The Meeker herald., 1914-12-12
Mile Won
Strategy
IA Wedding undsr Diflieut'ss
y W. csAwrosD SHERLOCK.

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"Miille. 4 have requested Nj. Mitch
ell not to come here any more
Mrs. Thompson purred rather than
spoke the words. but her keen black
eyes were fixed intently upon her niece
as II expecting the news would provoke
n storm. She was not mistaken.
"what do you mean, Aunt Hetty ?"
demanded Miliie, her blue eyes flash.
Ing and her voice quivering with
sneer. "why should you tell Jack not
to call upon me again? l am not a
child and can see NO reason why you
should object to his visits II don't"
"You forget yourself, Millie." re-
turned Mrs. Thompson In the same soft,
purrirg tone. II am your aunt. your
:.ather's sister. and he requested In his
will that you should make your home
with me until you are either married
6r have reached the age of twenty five.
That makes me your guardian. NOR
ally if not legally, and deem 1t my
duty to break up your intimacy with
Mr.. Mitchell" b.
''why did you not object to Jack
when I flrst met him? Why did you
permit him to call here time and again
after we metz Why did you wait
until we are engaged to be married
before you offered any objections to
his visiting me?"
II am not compelled to answer such
questions. Millie Gray, especially when
asked no disrespectfully." psrred Mrs
Thompson. "but will do 10.
thought Mr.. Mitchell was q very esti-
him. This impression remained with
me until lately. when have had rea-
< son to believe him otherwise"
what Is your reason!" demanded
the girl shnrply.
II decline to tell you" replied Mrs.
Thompson. Her voice was still soft
and low. but her thin fingers twitchesi
nervousiy as II she were imbued with
a strong desire to scratch the girl 10
boldly confronting her. "Mr. Mitchell
shall not come here again. That u all
l have to say. OF course. AZ you are
Of age. l cannot prevent you from
meeting him ciandestIneIy. but 20 far
NJ my own home IL concerned shall
sndeavor to do my duty"
The suggestiveness Of her aunt's
words puzzled Mile. but their pur-
port became clearer to her a. she re
nected,
y II think I understand II al row.
Aunt Hetty," she said slowly and
scornfuliy. "You have deliberately
planned this thing. knowing that my
father. who hated the very mention Of
runaway marriaEes, provided that l
must be married At your home II l
am married. before am twenty I'VE.
II I am married anywhere else one
half Of my fortune will 60 to you. My
father made this strange provision. be-
lieying It would prevent me from elop-
ing with any one before had reached
Year, OF discretion. You introduced
me to Jack Mitchell and encouraged
him to come to see me. Now when we
are almost ready to be married you
trump up some objection to him In the
hope that viii run away and get
married. thus allowing you to become
pcssessor Of half my fortune. Aunt
Hetty, have never loved you. but
did not think you were capable Of
such a scheme"
"Believe what yOu please" retorted
Mrs. Thompson. purring NO longer. but
speaking harshiy and dIscordantly
Mr.. Mitchell shall not come here
again. You may do as you please"
II am going to marry Jack MITCHELL"
replied Mile quietly, 'and shall be
married In your home. That is all 1
have to say" And. turning, the girl
walked to her own room, leaving her
aunt to reflect over the last words.
Boiting her door to guard against
any Intrusion. Mile reflected over the
situation. She was now twenty. and
by waiting Ave years until she came
Into possession OF her fortune 1t would
be possible to prevent Mrs. Thompson
from obtaining any Of the property.
but the girls mind revolted ut the idea
OF waiting so long. She had known
Jack Mitchell for two years and had
been engaged to him six months. Five
years seemed lifetime. and she dis
missed all thought Of such plan.
Aunt Hetty should not profit by her
marriage to Jack-upon that at least
Mile was resolved-but how could she
possibly he married In her aunt's
home? Aunt Hetty. having been dis
covered In her scheme to secure part
Of the fortune. would spare no effort
to prevent her niece's marriage In her
home. 4s N
There seemed no way to solve the
problem. and Millie arose to take a
walk. thinking the fresh air might
bring some relief to her troubled mind.
As she stood before the mirror arrang-
Ing her hat she noticed the reflection
OF men moving about the adjoining
house, and she turned to investigate.
Men were taking up the carpet and
moving the furniture out OF the room