But I loved that
woman thirty years ago, and was fool enough to think I might win her if
I could strike it rich here in California. I'm older now, and wiser, I
hope. If a woman won't marry a man 'for richer or poorer'--especially
poorer--she oughtn't to marry him at all. There's my nephew who was out
here ten years ago. Married without a dollar and got the best wife in
the world. No, Keeler; I may be a fool; but I'm not the kind of fool to
marry an old woman because she hankers after my money.
"I went to San Francisco because I pity the woman, and because I thought
I might help her to become more decent and self-respecting."
Here the old man paused. Keeler noticed that he was much embarrassed.
"I would have kept this affair to myself, Keeler; but we must get the
rascals who shot Cummins, so you ought to know the whole story.
"Harriet Chesney was a pretty girl thirty years ago. Rather too proud of
her good looks, and a selfish minx. But a young man who has had a good
mother thinks all women are good, I guess. I was terribly cut up when
she refused me; but I hate to think now what might have happened if she
had accepted me!"
"Why, here ten years back, a brother of mine in Michigan wrote to warn
me that Harriet Chesney was coming to California to murder me.
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