Middletown transcript., 1914-08-15

after a while he ceased to watch me
and again began reading his title
deeds.
was thinking so busily that hard
" heard the conversation that was ta-
king place until suddenly Mary sprang
out of her chair and came over to me-
her eyes beaming.
Anne" she cried, why didn't you
tell me?"
''Tell you-3" muttered absently.
THAT you were engaged, said Mary,
looking hurt and reproachful. 70, I'm
SO glad and proud of you, Annel And
will you both promise faithfully to
come to Canada when the next school
year ends?"
Then, like a worm that turns, Mr..
Spratt turned himself about in his
chair.
Speaking of the school year." he
said, ARE you aware, Miss Anne, that
under law you forfeit your contribu-
tons to the teachers pension fund?"
Dear me, how dreadful" answered
sarcastically. at is such a serious
matter"
ut is serious" answered Mr.. Spratt,
hugging himself, mot by reason Of the
amount involved, but because it strikes
at principle deeply rooted in the
laws and customs Of the Anglo-Saxon
race-it penalties marriage. Now In
France they manage things different
ly. The admirable Code Napoleon, as
you have doubtless read in the copy Of
my work which presented to you"
Dear me, Mr.. Spratt, will you be
very offended If 1 mention that didn't
quite finish it?" inquired
THAT admirable compilation, the
Code Napoleon" he resumed, distinct
ly lays down the principle that the be-
trothal of minor annuls all pecuniary
contracts that have not been actually
put into execution. Consequently un-
der the code your pension fund would
be returnable."
But am not minor" interrupt
ed.
"The age of majority, under the
Code Napoleon, is not necessarily
twenty-one, Miss Anne" said Mr..
Spratt in grave rebuke. For certain
purposes, as this, it is twenty-five. In
other cases"
l saw the banker drop his title deeds
and grasp at the seat of his chair. His
face was drawn and tense. Next mo-
ment amazed Mr.. Spratt by springing
to his side and clasping both his hands
in mine
Say that again; didn't catch it," 1
painted. Under the Code Napoleon l
am minor for financial purposes and
the-the betrothal-"
"The betrothal of a minor annuls
all contracts Of a pecuniary nature
that have not actually been carried
into effect" reiterated Mr.. Spratt.
Therefore"
my dearest Anne, what are you
driving at? asked Charles.
1 walked over to Mr. Magnif,
my bonds" l said, and flung down
his receipt before him.
He rose up, tottering, and grasped
the edge of the table.
at has been carried into effect," he
almost screamed. you can have the
money at once-before six O'Clock. Z
don't mind renewing the mortgage
was-meant to all along. I-I-I-y
my bonds, please" repeated quiet
ly.
'I'll give you hundred thousand for
them, then he cried. "You wouldn't
rob me, bankrupt me, by legal trick
like that? You're people of honor
That's ell very well for tricky trades
men, but not for the DIVES. You can't \
afford to play trick like that on me"
my bonds, Mr.. Magniff," reiterateda
implacably.
Charles came up and placed his arm
round me- He understood.
mo, let him keep the bonds, Anne"
he said. Hes right. We don't do
things like that"
Then" 1 said decisively, you must
keep Clichy That is the price Of them.
Do you agree?" continued turning to
He groaned as though my words had
been a thrust of a sword l pushed
some paper toward him and, dipping a
quill into the ink, placed it in his
hands.
Write" said. debating. For value
namely bonds Il enumerated
them), now in my possession, hereby
agree to relinquish to Anne Ives all
rights that 1 possess to the castle and
estate of Clichy, together with the
mortgage upon the same, which l now
hold, and all the accumulated interest
Is that legal?" asked, turning to the
Mr.. Spratt.
Irregular, but unassailable under |
the Code" answered the little man,
rising heroically 10 the occasion.
Magniff signed his name and Estelle
and Charles affixed their signatures as
witnesses.
Now go, Mr.. Magniff," 1 said,
to the door. "And, if you can
profit by it, take with you that for
yiveness which you yourself denied"
Mary and Mr. Spratt have promised
o spend their honeymoon with Charles
md me at Clichy next July. "And all
hat 1 regret" wrote Mary in her last
etter, "is that you have had nearly
vear's start of us in matrimony. But
vou haven't had any start of US in
heer and undiluted happiness"
"We1l take them riding in our new
said Charles, when he had
.ead Mary's letter. Then we went
,ut to look at her in the new hangar.
Charles says that when aviation be-
zones safer he'll let me ride again.
BUT after my flight to Corsica I'm not
-. 41..A nhnII nrrn,., rro Mt 70