The St. Charles herald., 1922-09-30

my ward. Miss Lander. informs me
that you won't marry her because she
is rich"
"Oh, no, not that, exactly, sir"
stammered John. ''But we both thought
that If our fortunes were more equal
we could be married now and not have
to wait until I had accumulated suf-
fcient money to enable me to-in
short, sir. that we ought to be more
nearly equal as to means, and she very
unselflshly promised to arrange mat
ters. You must admit yourself, sir.
that It doesn't look Just right for q
poor man to marry a rich girl-now.
does itr'
whats your present salary?"
"Three thousand year"
"Humph!l When I was married. I
was only getting one thousand"
"But perhaps, sir, you did not marry
an heiress."
"No. I did not. My poor Bessie and
I rose in the world together"
There, sir, that's just what Char
lotte and I want to dol" exclaimed
John. "You see, am going down to
examine some mines In Mexico and
have been promised a share In them.
If they turn out all right it will make
a rich man Of me. I am to get an
increase Of salary, too. Charlotte and
I thought we would like to be married
before / 60 South-h the money part
can be arranged-and you have no OBJ
jections to me-"
II am glad you have come to that at
last" replied Norton. 1T Is rather the
custom, you know, before marrying a
young lady to speak to her parent or
guardian. How much salary do you
expect while In Mexico"
ask thousand, sir; just double
what 1 am getting now"
"Humi Well. young man. I am
sorry, but I don't see my way clear to
let my ward divest herself Of her for
tune just to crafty whim. Good
day."
John went out in despair; he flew
to Charlotte and they were both In
despair.
I'VE must wait. that's ALL" they
said. But at the end Of week John
came to Charlotte hlled with des.
perate resolve.
charlotte" said he, never mind II
you are rich. Hang the money! Let's
get married right Off"
"Ho! Mr.. Fortune Hunter" cried
Charlotte, gayly. $50 that is your
game, is it, Well, Just look here"
And she showed him a letter from
her guardian which read:
| "Dear Charlotte have to inforn
you that the income from your estate
for which 1 shall account to you until
| further notice will be $4,000 year In
stead Of sEOO0 as heretofore. Youl
money is invested In securities, and
you know that stocks sometimes lose
| their value P. /. & G. has gone down
to nothing-is practically valueless.'
Then they danced q merry saraband-
with Johns increase Of salary their
incomes would be equal. They were
| married within the week. Three years
passed. John Fenton was rich man
now and able to spend most of his time
with Charlotte In New York. Lawyer
| Norton summoned Mr.. and Mrs. Fen
ton to his office. II am getting old.
he said. SIT is time gave an account
| Of my stewardship. Here. Charlotte
are the accounts-your original for
tune and the $1,000 a year have
been holding back out of your income
| I reckon John is rich enough now tt
match you"
"Bxt, guardian, you said"
II said your money was In securf
| ties, and that securities sometimes lost
| their earning power. So they do.
didn't say that yours had. said that
P. 1. & G. was down to nothing. 81
1t was. didn't say your money was
| in 1t. Now did I? There, there. Name
the next boy after me and settle or
| him the money / have been holding
out on you. I'll add enough more SC
that If he wants to marry an heiress
| her guardian won't be forced into con