The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1914-03-04
A LEGAL
RUSE
By ESTHER VANDEVEER

SdLe. WHO WIS medueT ludn his eLu-
ployer. The old man knew that if he
left his fortune to his daughter she
give it away. He willed it to her
on condition that she marry Wingate.
The only way Mildred could inherit
without fulfilling this condition was
that Wingate should refuse to marry
her In this event the fortune would
belong 10 Mildred.
Mildred loved Edgar Corneal and,
even if she had not. would rather have
married an ogre than Wingate. The
problem was how to force him to re-
lease her. which was the only way by
which she could inherit her property.
she treated him scornfuIly, but did not
secure any response. Wingate bore It
without retOrt. By the terms of the
will if Mildred did not marry him
within two years he was to hold the
property in trust so long as he lived.
to have the income for himself
One day Mildred disappeared. When
Wingate learned of this move he was
disquieted. He feared some game.
bnt could think of no way by which
she could secure her fortune. What
be most desired was that she would
withhold her consent to marry him till
the two years grace had elapsed. after
which he would enjoy the income of
the property and manage the business
so long as he lived. The will read
in case the said Samuel Wingate shall
refuse to marry my daughter Mildred
Wintertield. at any time within the
said two years." etc. Wingate read
this over and considered the matter
safe. The will did not say how he
was to refuse, but this made no differ
ence. He would not refuse in any
form.
Wingate had no desire to marry Mil
dred Winterfield. Indeed. he had moth
ing to gain by a marriage with her,
for in that ease she would inherit the
property 2D6 citght make it unpleas-
ant for him. He had seen her only
once. when she was about fifteen years
old. an awkward girl. who was chang
ing to wOmanhOOd At the time OF
her fathers death she was a fine look
ing woman, with golden hair. fair com
pleXiOn and dark brown eyes.
One day a young woman called at
Wingate's Office and applied for posi-
ton as typewriter and stenographer.
There were no vacancies, and she was
refused. A few days later Wingate
received a note signed Elizabeth Oar
row. asking him if he would favor her
with a call since she had something to
tell him to his advantage. This re
quest. taken with certain glances Miss
barrow had given him. made him suS-
piciOus that she had designs upon him.
Then suddenly he was struck with an
idea
Il do believe" he said to himself
that she is Il decOy of Mildred Win
terfield and her lover. The object is
to get me in Il position where it can
this woman and asked her to marry
me. That would not be refusing to
marry Mildred. but they doubtless
have hit upon a plan to twist evidence
50 lis to make it appear that in making
love To their decoy | have refused to
marry Mildred There are plenty of
lawyers smart enough to do that. All
| have to say is if they catch me nap
ping they must get up early in the
morning"
After considerable deliberatiOn he
determined not to let it appear that ne
suspected their game till he had elicit.
ed more of it from the decOy. He
made no reply to Miss DarrOw's COM
municatiOn. confident that he would
hear from her again. He did hear by
note. in which references were made
TO !".r passages between them which
had never occurred This confirmed
Wtu~atp'S suspicious But he did not
KNOW what action To take. or. rather,
"a" decided that he had better take no
.,.'i.nt 1T MI.
"a j.ur aualher letter came from
.'j-~ DarruW. limiting ut proceedings
n' -,.'"l of promise Wingute CON
.-. '.i.@trd himself on his foresight in
.-sn. down the scheme in advance
I.'nmprd up case of breach of prom
- ~ Miss l'tti lON d" as ~ pN luA nv
mo a refusal to marry Miss Winter
friu 1t did not appear to Wingate
thai he should pay any attention to
these notes. BY doing so he might gel
caught in the trap being laid for him
All he did was to give orders that if
''Uhe barrow woman" came To see him
she was to be told that she could nor
see him. Notwithstanding this order
one day he looked up from his desk
and saw his unwelcome visitor stand
ing near him.
Il have called she said. Ito ask il
you intend to do me justice"
Il don't know you. madam"
You do know that you have asked
me To be your wife,
Il have not"
Il give you your choice either TO
marry me or stand suit for $100,000
damages
Fl will neither marry you nor pay II
cent"
Wingate's desk was at one end of a
long. room. filed with clerks. and he
spoke the words purposely loud enough
COR all To hear. No sooner were they