Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-06-03

across quickly with out
stretched hand.
Hello, Hawkes." replied Jerry, too
preoccupled to return the act Of salu.
tatlon. Instead he nodded in the d.
rection Peg had gone and questioned:
what does she mean-going in a
few minutes?"
"She is returning to America. Our
term of guardianship is over. She alb
solutely refuses to stay here any long
er. My duties in regard to her, out
side of the annual payment provided
by her late uncle, end today" replied
the lawyer.
II think not, Hawkes."
II beg your pardon?"
"As the chief executor of the late
MI K~ingsnorth's will 1 must be salts
fed that its conditions are complied
with in the spirit as well as to the
letter." said Jerry authoritatively.
"Mr. Kingsnorth expressly stipulat-
ed that a year was to elapse before
any definite conclusion was arrived at.
So far only a month has passed."
"But she insists on returning to her
father" protested Mr.. Hawkes..
"Have you told her the conditions Of
the will?"
Certainly not Mr.. Kingsnorth dis
tinctly stated she was not to know
them"
Except under exceptional circum-
stances. I consider the circumstances
most exceptional"
II am afraid I cannot agree with
you, Sir Gerald"
'That is a pity. But it doesn't alter
my Intention"
"And may I ask what that inten-
ton ISL"
"To carry out the spirit of MI.
Kingsnorth's bequest-"
And what do you consider the spir-
it?"
II think we will best carry out Mr..
K%ingsnorth's last wishes by making
known the conditions Of his bequest to
Miss O'Connell and then let her decide
whether she wishes to abide by them
or not"
Mrs. Chichester came into the room
and went straight to Jerry. At the
same time Alaric burst in through the
garden and greeted Jerry and Hawkes..
II heard you were here began
Mrs. Chichester.
Jerry interrupted her anxiously.
Mrs. Chichester. | was entirely to
blame for last nights unfortunate
business. Don't visit your displeasure
on the poor little child. Please DON'T"
Jarvis came down the stairs with a
panied, not to say mortified. expression
on his face. Underneath his left arm
he held tightly a shabby little bag and
a freshly wrapped up parcel. In his
right hand. held far away from his
body. was the melancholy and pic
turesque terrier, Michael.
Mrs. Chichester looked at him in hOr-
rOr.
where are you going with those
things?" she gasped.
"To put them in a cab, madam" an
swered the Inundated footman. Your
niece's ORDERS"
Put those articles in a travelling
bag. Use one of my daughters" or
dered the old lady.
"Your niece objects. madam. She
sez she'll take nothing away she didn't
bring with her"
The grief stricken woman turned
away as Jarvis passed out Alaric
tried to comfort her. But the strain
of the morning had beer too great
He looked cheerfully at Jerry and
smiled as he said:
81 even offered to marry her if she'd
stay. Couldn't do more than that,
could n"
Jerry returned Alaric's smile as he
asked:
"You offered to marry herr"
Alaric nodded.
poor little wretch!'
Down the stairs came Peg and Ethel.
Mrs. Chichester looked at Peg through
misty eyes and said %reproachfnlly:
"Why that old black dress: Why not
one of the dresses l gave you?"
'"This is the way l left me father. an
"Mr. Hawkes.! Ohio! Indadey" She
turned back to Jerry. did he know
duouL lue i've LuOuSduu! Wueu LII
rtwenty-one?"
HE drew the will at Mr.. Kings
north's dictation." replied Jerry.
WAS that why We wanted me to be
engaged to We until l was twenty-oneY"
she asked the unhappy lawyer.
Come, come, Miss O'Connell," said
Hawkes.. What nonsense?"
ibid you propose to Miss Margaret"
,Queried Jerry.
WELL" hesitated the embarrassed
lawyer-"in a measure-yes."
THAT'S what it was" cried Peg. with
a laugh. ut was very measured. No
wonder the men were crazy to kape
me here an to marry me-"