The Portland daily press., 1893-08-10

WIN narrow red tape upon the table, the
visitor, whose card announced him to be
Mr.. Parchment Wills of the firm of Wills
g. Draft, solicitors, Chauncey Chambers,
looking full at the contractor, said:
''Sir, you will doubtless wonder why
al entire stranger to you has sought this
interview, and in explanation must in
form you that our firm have for the past
two years been engaged in seeking out a
young man who evidently, quite I'M
known to himself, is the actual heir to
no less SUM than 81 200, 900, a fortune
to which he legally becomes entitled by
the death Of an uncle, q wealthy land
owner and stock raiser in Australia. In
tho course of our inquieies we have been
led to hope that you might be able to
give us some clew to the whereabouts of
this fortunate Individual, who, upon es-
tablishing himself to be the son of one
Arthur Linton and his wife Maria, long
resident in College street, Cambridge,
but since dead, viii be able to claim be-
ing considered millionaire"
"What name did you say?' asked
Grubber, leaning forward toward his
visitor.
'sThe full name Of the young man we
are SO anxious to find is Arthur Barton
Linton, his fathers sister having mar
ried a Joseph Barton, after whom young
Linton was named. My object, sir, ir
coming to you is that our firm has dis
covered that you were in years gone by
acquainted with the Lintons, and, fur
thermore, we had been informed that he
was believed to be an occasional visitor
at your house. If, sir, we have been
misinformed, I can only crave your par
don for my intrusion upon you."
''You are quite right, sir" said Grub
Der. II was acquainted with the Lin
tons Of Cambridge during their lifetime,
and I remember that I have heard that
the sister of my old friend was married
to a man Of the name of Barton, with
whom she emigrated to Australia soon
after her marriage, and I have occasion
ally seen young Linton, coming in con-
tact with him IN the course Of business,
he having occasionally submitted to me
plans of buildings for which I have con-
tracted."
s'Then you can give me his address,
cried the other eagerly.
'"That, sir, regret I am unable to
furnish" said Grubber, the falsehood
tinting his sallow cheeks with red. "But
now I remember the young man has
promised to submit some plans to me in
the course Of few weeks with respect
to large building am about to erect,
and I think, sir, that to save yourself
further trouble and expense in your
search we had better wait till he lays
these plans before me, when / can tell
him that if he calls upon your firm he
may hear something to his advantage"
Perhaps so, sir, "said Mr.. Wills, rising
and taking up his bundle Of papers. 1--WE
are now assured Of his existence and of
the large commission which of course
we charge. But that deducted Arthur
Barton Linton will still be millionaire,
the envy Of his own sex and the admira-
ton Of the ladies. Lucky dog. All, Mr..
Grubber, how wish you and were as
fortunate as this young fellow, whose
future position will afford him all the
pleasures and Injuries of lifei You will
not fail to send him, sir, to us, and now.
apologizing for taking up SO much Of
your time, I will bid you good day."
Mr.. Grubber bowed his visitor out and
then sank into his chair.
"Arthur Linton, the sutton for my
wards hand, a millionaire" he nut
tered. 'sAhi that 1 had known this two
days ago; how different then would have
been my answer to him"
AS he rose and thoughtfully paced the
room Arthur and Eva entered the apart
ment.
ssSir," said Arthur, ST have come for
the last time to ask your permission to
wed your niece. For your consent she
joins her prayers to mine. 1t rests with
you, sir, whether our future lives are to
be rendered happy or miserable"
s'Uncle," said Eva, throwing herself
at his feet, 'sby the memory of your own
love, by the thought of what you and
my dear aunt would have suffered had
my grandfather refused his consent to
your union, I conjure you to have pity
on those who love as truly and purely as
did yourselves, and by your consent
make your niece and Arthur happy"
"Well, well, my darling Eva, u he said,
taking her hand in his own, ssfar be it
from me to cause you pain. I have been
thinking and have come to the conclu-
sion that perhaps after all was selfish
in desiring to keep you always with me.
1t is but natural for man and woman to
love and to wed. will no longer be
stumbling block in the path of your hap
piness. Take her, Arthur; she is yours"
With glad cry the lovers sprang to
each others arms.
eyes, she is yours" said Grubber,
tsand now take my advice. Get a spe-
cial license and get married as soon as
you can, for if I get another twinge of
the COMPOUNDED govt your wedding may
be long delayed"
A week later, as Mr.. Grubber drew on
his white kid gloves, he said:
81 expect a gentleman here this morn