The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-09-30
A Will and a
Way
The Mysterious Woman Who
Could Neither Read Nor Write.
By BELLE MANIATES.

By BELLE MANIATES.
"His ruling passion was strong
in DEATH" remarked Jules borme
whimsically as he learned the con-
tents of his fathers will from his
fathers lawyer. "He knew that l
would not comply with the terms of
so atrocious a will to marry wo-
an who could neither read nor
write"
"You have a year of grace" re-
minded Coyle.
A year later Jules appeared at
the office of the family lawyer
"My lease is up, Coyle," he re-
minded.
"And l think 1 have found
way by which you can fulfill all
conditions and still retain your free
dom. You can marry woman who
can neither read nor write, and i'm
mediately after the ceremony you
can 90 abroad. At the expiration
of two years she can quietly secure
a divorce. You can spare a gener-
GUS alimony. l have met good,
conscientious girl who is perfectly
willing"
''Is she a domestic?"
''No; I believe she does needle
work"
"1t's odd in these days of schools
and truant officers that she escaped
the alphabet at least"
'EShe says she never has had the
opportunity nor the desire to learn.
I will arrange all details for YOU.
After some further discussion
Jules acceded to the proposition,
and at dusk Of the appointed day
he rang for admission to Coyle's
residence. The lawyer met him in
the hall and ushered him into a
dimly lighted library, where a min
lister and Henry Phillips, Jules next
friend, were in waiting. They all
went into the reading room adjoin-
ing. Near the doorway Jules paused
and looked into the room, which
was in total darkness.
With an odd sinking of the heart
Jules took his position beside the
shadowy form of woman. He
made the responses in quick, jerky
way, anxious to end the affair. The
woman at his side spoke in nearly
inaudible tones.
When the sentence of man and
wife was pronounced Jules returned
to the library and hastily signed
some papers Coyle gave him.
"Where is my wife," he then
asked.
"She remained in the reading
ROOM"
The young bridegroom hesitated; !;
then resolutely he turned and went
back into the reading room. His
eyes, now accustomed to the gloom,
discerned her at the end of the
room. She was sitting on couch,
her face buried in the cushions.
One arm hung listlessly over the
edge.
"May 1 speak with your" Jules
asked courteously.
She did not lift her head from
the pillow.
81 want to thank you," he con-
tinued, 'for the service you have
rendered me-"
She murmured a disclaimer of
his thanks. He took her hand. 1t
was still cold and trembling. His
grasp, firm and sustaining, tight
ened.
I am sorry," he said firmly,
"that you will not see me, but l
want you to promise me that if you
ever need help or advice you will
come to me"
II WILL" she said softly.
"Lormep' called the warning
voice Of Coyle from the doorway.
81 must go now. Good night"
He went to his lodgings and tried
to smoke away the burden of his
thoughts. The shadowy outlines of
the tall, dropping figure and the
low tones in which she had spoken
haunted him all night.
'FI suppose her motive was as
mercenary as my own, so l don't
need to reproach myself"
The next day he was leaning
against the railing of the steamer,
idly watching the scenes upon the
wharf, when he saw Phillips max
ing his way toward young girl
who was daintily petite in form and
lovely of face and feature. She
.ol