Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-03-01
A Disturbed
Decision
BY A. W. PEACH
ts!i&N;XXH;t,'

NN"pSA'bHe's
COMErlMES 1t seems as II into our
~ moments Of supreme happiness
fate dropped regret or disaster that
Immediately comes pretty near to dis
solving that happiness. SO It seemed
to Richard Marsh as he read and re-
read the letter upon his desk.
The preceding evening he had gone
to the little cottage at the end Of the
broad street where Avery Wells lived
with her pleasant-faced mother, and
there, In the homelike quiet Of the
cottage living room, he had looked In
to Avcry's dark eyes and asked the
question as bravely as he could, which
she had answered In whisper.
He had spent most of the night
dreaming In his rooms, building cas-
ties. He loved the village. and the
village people trusted him. His fu-
ture did not promise glory and gold,
but 1t did promise happiness with
Avery to share 1t with him. And now,
from beyond the grave, Brlnner had
reached with bitter ingenuity to wreck
a dream he could not share.
Marsh turned to the letter. II was
from law firm In Philadelphia. 1t
said In precise phrases that Edgar
Brlnner had died, that In his will Il
bequest of 100000 was made to Miss
Avery Wells.
He knew that as far as he was con-
cerned two things were plain; he
could not marry Avery II she accept
ed this money bequeathed to her by
his old and bitter rival; yet that sum
Of money meant for her and her moth
err independence and comfort, the re-
moval of worry, after long years Of
severe and frugal living.
One thing he was sure of II Avery
cept the Request Marsh reasoned, II
cannot ask her to give the fortune
up; and Brinner knew ! would not.
Funny, how dead man in his grave
can tungle up the living"
Under the stress OF his suffering
memories, his thinking became a bit
hnzy. but he came to decision. lie
heard the Jngllng sleighbells, the
hearty greetings as men came Into
the post office below him; faint as
they were they were clear enough Ia
make him think of the wholesome
friendly life of his village. With the
thought came his decision. friend
In n northern city had written to hin
repeatedly to Join him where opp0r
tunlty was wide and money ready
He would go, refuse to assume charge
Of the fund and shut the door quietly
but firmly In his little house OF
dreams.
A week passed He did not see
Avery, and pleaded as an excuse that
he was very busy. He was-ln the
grlevous business Of slowly sunder
Ing all ties that bound him to the
home Of his boyhood and his man
hood.
Sometimes he was doubtful OF the
wisdom Of his purpose, at fines when
his great longing for Avery broke
through the barriers his judgment had
set, al times when the dream castles
doomed so brightly on the hills that
they seemed almost real. But ever
and anon he returned once more 20
his decision.
Then came the incident that
clnched the matter. A friend had
come In his voice athrill with the
news. Dick. what do you think?
Brlnner has left Avery $l00,00Oi
What makes you start? The news?
should think It would. And, say,
Avery Is going to accept IL"
Il stopped in TO get her to sing at
the church fair, and she told me about
lt-sald she would She was happy
as lark over IT," His friends face
grew sober 81 suppose this will make
little difference with you, but not
serious"
"ScrlOus~ Marsh laughed bitterly,
his mind whIrlIng at the thought Of
her acceptance. lie had hoped In Il
dim way she would refuse the money
"SerlOus? No, except I'm going to
leave the village for good"
The realization dawnlng upon him
that he had given himself away under
the strain, he swOre his friend to 81
lencc. and he heard him pounding
down the stairs, muttering us he
went.
lie turned to his desk. Dusk came
down over the village.
He did not hear Avery until she
stood beside him.
Then she spoke, and the Office
"Dcar, Ted swore to keep his word
to you, but he came to me; said he
would keep no such fool promise as
he maze you. think I know all that
Is wrong. They wrote me Of the
money, as Blnner told them to, that
you were to have charge Of It. You
want me to have II for what you
think Is mothers happiness and milne,
and you won't come to me II | DO
take II. You see, know. Why, !
couldn't take 1t. couldn't be happy
with II. / love you, the village aud
the ones have known from glrlhOod
couldn't touch n penny Of II. because
| knew how lie got II. You see"
He rose to his feet trembling. But
you accepted itw
Her white teeth cleaned II bit in a
smile "FOr others! I'm going to
turn every cent VI 1t over to that hos
pilal for crippled Riddles you know
the one we visited That wish nearly
broke NY heart seeing them I'm
going to make his money forget lts
black past. Oh, my dear, simply
must have you! I simply must Take
mo and say"
The door opened slightly, sud Ted
stuck his head In, gasped at what he
saw and with the utmost skill softly
ling lniy, g"Jtly clOsec II.