The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-08-25
HOW HE FOUND OUT.
RY E. DRuKE COLLINS.

rs this thing true? | can scarcely be-
lieve it?''
Gerald Vane's face was very pale as he
spoke, and his blue eyes grew dark as night
with repressed excitement.
Lawyer Clayton took off his spectacles
and wiped them vigorously, then replaced
them once more upon his nose.
my dear boyP'-in tone of real sym
pathy-"I am sorry, indeed, but this sort
of thing, though very disappointing and
crushing, cannot be helped l always
feared that there might appear in time an
other claimant to your fortune. This comes
of making no provision for the future. Had
old General Glare executed will and left
his immense fortune to whom he wished,
all this might have been avoided. You
were his most trusted friend, though only
distant relative. Before he died he mem
toned to me that you would inherit-as
heir at law. You know his death was so
awfully sudden he was stricken down SO
unexpectedly, that he had no time for
preparation or explanation. When he died
you came into possession, and have en-
joYed the fortune ever since; until, of
course, it has become part Of your exist
euce to be known as the heir of General
Clare, who died worth millions. Yet, here
comes letter-lilSe a blow il fell upon me,
Gerald-which says the only daughter of
the generals dead son, Robert Glare, is
living. Kathleen is her name, and the
line Which accompanied her lawyers epistle
to me was certainly ladylil1e and well ex-
pressed. 1t seems that she is not aware
that her grandfather's estate has been
claimed by another. She is very poor, and
says that small sum would be boon to
her; but, of course, Gerald, if she takes
any, she must have all"
"Of course"
.She says" continued the old lawyer
grayely, THAT she is coming to this city
shortly to Investigate the matter. That
she will find home with lady while
here and the matter is pending. am sure
she writes like very sensible young wo-
man," lie added, glancing oyer the letter
in his hand once more. "She called upon
me yesterday" he added. 'and / declare
am charmed with her. Gerald, | declare
so | y-very-honostly sorry that this
thing has occurred. 1t is hard lines for
you,my boyv' the kindly old man repeated,
glancing into the pale, quiet face once
more.
Gerald Nane arose to his feet.
"Ah! well, Mr.. Clayton" he said, calm
ly, "there are worse calamities in this
world than the mere loss of riches, which
are prone to take wings, You know! As
lcng as am strong and have my health, l
shall notrepine. There is only
He stopped short, with sudden mem
ory creeping over him like a chill.
81 had forgotten in the first shock" he
added abruptly ~ had not thought
There is Mabel! How will she bear it?"
How, indeed. Mabel Thornton was not
woman accustomed to poverty, or the
hardships of daily life without wealth. She
was not rich, it is true, but she possessed
sufficient of this worlds goods to lift her
above the grind of daily encounter with
the rough side Of life But she was proud
and ambitious, this beautiful Mabel Thorn
ton, who had been Gerald Vane's betrothed
wife for whole month now. He remem-
bered how dainty and delicate she was, and
his heart grew cold within his breast
Would she be able to bear it2 He checked
sigh.
1T is my duty to tell Eer without delay p
he said. "Mr. Clayton, am going to call
upon Miss Thorntonl She ought to know
all as soon as possible"
"You are right, Gerald. That will be
the most honorable course. Good-morn-
ing" he added, as Gerald took his hat and
left the Office, his face pale and troubled.
The keen eyes of the old lawyer followed
the young mans graceful figure He shook
his head slowly and obviously.
"Poor boy he is trusting in the frailest
of all frail things-a fashionable woman's
constancY," he muttered "God help
him."
Pale and stern, Gerald Vane strobe on
down the street, his thoughts busy with
one perplexing mental question. ''How
will Mabel bear it?" And as he hastened
onward, with compressed lips and troubled
face, he heard the sound of horses feet
tearing down the street. He turned in
voluntarily to see team of spirited blacks
cashing down the crowded thoroughfare,
and right before them, on the crossing. a
girl-a slight, graceful little figure, in a
plain grey serge dress. Gerald's eyes fell
upon her, and his heart gave bound. The
girl was in danger of being trampled to
death beneath those iron-shod hoofs, YET
she could not extIicate herself from the
crowd OF vehicles coming and going from