The Osceola times., 1885-01-10

keep the news of your good fortune from
you any longer"
''The news of my good fortune!" ex-
claimed Frank, while a sudden flush
mounted TO his forehead Dick, with
the gridiron in his hand, turned his
head 10 listen.
DO you remember your uncle, Mr..
Timothy Askewp" asked Mr.. Gimp
with most provoking GOODNESS.
"Mr. Askew was my fathers half
brother. ] have often heard my moth
er speak of him, but never saw him."
Mr.. Askew went to India when
quite young man. He remained there
thirty years, and was on his voyage
home when he died. He had made his
will five years previously and deposited
it with his bankers. BY that will, you
are declared Mr.. Askew's sole heir and
legatee. Your income will be some-
thing like eight thousand year; and
congratulate you very sincerely on your
good fortune"
not speak. 81 my uncle's heir-the
heir of man who never even saw me-"
he exclaimed at last. Eight thousand
n year.'
Enter the fairy godmother dis
guised as an elderly lawyer" muir
INJURED Dick to himself ''Frank will
hardly care about a'bloater to his tea
now. Pork sausages at eleven pence Il
pound would hardly be good enough. :"
Mr.. Gimp took snuff vigorously.
at seems like dream. can hard
ly believe it true," said Frank after q
pause.
"But for all that, it is perfectly
true responded the lawyer with a
smile. "Waylands-A very pretty lii.
tie place in Surrey, which Mr.. Askew
never lived to inhabit-will now own
you for its master. But we can go in
to all needfnl details tomorrow.
"lt seems incredible like tale out
of the arabian Nights How long
has my uncle been dead?'
"Six months lie died q fortnight
after leaving Calcutta. A pretty job
I've had to hunt you up, Mr.. Frobisher
Who would expect to find the heir to
eight thousand year in a garret in
Sohop'
Dick took up his hat and crossed the
room. 81 never believed in rich uncles
from India till to-day" he said. "I've
seen more than one of them on the
stage; but never heard of one in real
life till this afternoon. Frank, old fel.
low, ! congratulate you with all my
heart"
The hands of the two friends met in a
long hearty grip.
"Where on earth are you off to now,
DickP' asked Frobisher.
Pm just going out for little while,
old man. You and this gentlemen have
lot of things to talk over, so l thought
| would step round the corner for hall
an hour and imbibe little of some
thing, and pull myself together bit.
for you're going to be regular swell
now, Frank There was ring OF
, pathos in the honest fellows voice as
he spoke thus, with his soft felt hal
clutched between his strong fingers.
"H you dare to stir step beyond
that door. I'll never speak to you again. "
cried Frobisher as he started to his feet.
Put down your hat this moment, and
pour me out a cup of tea"
II will take a cup also, if you please,
Mr.. Drummond,' said the lawyer.
Dick flung his hat across the room
and proceeded TO do as he was told,
whistling softly to himself as he did so.
He set up one cup of tea before Frank
and another before Mr.. Gimp, and then
poured out some for himself into a
small basin, the tea-service in the Soho
lodgings being strictly limited TO two
cups and saucers
Meanwhile the lawyer had resumed
his conversation with Frank: "Yes. sir,
pretty chase I've had before found
you," he said. "It's only two hours
since obtained clew to your where.
abouts, and lost not moment in com.
ing to see you. l just dropped in upon
your uncle, Mr.. Pebworth, rs ! came
along. and told him the news. He was
overjoyed.'
'My uncle overjoyed at your finding
men' exclaimed the young man, in NJ
unmistakable tone of sarcasm,
''He really was. He himself has been
most indefatigablc in his efforts to find
you"
Il can quite believe it, now that | am
rich. He was equally indefatigable in
his efforts to shun me rs long as | was
poor
"Beg pardon. but you do Mr.. Peb-
worth an in, ,usticc; I'm sure you do
Then beg Mr.. PebworthS pardon.
But YOU must remember. Mr.. Gimp,
that speak from bitter experience"
"You have doubtless been poor, Mr..
Frobisher. and poverty is like cheap
looking glass, it distorts everything
that is reflected in it. l expect Mr..
Pcbworth here, to congratulate you in
person. in the course of few minutes.
Frank started to his feet, an angry
light sparkling in his eyes. ''Mr. Peb-
worth coming here! The last man in
the world whom should care to see."
"And vet Mr.. Pebworth is your near.
est living relative" said the lawyer,
dryly.
because have the misfortune to be
his nephew, is that any reason why
should like him or care to see him?"
Mr.. Gimp's reply to the question was
n pinch of snuff.
Frank took turn across the room,
and then resumed his seat 'Look you,
Mr. Gimp" he began; twice when MIR.
Pcbworth was a young man and ruin
stared him in the face, he was saved by
my fathers helping hand Time went
on Thanks TO the fresh start thus
given him, Mr. Pebworth grew prosper.
ous and wcll-to-do. Misfortune over
took my father, then came illness. then
death. His last words to my mother
were: "Pebworth will take care OF
Frank" his last act, to write few lines
recommending me TO my uncle's care.
After my fathers death, the lines thus
written were sent by my mother Ia