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Newspaper Page Text
"Because," said the lawyer, "Mr. Burman had a position in life which had to be maintained. And yon were the fruit of a mes alliance, a juvenile indiscretion. Mr. Burman decided, quite right ly, that he should not be held re sponsible." "I see," said Maggie. "So he put the responsibility on my mother. Where is she?" "She died when you were born. And now the point is this: Mr. Burman has left you an annual income of seven thousand dollars, to be held in trust for you, upon two conditions. First, that you agree to go to a school in Paris which has been selected for you, and to remain there two years. Secondly, that, after you have been polished, you will' reside with Mrs. Burman as her niece, and that no hint of the secret ever passes your lips, under pen alty of forfeiting your income. Ah, by the way, there is a third condition, but it is too unimport ant tp lay much stress upon it. I believe you have considered yourself engaged i to a worthy young man by the name of Mans' field? A mere clerk, I think. Of course that episode is ended now and forever. Well, Miss Durham," you are a lucky young woman and I congratulate you with all my heart. All that is now requisite is that you sign a document which I have here embodying these terms. You will then receive a quarterly installment of $2,333 33 from me. And of course your past life ends here. You will never leturn to your boarding house. You will go to an apart ment which I have already order ed for you, being under the care of your chaperon, Mrs. Griggle, a member of an aristocratic fam ily. Here is the paper." He be gan shuffling among the sheets Upon the table. Maggie rose up. "Good-bye, Mr. Altemus," she t said. She bowed to the widow and her daughters. "Eh?" said the lawyer. "Declined with thanks' said Maggie. She began to grow red. "Do you think I'd sell myself into slavery for the pleasure of mixing with your crowd?" she demUnd- ', ed. "Why, there isn't a drop of real blood in your veins. There isn't a particle of decent feeling in you. No thanks! I've got something none of you will ever have or ever have had, and that's the love of a good man who's jo ing to ma"ke me happjkand give me-a home. Declined!" , "Stop! Stop !" shouted the law yer. "If you refuse you must sign a release attested 'by four witnesses and drayn Up in the presence of a notary public ac cording to " , But the front door had slam med. "Mercy!" ejaculatedthe widow, f fanning herself briskly. "Thank heaven I haven't got that incubus on my shoulders.. A very vulgar young woman, Mr. Altemus, but upon my word I m almost inclin ed to forgive her low insults in view of what has occurred. Do you think you cart get the release signed for certain, Mr. Altemus?" mtimmmfriimttMk