The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1922-09-14

just the basis for a nice business ar
raagement. I adopted him as IA grand
father some time back. We will have
the papers drawn pretty soon. That
won't be like the other way round. If
he adopted me l might inherit a tidy
fight for his fortune. In default of
blood heirs it goes to colleges and
things. He won't have chance o.
ever coming into Windmead. | shall
make Il new will as soon as we settle
things. Besides. you know, real estate
never goes back"
81 wonder what standing a wife
would have?' Miss Dean said pensive-
ly. About the same as a SNOWFALL at
the equator" Sarah said reckieSsly.
But why speculate idly? | won't
marry the captain, and he surely won't
marry anybody else"
About that we shall see" Miss
Dean said, but inaudibly to her inner
consciousness. On the surface she
swan away wrapped in silent medita-
ton.
Then tricksy Fate took to raw
dOuble-dealing all round. She laid the
captain by the heels with lumbago
and sent Sarah to serve as maid of
honor at a wedding a hundred miles
away.
Sarah meant faithfully to write
every day at least to her old dear. She
hated writing, but did really keep faith
the first day. After that she was so
held and hindered anything but pos
tails was impossible Long distance
was small help. Captain could not
get to the phone; besides, getting con-
nectiOn was work of so much time
and bother it seemed not worth while.
Thus Fate unfairly cleared the way
for Miss Dean, a gifted letter writer
as ever put words on paper. She went
daily with Molly to ask after the cap
tain, but could by no means be per-
suaded to set foot in his house. In
stead she sent in letters-her very
best brand. Fairly written, full of
sympathy, but not maudlin, touched
lightly with humor and breathing
throughout subtly her desire to help
in making the world and the race
better. This not at first-not until
the captain, who found diversion in
answering cOurteously her sendings,
himself invited light upon her plan.
After that the deluge. She was far too
adrOit for outright solicitation, but
her suggestions were double-shotted
and went home straight The captain
sent for his trustees. In their absence
came a bright young fellow, Truman
by name and nature. By the time he
had read the third Dean letter he
sensed what impended and went over
to the opposition.
The opposition was, be it known,
Sarah Linton. Truman meant to marry
her as soon as he got firm foothold.
Windmead, he knew, must be left out
of the calculation, Brother Jim would
never make a living elsewhere and
Sarah could not possibly turn him out.
But he kept all that in the back of his
mind, while the captain, kind soul,
unfolded his great scheme. 1t was to
compound his income for the five years
he might still reasonably expect to
live and give all but the barest pit
lance to the nOblest of philanthropies
that which teaches humanity to live
its best"
Such arrangements took time, said
Truman. The captain agreed. He also
agreed to say nothing to anybody
until further developments. As a re-
suit Truman invited himself to the
far-otf wedding. Luckily, he had been
at college with the bridegroom. And
he must have carried water of persua-
sion along, for when he came back
a week later he brought wife, whom
he called saucily, Sally Of the Valley.
Straight to Captain Johnson he took
her, bursting in upon the cOnvalescent
with, "Cap'n, here's the answer: She'll
teach humanity to live its best. In
proof, she is adopting you legally.
We're going to live with you if you
let us, and save you from the pious
Philistines."
The captain chuckled. "Just in
time" he said, Miss Dean proposed
this morning for the good of the cause.
Now she can't marry me without the
consent of my mother"