The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-12-16

that sounded) and assure you that
in asking for your hand l do it with
all the sincerity and respect a Scott
can be capable of. Will you marry
me?"
"Yes-Alfred," she said, blushing up
at him, and in a moment she felt the
dispassionate embrace and judicial
kiss of the last highly evolved men,
Der Of the ancient family of Scott.
She felt he might have shown some
emotion, if ever so little, at this, the
greatest moment of their lives; but
was reassured with the thought that
his high breeding and fine origin more
than compensated for the lack of any
momentary display of passion.
Il have my car at the door, Alfred.
It's been waiting for me for over an
hour. Will you ride with me, out into
the country? We can be alone. feel
we should be alone today"
AS you wish, dear. shall be de-
lighted"
Then go out and wait for me at the
gate. l shan't be a minute. l want
to get some wraps"
She went with swift, glad steps to-
ward the house and he sauntered
languidly to the gate.
When he reached the sidewalk, his
gentle, delicate nature was shocked at
the sight Of John HUFF, his tobacco
mist, and one of his many creditors, in
an attitude denoting deliberate wait
ing
"Mr. Scott, sir. I've taken the lib
erty-"
Il should say you had taken a
liberty" Scott cut in. How dare you,
sir!"
But" pleadingly, this bill has been
running for eight months now, and |
have bills myself must meet"
Il can't talk of this matter now"
Then, suddenly, as he saw nasty
CLINT harden the others eye, Listen,
Huff" in a coneiliatory tone, "and
don't let this go any further"-conti-
dentally-"I expect to marry the mis-
tress of this house very shortly" with
look of subtle assurance, "and then
l shall settle in full. In the mean
time. don't make yourself evident Go
away now"
A moment later Anita, dressed for
motoring, and looking infinitely hap
py, appeared at the gate.
w.
They rode great distance, through
small towns and sleepy villages, way
on up into the mountains, and arriv-
ing at the village of Haslon about two
o'clock in the afternoon. The car
was crawling slowly along the main
street when their attention was At
tracted to a low red brick building,
the only brick building they had thus
far seen in the town.
II wonder what that is 1t seems
out of place here" she laughed.
Courthouse, probably" he said;
and then, struck with a sudden
thought, 81 say, Ann, wouldn't it be
lark to go in there and get mar
ried-right now!
They went; and, when she rode
home again in the sweet pink glow
of June evening, it was as the wife
of Alfred Scott, the last of the noble
old family of Scotts
They were met at the gate by her
butler
Miss Logan, ma'am, There's a
man in the library, ma'am, who says
he wants to see you. Very important
business, he says"
did he tell you his name?"
"Yes'm. Rodgers" he said. Henry
Rodgers"
"oh, to be sure. Rodgers. He's my
attorney"
When they reached the library,
Henry Rodgers rose from his chair
and bowed courteously.
Good evening, Miss Logan.
shouldn't have awaited your coming
SO persistently only in going over
your fathers will again today hap
pened on a clause which, I'm sorry
to say, has hitherto escaped my at
tention."
what is it," she asked nervously
"Why it's in the nature of a re-
strictive clause, Miss Logan. 1t pro
vided that If either you or your sis
ter marry before reaching the age Of
twenty-five, you forfeit your share OF
the fortune"
Anita was stunned at this startling
disclosure, and for a moment was
speechless. Then she turned quickly
confidently to her husband, and
found his eyes intent upon her. His
face had gone suddenly pale, his eye
brows were contracted in fear, and
his lips pressed into a tight line ol
mute warning for her to be silent, as
his head shook ever so little - just
uggestively-from side to side.
: Very well, Mr.. Rodgers, but We
should have known this before. You
/ will wire Immediately to my sister
please"
: He bowed, walked toward the door
they following. Scott bent low ant
whispered into Anita's ear, 1--WE mus
keep quiet, Ann-for your sake"
She smiled up at him radiantly
: and catching hold of his arm pressed
it impulsively, a token of her appre
citation for his infinite consideration.
v.
The next morning Ann received ;
telegram from her sister Bess in thu
East. Ordered to take rest in noun
: tains. Too much study. Will be home
} in a day"
, Bess arrived late that night, anC
: her appearance, poor as it was, i'm
: mediately banished her sisters appre
hension. .ts