Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1914-10-30

NO such thing l had made up my
mind before you made up yours
Il have no doubt Of 1t"
"Al the wealth OF the indies would
not have tempted me-
AT this point clerk entered and told
these two young persons that Mr.. cut
Ter would like to see them in his pri-
vate room The Indy sailed out FIRST,
with her head held high. and was fol-
lowed by the gentleman. who looked
as II he would like to have some man
give him an excuse to strike him.
When they entered Mr.. Cutters Office
they found him sitting at long table.
and he motioned them to seats on the
opposite side Then. taking up doc
ument that lay before him. he said In
professional tone:
"This is the last will and testament
Of David Hendry. After making
few minor bequests he leaves the resi-
due Of bis estate. which | think will
foot up something over a million dol
lars. to whichever of you two shall
first be married"
The announcement was received
with a profound silence. but stirred
volcano OF emotion In the breasts Of
the cousins. The first word spoken
was by the young man.
"In that event." he said. "the estate
will undoubtedly go to my cousin,
since she is engaged to be married aud
can comply with the provisions very
quickly, while | should be Obliged to
find a girl who would be willing to
marry me and whom I would be will
Ing to marry. This would take up
considerable time Besides, would
not choose wife simply for the pur-
pose of securing fortune"
Il thought" said Miss Clegg. "ycu
said you were engagedT
"Did IL"
"Yes; to u lovely girl"
A siczly smile came upon Hendry's
features and passed Immediately.
Pardon me- said the attorney.
THE testator appointed me to notify
you Of this singular provisi~a Of bis
viii Further than that have moth
ing to do with the matter except to say
that If either Of you marries and claims
the estate shall expect undoubted ey-
idence not only Of the marriage. but
of the hour. minute and even second
on which you are pronounced married
by the person who performed the cere-
mony. This must be sworn to and
certified by notary"
at is not necessary for my cousin to
take all this trouble so far as ! am
concerned" said Hendry. Il would
not be so ungallant as to keep her
from fortune If could, and I'm not
minded to marry at present see no
reason why she should not marry her
lover and enter upon the possession Of
the property"
II wonder why uncle didn't divide 1t
between u.s." said the girl after a
, pause.
Hendry rose from his chair and. ad-
dressing his cousin. said:
"You may take your time in making
your wedding preparations without
fear that | shall deprive you Of your
Inheritance, though as to this you must
act your own pleasure"
zone moment" said Lillian "Mr.
Cutler, can't we divide the propertyY'
mot until after one or the other has
been married and satisfied the terms
of the WILL"
Miss Clegg thought hard for few
moments. Ned" she said at last,
suppose you get married and after
the wedding give me part of the
property"
Suppose you do that"
Whom would l marryf"
marry? Why, that very fine fellow
TO whom you are engaged"
"Oh. dear, forgot! I'm not engaged.
/ said that only to make you feel bad
for the way you treated me when
Uncle
Not engagedY'
mo"
! Excuse me for mement," said the
lawyer. II have a client waiting for
me. ! will return presently"
When be had closed the door behind
him Lillian said:
"Dear uncle! He was very fond of us
both"
Yes. and he wished us to inherit
this property together. II | had not
made a fool Of myself over that red
headed, freckled"-
Don't speak disrespectfully of one
you have loved"
Love be hangedP
II have no doubt that uncle made
his viii as he did to bring US together" +"
THAT intention was
''Thwarted by you. l could no moth
ing since you preferred another"
Il didn't mean | don't"
IF you say word against the girl
you loved shall not respect you. Sup
pose it had been that you loved and
she were now charging you with hay-
ing preferred me to her."
you can forgive me"
She was siding up to him and he
was putting his arms about her when
there was faint rap at the door. and
Mr.. Cutler returned with the same
businesslike air he had worn when he
went out. though his knocking before
entering belied it.
"Mr. Cutler" said Lillian, ''you
needn't trouble yourself further about
this matter. We have compromised"
Indeed"
"Yes: Ned has apologized for bis bru-
tai treatment of me when Uncle Dave
tried to bring us together some time