The Dolores star., 1920-03-12
Her AUNT'S WILL
BY JACK lAWToN.

~" ''I"'''h heT niece wrath
fully.
lf you persist in your intention to
marry this nobody" she said 81 win
cut you out Of my will and leave the
money to charity. Was IL to marry -
poor clerk that gave YOU cducn,iou
an" accomplishments Of the best? 2"
Harry is not nobody" Rhoda in,
hignantly retorted, "he is n good uan
and true. And he will not always he
clerk. His chosen business is one
which promises steady advancement,
But If II didn't" the girl added vchc
mently. I'D marry him just the same"
No doubt" muiiered Aunt Trimhlc
scornfully. this Harry has not used
ms dark romantic eyes in vain. Bur
II lie were the man YOU think him to
h", he would never accept the sacrifice
you are making"
Sacrifice" cried the girl. tile blue
eyes cleaning. "Do You compare love
for him with an old house no mater
how grand and imposing? Why. Ia
be happier In two roomS with my llar.
- ''i'''' h''NlI'"N VI Hll lIllS fNII'f.
'fou shall have your wish then. un-
grateful girl the Aunt said bitterly:
impulSivcly she tapped a bell al her
side.
Get Mr. TmmonS. my lawyer on
The phone" she commanded the maid
VII" answered. "'reil him my business
is Immediately important. | wish to
change my viii"
A mans figure came quickly through
the hall.
II could not help hearing" said
grave voice. "what has Just been said.
Your voices carried aS | came up"
The young man turned white face
npon the girl. his eyes were tragic.
And Rhodn." he Went on. your aunt
Is right about my selhshneSS IN allow
ing yuu to make this sacrifice /
can't take YOU this way dear; I'm but
poor clerk after nll. and have not
the courage TO face those two rooms
Of which you spoke. for your home.
After al! the luxury of your bringing
lp, in your heart, you would soon re-
prnach me. But, neither can | give
you up dear. Won't you wait Rhoda.
until see INV way perhaps to better
things? | exact no promise; you shall
he free TO choose, but"
The old lady leaned forward, rus
tling in her silks.
you hear your lover" she said
sharply. Even he at last realizes the
1 ,.t. ,ri,r L.
your promise of waiting, without being
actually bound. Then, when MI. Tim
mons arrives, shall say that his pres
ence is not needed. My will shall re-
main as it 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 If
you will. l have no wish to wait for
a more successful suitOr-for that l
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 discouraging
announcement that Rhoda had secret
ly departed from her aunts dwelling
the night before, leaving only BRIEF
message to the effect that she had gone
away to learn 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 or
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. Ihe
messages told them merely that she
was well and self-supporting. The
last brought Il slight clue, which Harry
followed Immediately to success.
Rboda 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
,.sye his love, thereafter, until ne
brought her home with him as his WIRE
He had telegraphed Aunt TrimDle
ss soon as Rhoda had been found
Later he sent word Of their mar
rage; but when the two ascended IN
.ome trepidation the steps OF the
stately old mansion, Mr.. Timmons' the
tbe lawyer, met them at the door.
"Your Aunt Trimble went happily
:, .leen last night" he told them. ut