The Elbert County tribune., 1916-05-26

he saw In my own do not know. but
after a while he ceased to watch mo
and again began reading his title
deeds
was thinking SO 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 you
tell me?"
Tell you-l" muttered absently
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 worr that turns. Mr..
| Spratt turned himself about in his
chair.
Speaking of the school year." he
said. "are you aware, Miss Anne. THAI
| under law you fe-feit your contribu-
tions to the teachers pension fund?''
Dear me, how Dreadful" answered
sarcastically. +It is such serious
matter"
1T Is serious" answered Mr.. Spratt.
| hugging himself. mot by reason of the
| amount involved. but because 1t 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
you have doubtless read in the copy Of
my work which presented to you"
Dear me. Mr.. Spratt, will you be
very offended II mention that didn't
quite finish it?" inquired.
THAT admirable compilation. the
Code Napoleon" he resumed. distinct
ly lays down the principle that the be-
| trothai of a minor annuls all pecuniary
contracts that have not been actually
put into execution. Consequently un-
der the code your pension fund would
be returnable."
But l am not minor" interrupt
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, 1t 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 I amazed Mr.. Spratt by springing
to his side and clasping both his hands
in mine.
Say that again: didn't catch It,"
painted. Under the Code Napoleon
am minor for financial purposes and
the-the betrothal-"
all contracts of a pecuniary nature.
that have not actually been carried
into effect" reiterated Mr.. Spratt.
Therefore"
my dearest Anne, what are you
driving at?" asked Charles.
l 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.
q 1T has been carried into effect" he
almost screamed. You can have tho
money at once-before six o'clock.
| don't mind renewing the mortgage
was-meant to all along. I-I-I-"
my bonds. please."'I repeated quiet
ly.
"I'll 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
afford to play trick like that on me-"
my bonds. Mr.. Magnin." reiterated
implacably.
Charles came up and placed his arm
round me- He understood
mo. let him keep the bonds. Anne.-
he said. Hes 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 a thrust of sword. pushed
some paper toward him and. dipping a
quill into the ink. placed it In his
hands.
Write" | said. debating For value
received, namely bonds U 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 l 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 TO the occasion.
Magniff signed his name and Estelle
and Charles affixed their signatures az
! witnesses.
Now go, Mr.. Magnifr." said.
pointing to the door. And. II you can
profit by 1t. take with you that for