The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-10-23

read hate ana hostility In his; what,
he saw In my own ! do not know, but
after a while he ceased to watch mel
and again began reading his uuet
deeds.
| was thinking so busily that hard-
ly heard the conversation that was ta-l
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-?" I 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 schooa
year ends?"
Then. like worm that turns, Mr..
Spratt turned himself about in hic
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" answered
sarcastically. 1T is such serious
matter"
1T is serious" answered Mr. Sprarr.
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 mention that didn't
quite finish it?" inquired.
THAT admirable compilation, tho
| Code Napoleon" he resumed, "distinct-
ly lays down the principle that the be-
| trothal of a 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 a 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, 1t is twenty-five. In,
other cases"
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," I
painted. Under the Code Napoleon I
am a minor for financial purposes and
the-the betrothal-"
THE betrothal of a minor annulS
all contracts Of pecuniary nature.
that have not actually been carried
into effect" reiterated Mr.. Spratt
| Therefore"
my dearest Apne, what are you
driving at?" asked Charles.
| walked over to Mr.. Magniff
"My bonds" said, and flung down
his receipt before him.
He rose up, tottering. and grasped
the edge Of the table.
1T 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-r
was-meant to all along. I-I-I-"
"My bonds, please" repeated quiet
| ly.
'T'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 we'll for tricky trades
men, but not for the DIVES. You can't
afford to play 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 decisive+, 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 a sword. | pushed
some paper toward him and, dipping
quill into the ink, placed 1t in his
hands.
Write" said. debating. For value
received, namely bonds U enumerated
them), now in my possession, hereby
agree to relinquish to Anne Ives all
rights that ] possess to the castle and
estate of Clichy, together with the
mortgage upon the same, which I 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.
Now go, Mr.. Magniff," I said,
pointing to the door. And. IL you can
profit by II, take with you that for
giveness which you yourself denied"
Mary and Mr.. Spratt have promised
to spend their honeymoon with Charles
and me at Cqichy next July. And all
| that | regret" wrote Mary in her last