The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-09-11

READ nate anu nD3Liiily an futbs fWuht
he saw in my own do mot know. but
after while he ceased to watch me
and again began reading his title
deeds.
| was thinking 80 busily that hard
ly heard the conversation that was ta-
king place until suddenly Mary sprang
out of her chair and came over to me,
her eyes beaming
Anne she cried. why didn't yo1
tell me?"
"Tell you-?" | muttered absent1y.
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 a worm that turns, Mr..
Spratt turned himself about In his
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.. Spratt,
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
| -. Al. -
my work which presented to you"
Dear me, Mr.. Spratt, will you be
very offended If mention that / didn't
quite finish it," I inquired.
THAT admirable compilation, the
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 would
be returnable."
but | am not a minor" interrupts
| 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"
/ 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; l didn't catch it."
\ ~.
am 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 Anne, 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.
ut has been carried into effect" he
almost screamed. You can have the
money at once-before six o'clock.
don't mind renewing the mortgage
was-meant to all along. IL"
my bonds, please" / repeated quiet
ly.
''Ill 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
i q ford RI nj frio be fI,of
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 decisively, you must
keep Clichy. That is the price of them.
Do you agree?" continued turning to
Magniff.
He groaned as though my words had
been thrust of a sword. pushed
some paper toward him and, dipping
quill into the ink. placed it 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 all
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 10 the occasion.
Magniff signed his name and Estelle
and Charles affixed their signatures as
witnesses.
Now 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