The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-13
The Euenine Story
The Delbridge Dilemma.
(By Peter Dane. J

The Delbridge Dilemma.
(By Peter Dane.)
Frank Delbrid9e opened the letter
and read it with eyes that slowly Wild
ened with surprise. Suddenly he toss
| ed 1t into his wife's lap.
Read that JEAN"
Mrs. Delbridge scanned the type
written lines and her cheeks grew
pink.
Dear sir.'' it read. I'VE are In
| lament OF your Ereat-aunt, the late
Miss Sarepta Delbridge. Az you may
remember. when MiD Delbridge died
two months ago no will could be
found, but our Mr.. Simpkins. who has
just returned from an extended trip
abroad. recalls that he drew up a will
for Miss Delbridge before his depar-
ture, and q search Of our vaults has
resulted in its discovery today. You
will note that the principal clause in
Please call at our offices at an early
date and confer with US concerning
your compliance with the rather sin
gular demands of your aunt. Faith
fully yours. BOND & SEARCH.
"Att0rneys-at-Law. :"
'sOh. Frank. isn't it lovely of your
Aunt Sarepta? OF course you will
agree to any conditions she has
made"
Frank held up his hand. ITS too
have lost $s0.o0o!"
Fifty thousand dollars:" echoed
Jean, turning pale. What do you
mean. Frank ?"
Frank looked up from the will
which he had been reading.
MY Aunt Sarepta left me the sum
of $4,000 In cash. provided that I
married the granddaughter Of an old
sweetheart Of hers! II I fail to carry
out her wishes. the dollars 90 to the
girl. What luck!"
Jean began to cry
What is the matter, dear?" he
asked. coming over to comfort her
Never mind about it-we've been as
happy as crickets on my twelve hum
dred year, and We will continue
Jean lifted a fearful face. .rm
afraid you'll regret having married
me, Frank. II 1t wasn't for me you
would have $4,000, and. now am
afraid that you will look on. me as
sort Of barrier between you and for
tune!"
Frank threw back his head and
laughed.
"A barrier. indeed!'' he jfbed. "a
hedge, call it, a hedge of sweet-smeN-
ing pink roses-with now and then q
really believe that would marry Aunt
Sarepta's old sweetheart's grand
daughter?-ye gods, what a far-fetch-
ed connectfon-because II you do you
are mistaken"
IT shall always be jealous Of her.
smiled Jean through her tears.
."Of course grinned Frank.
What is her name?"
blessed II I known Frank picked
up the will and scanned it frowningly.
that the name of the old lover as we'll
as that of the granddaughter are con-
tanned in a sealed envelope in the
care of Mr.. Simpkins, silent partner
Of the law firm of Bond & Search. She
says that Mr.. Simpkins will arrange
so that I may be introduced to the
young woman. It's rather a cold
blooded proposition to come from such
2 sentimental woman as Aunt Sarepta
has proved herself to be by this will"
We'll, it's too late to mend matters
now" sighed Jean. IF we were not
married there would be no dilemma.
all you would have to do would be to
go to Mr.. Simpkins, meet the charm
ing girl, marry her and be happy ever
after with your horrid old $50, O00."
I'm glad it didn't happen until aft
er met you'll" smiled Frank. 1.-THE
will was drawn long before I met you
and you know Aunt Sarepta was
feeble-mfnded for year before she
died-so she never knew you.''
Frank. can you really say you are
eyes.
He gave her back a long, steady
gaze and presently their lips met.
Now, I'm going to write to Bond
& Search and tell them that Miss
Name will be the richer
by $4,000
This happened at breakfast time.
That same night when Frank Del
bridge reached his little apartment in
the Bronx. he was disappointed to find
the rooms in darkness. Ever since
their marriage. several months before.
Jean had always met him at the hall
door, radiant with delight.
He went through the rooms snap
ping on the electric lights until he
reached the bedroom. Here he was
startled to find q note conspiciously
placed on the 2incushion.
His finger shook when he opened It.
Darling Husband-I've been think
ing about Aunt Sarepta's will an day
and have resolved that cannot
come between you and your fortune.
marry that girl-and hope she isn't
q bit pretty. I know I'm horrid, but
my heart is breaking. JEAN.
Frank dashed the tears from his
eyes and smiled tenderly. Ny bar
rier Of roses-with the Jealous prickles
there! Ny bonny Jean. you are worth
q thousand fortunes to mel
He left the house and took = SUBJ
way train to Brooklyn where Jeans
sister lived. He was quite sure that
Mrs. Prescott would be the first one
that Jean would think of.
Mrs. Prescott met him, her fair face
puckered with anxiety.
Frank related the events Of the
morning and then demanded to 80
his wife.
It Vas . strengthening Jean who
came downstairs and stumbled into
his arms with happy sob Of relief
do you really prefer me to the
fortune 20 she asked.
Would 1 have come after you
(OthorWioe -
Frank took hia wife homa aaniu