Life — January 11, 1912 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“EPR E A Vicarious Benedict “ MY’ doctors tell me I cannot pos- sibly live a year longer.” Old Cassender, the millionaire, gazed at his young friend, Petrey. “ Now, old man,” he said—he had a habit of calling all his young friends “old men”—“the case is just here. You and I are both in love with the same girl, You are so poor that you cannot in honor marry her, and I am so near my end that it won’t make any difference. Now what I propose is just this: I'll marry her for the short tine I have left. Then I'll settle all my money on you, and you can enjoy yourself the rest of your lives, in ease and plenty. Could anything be more perfect?” he added, with an encourag- ing smile. “How do you know?” said Petrey, “that Bessie will have you?” “She's a sensible girl, isn’t she? Do you suppose that she will throw away a chance like that? Why,” he added persuasively, “it won't mean any more to both of you than a protracted en- gagement. At present there’s no hope of your ever getting married. A few short months to wait, and the thing is done. Think of the fine start you'll have. No anxiety about money, ch, my boy?” “Tt looks pretty good to me,” said Petrey, thoughtfully. “But——” He gazed at his venerable friend. “ Your doctors are correct, aren’t they?” “Most reliable in the country. they all agree.” “That's bad!” “T know it is under ordinary cir- And By T. L. M. cumstances, But, you see—my dear boy, I have a series of complications. Why,” proudly, “any one of them is fatal.” “You get about pretty well!” “That's only because of my youthful spi Why, do you know, I've really been looking forward to this period— a time when all care is thrown aside, and I propose to wind up with a year of solid enjoyment. You needn't worry.” He looked earnestly into his young friend’s face. “I'll be willing to guarantee that I won't live over a year. I'll put up a bond——” “No, sir. Your word of honor as a gentleman is quite enough. Now, about the business end.” “Tl make an immediate will leaving everything to you and my—ahem—wife. I'm worth, I should say at the present moment, about $1,200,000.” “That will be perfectly tory.” “And you'll see Bessie —” At once.” Petrey called immediately at Miss satisfac- “Tt was rough on Petrey, but the prospect of all the money Pendleton’s and frankly explained the case. “Tt will only be for a few short months, darling,” hé said, “and then we'll be as happy as you can imagine. Mr. Cassender, as you know, is rather feeble, but full of youthful enthusiasm. I really think it will be a valuable ex- perience for you. Besides,” he added, “you must consider our future!” In a few days the whole matter was arranged. “T shall insist,” said the elderly bridegroom, “in your being my best man. It will show that there’s no hard feeling between us.” “Oh, certainly.” Petrey mentally squirmed at this, but he had only to think of all that money and the ideal life ahead of him to consent to almost anything. The ceremony was performed quict- ly and the happy couple started off on their honeymoon. “You'll permit me, I presume, to kiss the bride?” asked Petrey. “Certainly, my dear boy. There's and the ideal life ahead of him made him resigned to almost anything”