The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-02-11
CHAPTER XIV.

1t was sad house when Mr.. Wilcox's
body was taken from 1t in casket and
carried to tho New York Central Depot
where it was placed on train and con-
veyed to the New England village where
he had expressed desire to be buried.
Mrs. Delaro and Armida accompanied
the body, as also did Mr.. Blodger, and
as the last rites were administered that
soft-hearted old gentleman wiped away
big tears from his eyes with a haring
red silk handkerchief He could hardly
think 1t true that the close friend OF his
early days had been carried of so sud
denly and 1t was with sad heart that
he turned his back on the grave. There
was no ostentatious display; every thing
was simple as the honest old million
aires life had been. He had but few
friends during life whom he could call
friends and three Of them wept at his
grave.
Hearing OF his death a large number
Of his relations had presented them
selves at his house in New York and
commenced interierences which were
boldly and decisively checked by Mrs.
Delaro and the lawyers. Many OF them
we're persons who treated the dead mill
ionaire very badly before he migrated
to California, but they had often en-
deavored TO become more intimate with
him in later years These he had sue
cessfully kept at arms length; neverthe-
less they rallied. like carrion crows,
filled with the fond hope that he had
not forgotten his relations In his last
hours, and all expected that their names
would be foundin the will in connec-
ton with fat legacies Had they been
mindful OF tho old proverb how much
less severe would have been their dis
appointment
In most cases they we're ignored al
together and only a few OF their
names were mentioned In the will
which was few weeks later
admitted TO probate. To the astonish-
ment OF all, and more especially to the
New England relatives, the bulk OF
Joel Wilcoxs wealth including mining
and railroad stocks representing enorm-
Gus sums he bequeathed to Percy Lovel.
To Mrs. Delaro he loft nearly all his
California estates and among them was
the Posada vineyard which was now
once more the property OF the Delaros.
To Armida he gave his beautiful
mansion and grounds in the Sonoma
valley, and the rest OF his few
bequests consisted Of various sums left
TO charitable institutions and those OF
his relatives for whom he had still re-
tained some regard. This, briefly, was
the last will and testament OF Joel
Wilcox.
IL was not until his body was laid tC
rest that Mrs. Delaro thoroughly com
pretended how true and staunch 9
friend she had lost, and she now fell
very much alone In the world. True
her daughter remained; but the stout
hearts who had passed their word u
assist her in every way TO accomplish
the purpose OF her life had left her side
and she mad grave fears that hei
efforts might now fall short OF her one
cherished desire.
The house in which Mr.. Wilcox hat
died soon became too droary q place fo
Armida to be confined In and her mother
noticed IL. IL wonld never do TO SCI
the healthy color leave those cheeks
achange must be sought and that yer!
soon. Yet something ought to b.
learned Of Percy Lowell, thought Mrs
Delaro. What was to be learned cam
soon to hand, but 1t was eminently IN
satisfactory.
The letter from the American Consu
at Buenos Ayres merely stated that
gentleman travelling as Mr. Byro
Huntly had appeared in that city, bu
his stay had been only brief one. II
had taken trip into tho Interior b
said, and nothing had boen heard fror
him since. But as such occurrence
we're not infrequent ithad caused no sc
rious investigations TO be made, thoug
should any other news come TO hand tn
Consul promised TO advise Mr.. Wilcox.
This letter did not arrive until afte
Mr.. Wilcox's death, and IL trouble
Mrs Delaro not little. She had hear
that Mr.. limerick was again In Me-
York, and she had advised Mrs. Breg
Of the fact, bnt had not seen that goo
woman since.
Some few weeks later another lette
arrived from Buenos Ayres convcyin