Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-01-07
HER AUNT'S WILL
BY JACK LAYTON.
copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Tn

,,4opyrixht. 1919. western Newspaper Un,on,
Aunt Trimble leaned back In her
chair and regarded her niece wrath
July.
IF you persist in your intention to
marry this nobody" she said. Il will
ut you out of my will and leave the
money to charity. Was it to marry
Door clerk that gave you education
and accomplishments of the best?"
Harry is not nobody" Rhoda In
iignantly retOrted. 'he is good man,
md true. And he will not always be
l clerk. His chosen business is one
which promises steady advancement.
But II 1t didn't" the girl added vehe-
nent1y. I'D marry him just the same
mo doubt" muttered Aunt Trimble
scornfully, ''this Harry has not used
his dark romantic eyes In vain. But
II he were the man you think him TO
be, he would never accept the sacrifice
you are making"
"Sacrifice!'' cried the girl. the blue
eyes cleaning. do you compare love
for him with an old house no mater
how grand and imposing7 Why, I'd
be happier In two rooms with my Har-
~. than mistress Of all this estate"
.You shall have your wish then, un-
grateful girl" the Aunt said bitterly:
impulsively she tapped bell ut her
side.
Get Mr.. Tlmmons, my lawyer on
the phone" she commanded the maid
who answered. Tell him my business
u Immediately important. ! wish to
change my WILL"
A mans figure came quickly through
the hall.
II could not help hearing" said q,
grave voice, "what has just been said.
Your voices carried, as came up
The young man turned white face
upon the girl. his eyes were tragic.
".And RhOda." he went on, your aunt
Is right about my selfishness In allow
Ing you to make this sacrifice. II
can't take you this way dear; I'm but
q poor clerk after all. and have not
the courage to face those. two rooms
Of which you spoke, for your home.
After all the luxury Of your bringing
up. In your heart. you would soon re-
proach me. But, neither can give
you up dear. Won't you wait Rhoda.
until l see my way perhaps to better
thingsf exact no promise; you shall
be free to choose. but
The old lady leaned forward, rus
thing in her silks.
.sYou hear your lover" she said
sharply. Even he at last realizes the
barrier between. You can give him
your promise Of waiting. without being
actually bound. Then, when Mr.. TIM
mons arrives, l shall say that his pres
ence is not needed. My will shall re-
main as 1t is, with you as sole legatee."
With burning cheeks the girl stood
regarding them both--the trembling
old aunt, the sorrowful lover.
"You may do as you wish with your
will, Aunt Trimble." she said quietly.
"And you. Harry. may renounce me il
you will. ! have no wish to wait for
a more successful suitor-for that I
suppose is what the waiting amounts
to-" She left the room before either
could reply.
The man bowed to the old woman
in her chair and went sadly down the
hall and out into the street. When
he endeavored upon the following
morning to see his sweetheart. and to
make further plea for her own inter-
ests, he was met by the dlscouraging
announcement that Rhoda had secret
IN departed from her aunt's dwelling
the night before, leaving only brief
message to the effect that she had gone
away to "earn her living
The aunt looked white and worn
when Harry Amsden sought her out.
'Rhoda has left us completely In
the dark as to her whereabouts she
said YEARLY. "but, she will come
back"
Rhoda did not come back. Harry's
own search for her was unavailing.
The girl had apparently been lost
among the many brave workers of
whose lives she had heretofore known
nothing.
Hopelessly, from time to time, the
lover sought the stern old woman, An
occasional communication came from
Rhoda at various places. She was ev-
identity using chance friends to mail
her letters from different points. The
told them merely that she
was well and self-supporting The
last brought a slight clue. which Harry
followed Immediately to success.
Rhoda greeted him wan and joyous
eyed, from behind the head Of GUS
toner upon whom she had been try
ing various hats. But Harry did not
leave his love, thereafter until he
brought her home with him as his wife.
He had telegraphed Aunt Trimble
as soon as Rhoda had been found.
Later he sent word Of their mar
riage; but when the two assembled in
some trepidation the steps of the
stately old mansion, Mr.. Timmons. the
the lawyer. met them at the door.
"Your Aunt Trimble went happily
to sleep last night" he told them. ut
is sleep from which she will never
awaken" And then Rhoda and her
husband sat, still solemn in their WON
der, in the old library. Mr.. Timmons
came to them.
Your aunt wished me to tell You
without ceremony" he said solemnly.
aof the changes in her will. She wanted