Okolona messenger., 1921-02-17
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5 AUNT TlRZAH 8
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o. l9so, Western Newspaper Union,


u don't understand you, julie" she
said, you never have been like this
eefore. If l were one of those un.
reasonable old women who just will
have their way, your objection would
be different. But am not your good
has always been my aim, and when l
ask you to accept Bob Burgess as fu.
ture husband, it is because having
known the lad all his life, I consider
nm the one most likely to make you
happy. NE that Bob is pressing
ahead so fast in his new profession
and In love with you,' can't see-I
really can't-why you should be so OBJ
stinately against him"
II am not against him, Aunt Tirzah,"
the girl answered YEARLY 'I don't
love Bob, that's ala good reason
why should not wish to marry him"
The old lady's black eyes snapped.
bob was well enough" she retOrt-
ed, until that young lawyer came upon
the scene. Your Mr.. Paul Webster
may be all right, but his prosperity at
least Is not evident"
"Mr. Webster has his way to make"
Julie quietly replied. "I think Aunt
Tirzah, that you would like him IL
you knew him better. T."
A little smile came about her lips. II
like him better all the time"
80 it seems" her Aunt dryly re-
sponded. "But your liking. like other
girls liking, my dear, is largely fancy.
and admiration for the unknown.
Doctor Bob has become an oid story
to you,. and you are ready for n new.
However" sternness touched the old
lady's sharp features, ''the dreams Of
a lifetime cannot be SO fancifuily
turned aside. Bob Burgess and you
were made for each other, the, plan Of
your union was discussed when you
were both In the cradle Ny dear,
my very Wal hasabeen made just: that
way-leaving all to you with the un-
dersthndingithat Bob's place In surgery
may be found, and that you and ne
may continue en- in this old Vance
place together"
Julie arOseNabruptly; tears were in
her soft eyes.
'"That cannot be- Aunt" she said
hurriedly. Il am sorry"
paul Webster has. dared talk love
to you?" the old lady angrily asked.
Both Bob and Paul." the girl re-
piled, 'have asked to marry me-"
"And your, the. question was,
breathless. !;
81 asked Paul to give me time to
think" Julie said, "and l told Bob
no; but he would not take no for my
answer n . e. :!
The invalid sank back with a sigh
Of relief. Wise Bob" she said "now
listen, my girl, Bob. as my physician,
realizes that my heart is near the
end Of its labor. He has been atten-
tive-kind. In the event that you do
not reconsider his request, all that
have will 20 to him. l repeat, it is
your future alone that interests me-"
Aunt TirZah rang for her maid "Send |
for Doctor Burgess" she directed.
The young physician was soon at her
side.
"The end is not yet Bob" she said.
However, will tell you what have
planned to do. In case Julia marries
you, I leave my fortune to her; in case
she does not-entirely to you"
The young mans face paled, then
he smiled confidently.
"Julie will not go against your wlsh,"
he said at last.
"But If she shouldT
Il will then devote the money to the
purpose you DESIRE" he replied.
That evening Aunt Tirzah sent for
Paul Webster to draw up her WILL 1t
was not until after the funeral service
that the contents of the will were ex-
actly known. Aunt Tirzah had re-
luired no promise of secrecy from Bob
Burgess regarding their conversation
the will, and he had con.
1ded its import to Julie. The girl,
faithful and loving to her aunt until
he last, gave no sign Of her own in
ention in the matter Now, ,as they
'at about the mahogany table in the IL
'rary Of Aunt Tirzah's father, the
girls sad-eyed Indifference left the
'bservant ones still in doubt. Paul
Webster, seated beside his senior part
Ter, bent upon her constantly the com
'assion of his gaze. When the docu-
nent had been read all sat staring in
stOnishment at each other, for Adnt
'irzah left the bulk Of her great es-
ates unreservedly to her beloved
ieee, Julie Dale Vance"
Still bewlldered from the shock, Bob
Burgess sprang to his feet. "There
hould be clause" he said confused
7, ito the effect that under such cir
umstances Julie was to wed me-"
Slowly Paul Webster arose.
1.-TWO weeks before Tlrzah Vance
ied," he said. +she sent for me to
raw up viii. In II. her niece, Miss
ulie Vance, was to become sole bene-
ciary upon the condition that she ac-
spt the proposal OF marriage which /
nd recently made her. could be no
arty to the possibility Of an arrange
lent which might leave her niece