Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1896-06-11
HIS LOSS MY GAIN.


somehow scarcely seemed to belong to
the family at all. We had no end of rela-
| tives, and he was general favorite with
| all, even some he had never seen, for they
would die and leave him legacies. He was
constantly getting some little ''windfall"
Of this kind until at length Charley Wi
burns luck" became a general catohword
among us, a synonym for al that was
lucky and fortunate.
One morning at breakfast-we were
artists and shared the same rooms and stu
dio-he received black edged letter.
which, upon opening and reading, he cast
down with discontented look.
"Another funeral to go to-" he grum-
bled, "and here are my pictures unfinish-
ed, and next week is sending in day!"
"Who is it now?" asked. "Another
legacy, suppose, eh?"
"Very likely" he returned Indifferent
ly. He was so used to these things he
scarcely took any notice of them now.
cts Uncle Alexander Stephen. Did you
know himP'
l shook my head. 'Have heard of him;
never saw him." said.
II hardly knew him myself, Charley
explained, sat least not since was boy.
It's rare bother, this, coming just now.
Such long journey into the country. l
say, Jack, you have done your pictures
and sent them in and have nothing to do
for SPELL Couldn't you go down for meP"
"What, in your name?" exclaimed.
eyes. Why not? It's years since l
was among any Of the set. This letter is
from Mr.. Parohly, the solicitor of the
will, l suppose. He edoesn't know me. You
are Jack Wiburn. It's only difference of
Christian name, and it's all in the family,
you know"
To cut the matter Short had to con-
sent, as I generally did where Charley
was concerned.
Dental and set out, grumbling a good
deal at what I considered Charley's
"cheek" in thus making use of me. If
had finished up my work before he had, it
was only because had worked at it more
constantly, and now, instead of reaping
the advantage in the shape of a few days
rest, he made it an excuse for sending me
off on lugubrious mission like this, and
Charley would no doubt have good lega-
cy, too, out of 1t.
~ don't suppose it's much" he said to
me. "Perhaps hundred or two-hardly
worth going down for, you know"
So had to go, with no legacy in view
at all, small Or large!
However, as I have said l set out for
the place-it was in Devonshire-and in
due course arrived at the little town and
put up hotel for the night. The funeral
was fixed for the following day, and ON
inquiry learned that the house had to
60 to was only short distance away.
The next day. therefore, saw me among
the assembled guests. l found out Mr..
Parchly and silently showed him his own
letter. "Ah," said he, 'you are Mr.. Wi
burn. Very good. Glad to see YOU"
did not reply, SO he concluded that was
Charley Wiburn without my having said
anything one way or the other.
But when, after the funeral, the will
came to be read 1 found Charley was
down for $4,000! This made me think it
harder lines than ever that should have
had to come down in his place. The
weather was atrociously cold, tho March
winds strong and clustering, with show
ers of sleet and snow, and felt cold and
miserable. At the end of the reading Of
the will was making my way out to get
back to the hotel when some one said
"Mr. Wiburn, believer looked around
and saw stiff, military looking old boy
speotacles. Charley" said he, "don't
you remember mef" / thought to my
self: "Oh, now I'm in for 1t. Here's a
nice mess, all through trying to serve
Charley. just my bad luck" This feel
ing did not grow less when he said: mil
ly wants to speak to you. She has been
looking at you and says she can hardly
recognize you for her old playfellow.'
"No wonder" thought. "It would be
strange If she did
She came up and shook hands" and the
moment looked at her simply fell help
lessly head over ears in love with her then
and there. She seemed to be the loveliest,
most adorable creature had ever seen. A
sudden resolve came into my mind Rath-
er than run the risk of losing chance
now had of speaking to her I would say
nothing about my not being Charley"
let the consequences be what they might,
"Don't you remember your little play
mate MillY" said she, with blush and
an enhancing look in her beautiful eyes,
swell, it's not SO surprising for I should
never have known you, either, If Mr..
Parohly had not pointed you out to u.s."
Before exactly realized what was
doing was whisked off to Major Rain
fields house-as found the name of Mil
ly's father to be-to dine, calling at the
hotel for my evening "togs' on the way
found the majors house neat, quiet
looking little place on the outskirts of the
town. He lived alone with his daughter
his wife being dead-a housekeeper and
one servant. Though everything was COM
Portable, there was that indescribable air
that gave ono the impression that they
were not too we'll off as regards this worlds
goods
Since was not too we'll off, either, this
would not have troubled me but for that
legacy Of $4,000 was supposed to have
come in for. "Was that the secret cause
of this sudden friendlinessP'' asked my.
self. But when looked at Milly and saw
the frank glance Of her truthful, honest
looking eyes felt ashamed of myself.
Nor when regarded the major and noted