Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-10-16

he saw in my own / do not know. but
after while he ceased to watch me-
and again began reading his title
deeds.
was thinking so busily that | hard
ly heard the conversation that was Ia
king place until suddenly Mary sprangi
out Of her chair and came over to me-,
her eyes beaming.
Anne" she cried. why didn't you
tell me?"
Tell you-?" muttered Absently.
THAT you were engaged" said Mary.
looking hurt and reproachful. 20, I'm.
SO glad and proud of you, Anne! And
Will you both promise faithfully to-
come to Canada when the next school
year ends?"
Then, like worm that turns, Mr..
Spratt turned himself about in higs
chair
Speaking of the school year." he
said, ARE you aware, Miss Anne, that
under law you forfeit your contribu.
tions to the teachers pension fund.-"
Dear me, how dreadful" answere6s
sarcastically. ut is such a serious
matter"
1T is serious" answered Mr.. Sprarts
hugging himself, mot by reason of the.
amount involved, but because it strikes
at principle deeply rooted in tho
laws and customs of the Anglo-Saxon
race-it penalties marriage Now im
France they manage things different
ly The admirable Code Napoleon, asv
you have doubtless read in the copy OF
my work which presented to you"
Dear me, Mr.. Spratt, will you be-
very offended if mention that didn't
quite finish it," l inquired.
THAT admirable compilation, tho
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 I'M
der the code your pension fund wouldf
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," n
painted. Under the Code Napoleon I
am minor for financial purposes and
the-the betrothal-"
THE betrothal of a minor annulss
all contracts of a pecuniary natures,
that have not actually been carried
into effect" reiterated Mr.. Spratt.
Therefore"
"My dearest Anne, what are you
driving at?" asked Charles.
| walked over to Mr.. Magniff
my bonds" l said, and flung down
his receipt before him.
He rose up, lettering, and grasped5
the edge of the table.
ut has been carried into effect" he
almost screamed. you can have the.
|
don't mind renewing the mortgage
was-meant to all along. I-I-I-"
my bonds, please" l 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 all very well for tricky trades
men, but not for the DIVES. You can't
afford to play a trick like that on me.''
my bonds, Mr. Magniff," reiterated
implacably.
Charles came up and placed his arm
round me. He understood.
mo, let him keep the bonds, Anne"
he said. He's right. We don't do.
things like that"
Then" said decisive4y, you must
keep Clichy. That is the price of them.
Do you agree?" continued turning to
Magniff.
He groaned as though my words mad
been a thrust of sword, | pushed
some paper toward him and, dipping a
quill into the ink, placed 1t in his
hands.
Write" | said, debating. "For value
received, namely bonds q enumerated
them), now in my possession, | hereby
agree to relinquish to Anne Ives ALI
rights that possess to the castle and
estate of Clichy, together with the
mortgage upon the same, which now
hold and all the accumulated interest
Is that legal?" | asked, turning to the
astounded Mr.. Spratt.
Irregular, but unassailable under
the Code" answered the little man,
rising heroically to the occasion.
Magniff signed his name and Estelle
and Charles affixed their signatures as
witnesses.
Nov go, Mr.. Magniff," / said,
pointing to the door, And, if you can
profit by it, take with you that for
giveness which you yourself denied"
Mary and Mr.. Spratt have promised
to spend their honeymoon with Charles