A Will And A Way And A New Year Bride

Northland Age, Volume 26, Issue 43, 16 March 1927, Page 5

A Will And A Way And A New Year Bride

'«* <Io wish the postman would come 1” •aiii Vlarion Harlield, namesake of a maiden a lift t who had died nearly nine years <#■' but whose memory was very fresh in 0«e minds of her relatives at the time of uhich I am writing. And had she not given good cause to le remembered ?

She had died worth about twenty thousand pounds, and in her will had given directions that a certain sum of money was to be used by Mr. Haifield for the benefit of his family, until her god-child Marion, was eighteen years of age. On, the anniversary of that eighteenth birthday Marion was to receive a letter from Jier aunt’s lawyer, which would state how the money was to be disposed of after that time.

The morning had arrived, and Marion’s excitement about the letter was intense. Tire postman came at last, and Mr. Harfield handed to his daughter the longedfor missive. "Oh, dear, it’s the queerest letter.” said Mai ion,landing it to her father. ‘‘Please read it, papa ; I can’t understand it yet. ’ And Mr. Harfield commenced,: "My Dear Child,—Years ago I was to have married to a man whom I thought all truth and honour. 1 need not tell you the whole story, it is sufficient to tell you that he jilted me. He ruined my faith in mankind’ and that is the reas on that I die unmarried. I would save you, my child, from a fate like mine; therefore, I bequeath to you the interest of my money, so long as you remain unmarried.

"Should you, however, meet one for whom you can give up this money, on the wedding-day read the other letter which my lawyer will forward you, and which will tell you how I wish my money disposed ot.” "Who would give up twenty thousand pounds for the sake of a husband ?” exclaimed Marion.

By which remark it will be seen that Marion was at present heart whole. "But, papa, and all of you,” she went on, “no outsiders need to be told about the conditions on which I receive mv money. We are g#ing to enjoy life with it.” It soon began to be noticed that whe rtver Marion Harfield was, there, or very fer, was Cecil Lynes, the son of a neighKring baronet, to be found.

The diy came when Cecil could no longer refrain from tellimng his love. And Marion ? Well, who could blame her ? "Oh, Cecil! I said I'd live and die an old maid; but my dear, 1 love you—and ram’t r

"And how soon can I h*ve my wife i M questioned Cecil, some half-hour afterwards.

Oh. Cecil, I forg )t 1 Perhaps you won’t wan’t to marry when I tell you about my money.” Then she told the story, with a merry twinkle in her eyes, for she did not for a moment doubt the sincerity of his love.

"My darling! What do I care for your money ? But what will your father say ?’ "Oh, papa will sanction anything that’ is for my happiness, Cecil!” shyly answered Marion.

- In his sweetheart’s words, how ever, it was with rather a faint heart that Cecil presented himself before Mr. Harfield, who, however, did not prove the ! tear that he expected,

And scathe engagement was agreed to. The wedding was arranged to take place early in January, and Mr. Bliss, the lawyer was written to. He graciously accepted the invitation sent to him to be presen 1 at the ceremoney, and promised to bring the fateful letter with him.

The wedding and breakfast were overThe last guest bad departed. "Good-by, money!” cried Maiion, as the family gathered in the drawing-room. "Now, Mr. Bliss, for the letter!”

He pasiei a sealed envelope to her. She tore it open, tried to read it, and ended by handing it to her husband, with a request to read it aloud. These were the words he read : "And so, my child, if you are reading these lines, you are married. Someone in the world has made you care enough tor him to give up your fortune : and he knowing that you will have to do so, has proved that it was for yourself alone that he wooed you. I saved you, my child. from The njisery which I had to endure.

“It was for njy money, not myself, that I was wooed, and I was determined that you, ray darling, should be spared this trial. My plot will have succeeded ! The money is jours!—Marion Cross. Thb'e was a moment’s pause, and then Cecil exclaimed, in ijuite a disappointed tom “You are not poor, then, after all, my darling V’

*X could never be that, " answered Marion, with your love.’ 1

“Allow pf to coogratulaU you, Mrs.

Lynofi,” axcsialjiitid tho old lawyer, the retention of your fortune, and the gain of a husband who is in every respect worthy of you ; and you ray dear sir, upon the gain of a wife and a fortune, neither of which requires praise from me.”