Part 27 (2/2)

Perhaps her notion was to scare the young men off and keep Kate single after all.”

But Morton Elwell burst out laughing. ”Not a bit of it,” he said. ”A fellow who didn't think he was mighty lucky to get Kate on any terms wouldn't deserve to have her, and the old lady knew it. Kate, I call this glorious!” and he caught her and whirled her around the room at a rate which left them both breathless.

”I'll tell you what 'tis, father,” she began, with a gasp, when they had fairly stopped. ”I don't intend to have the name without the game, and I mean to begin to use that money as I please, right away. We'll pay off that mortgage that has bothered you so, the very first thing.”

”Nonsense,” said the doctor; but she went on:-

”And maybe, when I get through the rest of my schooling, I'll take a course in medicine. I always thought I should like to be a doctor. Don't you think 'Northmore and Northmore' would look well over your office?”

”Nonsense,” he said again, this time more sternly. But he had been known to say ”nonsense” before to some plans which his girls carried out.

And after a while-”How far do thirty-five thousand dollars go? I _might_ do something handsome by Mort and Esther,” she added, sending a sly look at the two young people.

Their sudden blushes told the rest of the story.

”Well, well!” said the doctor, laying down the paper, ”how things are heaping up to-night!” He sent a glance at his wife, and the look in her eyes made his own grow moist. ”My dear,” he said, ”this is a pretty good world of ours, after all. I don't pretend to understand what the cranks are driving at, but I rather think there are some of the old ways that'll keep it sweet yet.”

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