Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-07-10
|SHE DID HIS
! BIDDING ]
! Though 1t Was a Tax on ]
!: Her Maidenly Modesty !
By JUDsoN ARMSTRONG


care Of the property, attending to the
wants of his tenants, for excitement
occasionally indulging in fox hunt.
were futile Young Jack at eighteen
vent to America without his fathers
permission and remained there without
his fathers assistance. He enlisted in
the United States cavalry, served three
years as Il private, then on being dis
charged turned cowboy. All his father
knew about him was that he was liv
ing what the old man considered d dis
reputable life in the most barbarous
part of the United States
Sir John feebly called his nurse and
said to her. Tell Gladys that wish
to speak With her"
The nurse disappeared, and presently
girl between nineteen and twenty
came into the room and. approaching
the bed where the old man lay, placed
her hand on his forehead. looking down
on him tenderly.
what is it. Sir John?" she said.
Draw up chair and sit down.
have something to say to you"
She did as he required, and he con-
tinued:
II am preparing for my end. If you
were man instead of n woman
might leave things in better condition.
But even in that case the landed prop
erty is entailed and at my death will
belong to Jack. But it will be an en-
cumbrance to him without my other
property. which desire shall go to
you, who have been my only comfort
since you came to me after Jack left
81 have thought the matter out. so
far as it can be thought out. and have
formed plan 1t may seem a wild
one. but it is the best can do. l shall
make will. leaving the income on
my securities to you so long as you
live. and at your death the property
to be divided among the tenants of the
estate. But. in case you and Jack
marry. the personal property shall be
equally divided between you and him. '
Jack and marry!" exclaimed the
girl, catching her breath
Listen to me- know what the in
fluence of a good woman can accom-
plish After am gone go to America
and find Jack leave the rest to you
You will know how to proceed. II you
find that you and he can be happy to-
gether and a marriage between you
results you will have repaid whatever
have done for you. In any event.
you are provided for"
The girl sank down on her knees
beside the invalid.
Now co. he said presently, land
send a messenger to Mr. Goudy to
come prepared to draw will"
Jack Throckmortun was sitting on a
blanket with a number of other COW
boys, their horses mbbling the grass
near by, playing the American game of
poker, when man rode up and said to
him: "There's Il young lady wants to
| see you at the ranch house. She says
sage for you"
Jack looked up - the man anxious
| ly. He knew ii :, his father was IN
bad health, and Il message from Eng
land was to be dreaded He threw
| down his cards, mounted his horse
and rode to the house. A young gir
| sat on the veranda. and as he mounted
the steps he raised his sombrero tc
her politely
John Throckmorton she asked
rising
| 81 am.
81 am sorry to be obliged to announce
to you the death of your father"
The young man stood wrapped in his
own thoughts. his own emotions and
with bowed head He was regrettine
| that nature should have unfettered him
to walk in the path that would have
| pleased the man who was now ne
| more Death often brings such regrets
to those who are left behind Wher
he raised his head he saw two sympa
thetic eyes looking into his.
~ presume you wish to know who
am and how l came to bring you this
message. will not trespass upon you
grief now by telling you all. 1t is FOL
the present enough to say that ! an
Gladys Knowles After you left Eng
tuuu luy uleu, auU your luluC
took me in to manage his household
and be something of companion TO
him Before his death promised hin
that | would come to America, fine
you and endeayor to induce you to re
turn to England and assume the car,
of your estate Without some one t.
attend to it others will soon possess ii
and the tenants who have long live
under your fathers beneficent admin
iStratiou will suffer"
IF you had come before father
death. he replied. ~ would have gon
back at once and remained there be
cause it was his wish will so Gacl
now, get things in order and return.
could never be content to live the hum
drum life Of an English country gen
tleman."
"There is no hurry for your return
Your father left the estate in goo,
hands, and you will find everything Il
order"