Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-11-06

debt. Mrs. Althea Burrows widow,
same reason. The coincidente' SINH
larity as to motive ana environment
went still further Both were regard
ed as above the average as to wealth
or the prospect of it. third circum-
stance in this chain of sequence was
the fact that Judge Award Marsh, who
had been Mrs. Burrows attorney for
ten years, became likewise the legal
adviser of Mr.. Wolcott.
Now neither of the two named made
any pretense TO the merest Craze with
opulence Neither was over thirty,
and both were healthy, accreditable and
good looking. Common rumor had it,
however, that the fair widow had In
herited a gold mine out West that
might at any time open its vast store
Of wealth. When Mr. Wolcott came
10 Clyde there followed him the report
that when certain lawsuit he had
been fighting for five years was de
cided, he would become the recipient
Oh TONUl IoElulc.
The facts were really these The
alleged mine had never produced so
much as an ounce of the precious
metal, and Mrs. Burrows had leased
the fifty acres involved for grazing
purposes at barely enough to meet tax
es and water right lnstallments. AS
TO the lawsuit Wolcott had expended
nearly all he had In legal fees and
had hopelessly abandoned any antici-
pations of success in winning it.
AS said, Wolcott had come to Clyde
because he was Ia debt. Not that his
Lisle creditors were manifesting any
collection pressure, for he was fa
yorite with everybody, but, finding
himself growing poorer ana poorer, he
resolved TO get down to real work.
He was a specialist in cattle diseases,
and Clyde was the center Of large
rich farming district
1t was at the Office OF Judge Marsh
one day that Martin Wolcott met the
charming widow. The observing old
jurist's eyes twinkled as he SenSed
mutual liking established between the
two. II got TO be so that Wolcott be-
came a weekly visitor at the Burrows
home. They were vastly pleased with
each other and the prospective match
met With the approval of theirfrlends.
Mrs. Burrows had made some in
quiry regarding Mr. WolcOtt. 1t was
to receive exaggerated intelligence as
to the wonderful lawsuit that would
place him so high above her in the
way of wealth that her heart failed
her. Wolcott did the same thing. lie
became Respondent and hopeless when
he heard about the undeveloped Col
cOnda in the Rockies which would
make of Mrs. Burrows n social queen,
who would naturally disdan the at
tentiouS of poor and obscure indvid-
ual like himself.
Wolcott began to curtail his calls
upon Mrs. Burrows and the latter in
fluenced by this and realization of
the vast gulf between them, tried to
root out the love that might bring only
disappointment and sorrow. They had
not seen one another for two weeks,
when they came face TO face In the
office of Judge Marsh, Each acted as
II their relations were strained. The
Judge was not in evidence, but they
decided to wait for him. A quick ten
derness permeated the sensitive heart
Of the sympathetic widow as she no
ticed that Wolcott looked thin and
worried
you do not seem as well as when
| last saw you, Mr.. Wolcott,' she said.
"That is because ! haven't seen so
much of you" replied Wolcott
bluntly.
rs not that your own faultT' softly
intimated the blushing widow. Sure
ly you have been always welcome at
my home"
Il have met with such kindly con-
sideratlon," answered Wolcott In I'M
steady tones, that l dared not con-
tinue my visits because l foresaw that
IL could end only In Punishment"
How strangely you speak," she
fiuttered
Mrs. Burrows i am plain man."
said Wolcott seriously. "It will be no
news to you TO know that you are to
me the one woman in the world re-
Spect, admire and cherish. 1t is only
recently that / learned Of your pros
poets of fortune. A poor man. dared
not presume that you would look up
on me as your equal"
"Why, Mr. Wolcott," exclaimed Mrs.
Burrows, who ever gave you such
ridiculous idea. A poor man? 1t was
when ! learned of your coming wealth
that l felt that l could never hope
that Is"
Poor man, poor woman" interrupt
ed Judge Marsh bursting into the
room radiant, Mr. Wolcott you have
said enough to diyest the situation of
any misconception Mrs Burrows, you
are too sensible a woman to resent an
old friend Ike myself saying that
there Is no possible barrier Of inequal-
ity socially or as TO wealth, between
YOU two. sent for both of YOU 10
report that the people at the other
end Of the lawsuit are willing to COM
promise for fifty thousand dollars, and
that they have discovered gold at the