The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-06-26
A LEGAL
RUSE
Bv ESTHER VANDEVEER

left his fortune 10 Ills uAuklter Il
would either spend the most Of 1t or
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 to Mildred.
Mildred loved Edgar Corneal and.
even II 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 scornfully. 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.
e, One day Mildred disappeared. When
Wingate learned of this move he was
disquieted. He feared some game.
but could think of no way by which
she could secure her fortune. What
he 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
lin case the said Samuel Wingate shall
refuse to marry my daughter Mildred
Winterfield. 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 case she would inherit the
property and might 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 CON-
plexion and dark brown eyes.
One day a young woman called Mt
Wingate's Office and applied for a 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 be 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.
II do believe" he said to himself.
that she is a decoy Of Mildred Win
terrified and her lover. The object is
to get me in a position where it a
be proved that | have made love to
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
so as 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 he
suspected their game till he had elicit
ed more Of it from the decoy. He
made no reply to Miss Darrow's com
m~unication. confident that he would
hear from her again. He did hear by
note. IN which references were made
to love passages between them which
had never occurred. This confirmed
Wingate's suspicious. But he did not
know what action to take. or. rather.
he decided that he had better take no
action at all.
In time another letter came from
Miss barrow. limiting at proceedings
for breach Of promise. Wingate con-
graduated himself on bis foresight In
laying down the scheme in advance.
A trumped up ease Of breach OF prom
to Miss barrow was to be turned
IUEO n CCAllSuI " u40kAv NAA0o VAAVSA
field. 1t did not appear to Wingate
that be should pay any attention to
these notes. By doing so he might get
caught in the trap being laid for him.
All he did vas to give orders that If
the Darrow woman came to see him
she was to be told that she could not
see him. Notwithstanding this order.
one day he looked up from his desk
and saw his unwelcome visitor stand
ing near him.
II have called" she said. Ito ask II
YOU intend to do me Justice"
II don't know you. madam"
lyon do know that yOn have asked
me to be your wife"
II have not"
Il give you your choice either to
marry me or stand suit for 100000
damages"
~ will neither marry you moi pay a
cent"
Wingate's desk was at one end OF q
long room. filed with clerks. and he
spoke the words purposely loud enough
for all to hear. No sooner were they
uttered than the woman turned to
xhccn rrooort ond coi6.