The Topeka state journal., 1922-08-08
EUening Story
Concealed Accounts.
BY ii. IRVING KING.

~ any way CdAI
get rid of my money!" The speaker
was Charlotte Lander. twenty-five
years old, considered very good look
ing by everybody and the most beauti-
full creature on earth by John Fenton.
The place a lawyers office and the
person addressed was Lawyer Norton.
| City. New York.
Lawyer Norton looked at his ques-
toner in blank astonishment. He was
a heavy, persy man with a bald head
and side whiskers. His face was
stern, but in it there shone pair or
kindly eyes.
what in the world put such an
idea as that into your head? ?" cried
he.
mo. but I can? I mean it."
"why, I should say. offhand, there
were many ways in which you could
get rid of your money-if I would
let you. You might throw it off the
preferred that place; or you might
hand it over to the United Charities"
The very thing"
''What?"
Now look here, Charlotte said
Mr.. Norton sharply, will you stop
this sort of talk and tell me just what
it is that you are driving at?'
Charlotte blushed, started to cry
and thought better of it; looked
sheepish, began to play with a pencil
on the table before her and. at Nor
toms abrupt, Come, out with it, said
in a wheedling, tone:
We'll. guardie. dear, if I don't get
rid of my money I can't be married.
There! Now you will let me, won't
you %
my dear Charlotte" replied Nor
ton, this is positively childish; be-
sides being incomprehensible. Since
when, pray, was a young Womans
fortune an obstacle to her getting
a husband? Explain yourself-if you
can."
roundabout verbiage and hesitation
and depression, did explain. She was
in love with John Fenton and he was
in love with her, but John was poor
and had scruples about marrying
rich girl. Therefore Charlotte pro-
posed to diveSt herself of her wealth.
Its only my hateful money that
stands between US and-happiness,"
she explained. And I thought it
"Hum!" said the lawyer. Hum!
And what is this remarkable young
mans occupation and address 2"
Charlotte gave the required address
and stated that John was mining
NOW look here, Charlotte" said
Norton, 81 think you are both as mad
as March hares. But having dandled
you on my knee as baby and been
your guardian ever since the death of
your parents, I will talk with the
young idiot of the second part and see
what can be done" Charlotte gave
the old lawyer a resounding kiss on
his bald forehead and tripped away
full of hope. Her guardian never had
denied her anything, and she was
constantly resorting to him in her per
plexities. Her Aunt Matilda, with
whom she lived in an old brownstone
house in a side street below Madison
square. was a dear old soul, but per-
feetly spineless-a nebulous old maid
whom Charlotte simply bewildered.
Lawyer Norton wrote a note to John
Fenton requesting him to call at his
office at a certain hour next day.
John knew that Norton was Char
lotte's guardian and foresaw what the
interview would be about.
So when Fenton appeared at the
appointed time at Lawyer Norton's
office he was anything but at his ease.
His scruples with regard to Charlotte's
wealth rather pleased the old lawyer,
who had been somewhat anxious lest
some beguiling wooer who had one
eye on the fortune and the other on
the girl should capture his wards
fancy.
well, young man." said Norton.
my ward, Miss Lander, informs me
that you won't marry her because she
is rich.''
ooh, no. not that. exactly. SIR"
John. But we both
equal we could be married now and
not have to wait until 1 had accumu-
lated sufficient money to enable me to
in short, sir, that we ought to be
more nearly equal as to means and
she very unselfishly promised to ar
range matters. You must admit your
self, sir, that it doesn't look just right
for poor man to marry rich girl
now, does IT,"
Whats your present salary?"
Three thousand q year.
"Humph. When 1 was married I
was only getting one thousand"
But perhaps, sir, you did not
marry an heiress."
NO, 1 did not. Ny poor Bessie and
I rose in the world together"
There, sir. that's Just what Char
lotte and 1 want to do" exclaimed
John. You see, 1 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 ricn man of me. 1 am to get an
increase of salary, too. Charlotte and !
before I go south-if the money part
can be arranged-and you have no
objections to me-
''I am glad you have come to that |
at last" replied Norton. It's rather |
the custom, you know, before marry
ing a young lady, to speak to her par /,
ent or guardian. How much salary /
do you expect while in Mexico?"
six thousand, sir; just double |
what 1 am getting now.' |
Hum! Well. young man. am |
sorry, but 1 don't see my way clear to |
let my ward divest herself of her for
tune. just to crafty a 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 a week John |
came to Charlotte, filled with a dSs- |
perate resolve.
Charlotte" said he, never mind If |
you are rich. Hang the money! Let's |
get married right off"
Hoi Mr. Fortune Hunter cried |