The Washington herald., 1914-05-13
DAILY SHORT STORY.
THE DELBRDaE DILEMMA.
d. PETnR DAKE.

Frank Delbridge opened the letter ard
read 1t with eyes that slowly widened
with surprise. Suddenly he tossed IT into
his wife's lap.
Read that. JEAN
Mrs. Deibridge scanned the typewritten
lines and her cheeks grew pink.
Dear Sir" 1t read. I'VE are fncIosins
a copy Of the last viii and testament OF
your great-aunf, the late Miss Sarepta
Delbridge. Az you may remember when
Miss Delbridge died two months ago no
will could be found. but our Mr.. simp-
kins. who has just returned from an ex-
tended trip abroad. recalls that he drew
up will for Miss Delbridge before his
departure, and search Of our vaults
has resulted in its discovery today. You
will note that the principal clause In this
will affects you very closely. Please call
at our Offices at an early date and confer
with us concerning your compliance with
the rather singular demands Of your aunt
Faithfully yours.
BOND SEARCH.
"Attorneys-at-law.'
Jean looked up with sparkling eyes
"Oh, Frank, isn't II lovely of your
Aunt Sarepta? OF course. you will agree
to any conditions she has made
Frank held up his hand. Its too late.
honey" he said dismally. I'VE have lost
5000"
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
10000 in cash, provided that i married
the granddaughter of an old sweetheart
of hers, II fail to carry out her wishes,
the dollars 60 to the girl What luck"'
Jean began to cry.
coming over to comfort her. Never
mind about it-we've been as happy as
crickets on my twelve hundred year.
and We will continue So
Jean lifted a fearful face. I'm afraid
you'n regret having married me. Frank.
II II wasn't for me you would have SO.-
600. and now I am afraid that you will
look on me as a sort Of barrier between
you and a fortune"'
Frank threw back his head and
laughed.
"a barrier, indeed" he jibed "A
hedge. call 1t. a hedge Of sweet-smelling
pink roses-with now and then a prickly
thorn, My bonny Jean. do you really
believe that would marry Aunt
Sarepta's old sweetheart's granddaugh-
ter?-ye gods. what a farfetched connec-
tion-because IL you do you are mis-
taken
II shall always be jealous Of her,"
smiled Jean through her tears.
of course" grunted Frank.
What Is her nameg"
blessed IL I know" Frank picked up
Ie will and scanned II frowningiy. she
doesn't mention any names save that the
name of the old lover as well as that Of
the granddaughter are contained in a
sealed envelope in the care Of Mr.. Simp-
kins, silent partner of the law firm
OF Bond & Search. She says that Mr..
Simpkins will arrange SO that / may be
introduced to the young woman. It's
rather a cold-blooded proposition to come
from such a 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 We're not
married there would be no dilemma;
all you would have to do would be to
go to Mr.. Simpkins. meet the charming
girl. marry her and be happy ever after
with your horrid old s50.0oo',
I'm glad 1t didn't happen until after
I met your smiled Frank The will
was drawn long before / met you-and
yeu know Aunt Sarepta was feeble
minded for a year before she died-so
she never knew you"
Frank. can you really say you are
giad?' Jean looked straight into his
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 that that Miss What's
Her-Name will be the richer by $4,000"
This happened at breakfast time.
That same night when Frank Delbridgt
reached his little apartment in the Bronx
he was disappointed to find the rooms In
darkness. Ever since their marriage, sew.
eral months before. Jean had always me-
him at the hall door. radiant with de-
light.
He went through the rooms swapping OF
the electric lights until the reached tn,
bedroom. Here he was startled to finc
a note conspicuously placed on the pin
cushion.
His finger shook when he opened it.
Darling Husband I've been thinkin.
about Aunt sarepta's will all day-and
have resolved that l cannot come be
tween you and your fortune. So I an
going to leave you free to marry tina
know I'm horrid, but my heart Il
breaking. JEAN.
Frank dashed the tears from his eye
and smiled tenderly. My barrier o
roses-with the jealous prickles there, NJ!
| bonny Jean, you are worth a thousant
| fortunes to met
He left the house and took a subwa,
train to Brooklyn where jeans sistel
lived. He was quite sure that Mrs. Pres
colt would be the first one that JeaI
would think of.
Mrs. Prescott met him. her fair fac,
puckered with anxiety.
1 sDo fall me uh Is the rnatfer wifi
JEAN" she urged.
| Frank related the events Of the morn
ing and then demanded to see his wife
| 1t was a sorry-looking Jean who CANT
downstairs and stumbled into his arm:
with a happy sob of relief.
do you really prefer me to the for
tuner" she asked.
Would 1 have come after you other
wise?'
Frank took his wife home again. ant
they settled down to their happy life a.
it had been before the advent OF thu
lawyers letter had darkened the horizon
| of their contentment.
One day Frank came home, pale ant
worried. I'm sorry, dear he said, ''bu
| they're reduced expenses at the office
| and I'm going to be dropped on the frs
| of the month";
Jean turned a smiling face toward thi:
misfortune. She drew cheerful picture
of long lines of prospective employers
all eager to secure the services of suci
ian expert accountant as Mr.. Frank Del
bridge, and she promised to study tn
advertisements in the daily papers am
sclip those that she thought her husband
might condesccnd to fill.
II shall begin tonight" she said. whei
the dinner dishes had been cleared ava,
- aif in the LITTLE Hv