The Washington times., 1918-06-30

a disconSolate partner. Jacobs was cOnsid-
erably older than Resnek and, having suf-
fered from a complication of sixteen or
seventeen different ailments for many
years, had confidently expected that his
younger partner would outlive him. When
it comes to the shuffling-off point, however,
a mans hopes and expectations do not ap-
pear to carry much weight; all that phil
osophy can advise under the circumstances
is to make a will, remain as cheerful as
possible and leave all the rest to destiny.
ResneE'S last IOW and testament ICdS the
beginning Of his daughters KRhGppinesS.
There is something sardonic in the idea of
a man calmly planning events of life that
he expects will transpire after he has
passed away and can no longer listen to
blame or argument. Many a man, l sup
pose has gone to his grave grinning at the
thought of the last will and testament that
he left behind him. 1t is pity that some
of them cannot remain little longer and
share portion of the trouble they create.
Resnek's will was very simple. He be-
queathed everything that he possessed to
that he imposed was that she should marry
Harry Jacobs, his partners grandson,
within a year after his death. 81 make
this condition" he wrote, ''in order to keep
up the interest of both families in the firm.
In case my said daughter aforesaid does
not marry the said Harry Jacobs aforesaid
within a year after my death, the sad
Harry Jacobs shall become my heir in her
place and receive all that possess"
Inasmuch as her father had never sug-
.gested that she marry his partners grand
son during his life and as she had never
thought of it herself, the reading of the
will left the said Leah aforesaid in a state
of CONSERVATION. She had known Harry
Jacobs for many years. He was good
looking, intelligent clean-cut and, in every
outward aspect, as desirable a young man
as any girl could have wished. But Leah
was romantic and, like most young girls,
had INDUCED in much signing for some
wonderfully handsome man whom her
imagination had pictured and who, she ex-
pected, would come wandering along some
day-probably with a guitar-and make
love to her by the light of the moon. Harry
had not only never made love to her, but
had frequently pooh-poohed her visionary
ideas of love and marriage. Whenever she
had asked him why he did not fall in love
with any Of the nice girls that he knew he
had only laughed.
when l make up my mind to get mar
ried," he had often said, "I'l pick out the
incest girl I know and marry her. That
love business is all foolishness."
From which you must not infer that
Harry was entirely materialistic or in any
way sordid; he had merely not .veloped
He had an easy way of laug' ng and of
taking things for granted that had always
annoyed Leah. 1t was caused, probably,
by his having been INDUCED and almost
pampered by his grandfather ever since
he began to work for the firm of Resnek
& Jacobs. No. Harry wasn't bad sort of
a chap; it merely happened that he was
the one individual whom Leah would never
have selected for husband
Now came this disastrous will and, even
before Leah had recovered from her con-
sternation, along came Harry.
well. Leah" he said, 81 suppose now
we'll have to get married"
Leah's whole nature rose in rebellion.
She sprang from the chair in which she
was sitting and, with flashing eyes, ex-
claimed:
How dare you insult me: Isn't it enough
that my father left me an insult 10 inherit?
Go away"
Harry gazed at her in amaz"ment.
Why, Leah what is the natter he
asked What have ! d"ne:"
60 away! Don't speak to me-" cried the
girl And when. moment later. she burst
into tears Harry. having some instincts of
wisdom went away This. you sec was the
mess that Resnek's will brought about.
Leah went to her fathers lawyer and
asked if there WAS not. perhaps, some loop
hole by means of which she might avoid
compliance with this awful condition of the
will. The lawyer shook his head.
Il drew it up myself" he said. There is
no way out of it
But how could you do such terrible
thing?" asked the girl.
Your father was v"ry anxious to keep up
the firm. and he was sure Harry Jacobs
would marry you" was the lawyers reply.
Leah had been brought up to abhor pro-
family but | would be willing to wager that
her thoughts upon the subject of keeping up
the firm Of Resnek & Jacobs would have
shocked the inmates Of any cOister in the
land. She sought Mr.. Jacobs.
''Do have tC lose everything If ! don't
marry Harry she asked