The Lamar register., 1920-02-11
HER AUNT'S WILL
By JACK LAWToN.
tcopyrisAt. 1919. western Newspaper Union

tcopyrisht. 1913. Western Newspaper Unioni
Aunt Trimble leaned back in her
chair and regarded her niece wrath
fully.
IF you persist In your intention to
marry this nobody" she said. II will
cut you out Of my will and leave the
money to charity. Was II to marry a
poor clerk that I gave you education
and accomplishments OF the best"
Harry is not a nobody" Rhoda in
dignantly retorted. "he is a good man,
and true And he will not always be
clerk His chosen business is one
which promises steady advancement
But II II didn't" the girl added vehe
mentiy. I'D marry him Just the same"
"No 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
lie. he would never accept the sacrifice
vou are making"
"Sacrifce cried the girl. the blue
eyes cleaning. "De you compare love
for him with an old house no mater
how grand and Imposing, Why, I'D
he happier In two rooms with my Har-
ry. than mistress of all this estnte.'
.You shall have your wish then. un
grateful girl" the Annf said bitterly:
impulslvely she tapped Il bell st her
side.
Get Mr.. TimmonS, my lawyer on
the phone" she comma nded the maid
who answered. Tell him my business
a.
change my will"
A mans figure came quickly through
the hall.
II could not help hearing" said a
grave voice. ''what has just been said.
Your voices carried. as | came up.
The young man turned.a white face
upon the girl, his eyes were tragic.
"And Rhods.' lie went On. your aunt
IL right about my selfishness In allow
ing you to make this sacrifice. /
can't take you this way dear; I'm hut
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 walt Rhoda.
until see my way perhaps to better
things; | exact no promise; you shall
lie free to choose. but"
The old lady leaned forward. rus
tling In her silks.
"You hear your lover" she said
sharply. Even he nt last realizes the
barrier between. You can give him
your promise OF waiting. without being
actually bound. Then. when Mr.. Tim
mons arrives. | shall say that his pres
ence Is not needed. Ny will shall re-
main as II is. with YOU as sole legatee."
With burning cheeks the girl stood
regarding them hoth-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, lie was met by the discouraging
announcement that l,hoda had secret
ly 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"
Tha aunt Looked yhlts and worn