The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-02-11

read hate and hostility In his. vh..
he saw In my own do not know h,,
after q while he ceased to watch NJ.
and again began reading his utls
deeds.
was thinking 30 busily that I hard.
ly heard the conversation that was IA.
king place until suddenly Mary snrsna
out Of her chair and came over to me
her eyes beaming.
Anne" she cried. why didn't Won
tell met"
"Ten you-r" I muttered abseutlv
THAT you were engaged" said Mary
looking hurt and reproachful. 20 I'm
so glad and proud of you, Anne, Ana
will you both promise faithfully n
come to Canada when the next school
year ends?"
Then, like . worm that turns ~,
spratt turned himself about I'M "a
chair.
Speaking Of the school year.. y.
said. ARE you aware. Miss Anne, tina,
under law you fs=feit your contribu.
lions to the teachers' pension fund.-
Dear me, how Dreadful" answered
sarcastically. TT il such a serious
matter"
1T IL serious," answered Mr.. Sprat,
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-Sa1on
race-it penalixes marriage Now in
France they manage things different.
ly. The admirable Code Napoleon, as
ho~, 49,, l.
my work which presented to you"
Dear me, Mr.. Spratt, will you DO
very offended If mention that l didn't
quite finish it," 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 un-
der the code your pension fund would
be returnable."
But l am not a minor" interrupt
ed.
THE age of majority. under the
Code Napoleon, 10 not necessarily
twenty-one, Miss Anne" said Mr..
Spratt in grave rebuke. For certain
purposes, as this, It IL 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; I didn't catch It,"
In coda 7
am a minor for financial purposes and
the-the betrothal-"
The betrothal Of q minor annuls
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 att" asked Charles.
walked over to Mr.. Magniff.
"My bonds" said, and flung down
his receipt before him.
He rose up. totterfng. and grasped
the edge Of the table. -
1T has been carried into effect" he
almost screamed. you can have the
money at once-before six O'Clock. I
don't mind renewing the MORTGAGE
was-meant to all along. 1855"
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 q legal trick
like that? You're people Of honor.
That's all very we'll for tricky trades
men, but not for the DIVES. You can't
afford to play trick like that on me. -
my bonds. Mr.. Magniff." reiterated
implacably.
Charles came up and placed his arm
round me. He understood.
mo. let him keep the bonds, Anne. I"
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?" I continued turning to
Magnih.
He groaned as though my words had
been a thrust of a sword. l pushed
some paper toward him and, dipping .
quill into the ink, placed 1t in his
hands.
WRITE" said. debating. For value
received. namely bonds Il 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 an
witnesses. . ..~ ,..- .,
Now go, Mr. Magnif." said,
pointing to the door. And. II you can
profit by it, take with you that for
giveness which you yourself denied.