf7
"Y-yes!"
Il am going back with you now. II
you can get in undisturbed all right.
II not, I'll settle matters. II she
p,akes a fuss, we'll get married right
away. No one is going to dictate to
you any more. my dear girl"
At a sound of approaching steps
they turned suddenly. Mr.. Putnam
stood before them.
"Ren." he said, 'Tve bought the
CASTER Woods. That is settled"
"oh." walled Mary Ellen. shell
never forgive us now"
Mr.. Putnam chuclkled.
Come. children" he said at last, Il
guess I'd better see you both safely
home"
The window is closed" gasped
Mary Ellen. "she has found out
am gonel IL don't dare go In"
They approached the darkened house
silently.
Mr.. Putnam, striding up to the door,
raped resoundingly. In a moment it
was opened by Miss Fidelity. fully
dressed.
Il hear" began Mr.. Putnam, when
they had all entered the kitchen and
closed the door, that you call us a
low, dishonest family"
I do. Jed Putnam. and II you need
any particulars to refresh your mem
ory, / can give them"
Thank you, there is no need. ]
have tried for many years to prove
to you that you have misjudged me.
AS that has proved fruitless, ! am
going from now on to live up to our
reputation for dishonesty.
ITO begin with, my son Ben has. by
my advice and consent, stolen the
heart Of your niece. Not satisfied
with that rascality, have further de-
clared that. in case you do not give
your full consent, shall aid and abet
him In removing her from your pro-
lection and marrying her without your
consent"
Miss Fidelity stood grim.
AT eight O'Clock this evening
closed the deal for the CASTER Woods.
being fully aware of your unreason-
able desire to possess them. and Civ
ing $40 more an acre than you offered.
Even this consider a good bargain.
There is now but one possible way
for you TO obtain them. and guess
you know what that ia. Fidelity"
Miss Fidelity tossed her head In
dignantly.
What do you sayf WIN you let Mary
Ellen and Ben be married In a respect
able manner3 VIII you consent to call
yourself Mrs. Putnam for the sake Of
owning the CASTER WoodsT"
Mary ELLEN gasped at the audaeity
of anyone who dared defy her uncon'
Querable Aunt Fidelity.
A. 49,. -. ..onN