The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-02
HIS LOSS MY GAIN.

| the family at all. We had no end of rela
tives, and no was general favorito with
| all, even some hc had never seen, for they
| would die and leave him legaoios. Ho was
| constantly getting somo little "windfall"
| of this kind until at length Charley Wi.
burns luck" became general catchword
among us, synonym for all that was
lucky and fortunate.
Ono morning at breakfast-we were
artists and shared the same rooms and stu
dio-he received n black edged letter.
which, upon opening and reading, no cast
down with discontented look
Another funeral to go to" he grum-
bled, land here are my pictures un6nish-
cd, and next week is sending in dayp'
"Who is it nows" asked. Another
legacy, suppose, eh?'
Every likely," he returned indifferent
ly. Ho was so used to these things he
scarcely took any notice of them now.
Its Unclo Alexander Stephen. Did you
know him?''
shook M head. "Havo heard of him;
never SAW him." said.
II hardly knew him myself" Charley
explained, Eat least not since L was boy.
It's rare bother, this, coming Just now.
Such long journey into the country
say, Jack, you have done your pictures
and sent them in and have nothing to do
for spell. Couldn't you 20 down for mcy'
"What, in your name!n l exclaimed.
Eyes Why not? It's years since
was among any OF the set This letter is
from Mr.. Parchly, the solicitor Of the
will, suppose. He doesn'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, rs 1 generally did where Charley
was concerned.
l took tho lawyers letter rs u sort Of Gre
Dental and set out, grumbling a good
deal ut what 1 considered Charlcys
check in thus making usc of me. If
had finished up my work before he had, it
was only because had worked ut it more
constantly, and now, instead of roaping
the advantage in the shape of few days
rest, he made it an excuse for sending me
off on u lugubrious mission like this, and
Charley would no doubt have q good Icga-
cy, too, out of it.
Il don't suppose it's much" no said to
me. Perhaps IA hundred or two-hardly
worth going down for, you know"
So l had to 90, with no legacy IN view
at all, small or large!
However, as l have said, set out for
the place-it was in Devonshirc-and in
due course 1 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 n short distance away.
The next day, therefore, saw me among
the assembled guests. found out Mr..
| Parchly and silently showed him his own
letter. "Ah," said he, lyon arc Mr.. Wi
burn. Very good. Glad to sec you"
did not reply, 80 he concluded that was
Charley Wiburn without my having said
anything one way or the other.
But when, after tho funeral, the will
| came to be read 1 found Charley was
down for 20, 0O0 This mado me think it
harder lines than ever that L 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 tho hotel when some ono said.
MIR. Wiburn, believer" looked around
and saw stiff. military looking old boy
regarding no with smile through his
spectncles. Charley" said he, don't
you remember mef" l thought to my
self "Oh, now I'm in for It, Hero's q
nice mess all through trying to serve
Charley. just my bad luck" This feel
~ wants 20 speak to you. She has been
looking at you and says she can hardly
recognize you for her old playiellow. j"
Ono wonder, 3" thought. alt would be-
strange if she did.')
| She came up and shook hands. and the
moment looked at her simply foil help.
lcssly head over ears in love with hor then
and there She seemed to bo the lovcliest
most adorable creature l had ever seen. A
sudden resolve came into my mind Rath-
or than run tho risk of losing "A chance l
now had Of speaking to her would say
nothing about my not being Charley. {"
let the consequences be what they might.
| Don't you remember your little play
mate Mill!" said she, with a blush and
an enhancing look in her beautiful owes.
We'll, it's not so surprising, for | should
never havo known you, either if Mr..
Parchly had not pointed you out to us"
| Before j exactly realized what | was
doing was whis!.cd oil to Major Rain
field ) houso--aS found the name of Mil
lyS father To ac-tO dine, calling at the
hotel for my ovcnin; ''togS" on the way.
found tnc majors house neat. quiet
looking littio place Oh the outskirts of the
town. He lived alone with his ,lnuphter-
his vito being Gcad-a housckccper and
ono servant. Though everything was com
Portable, thcro Was that indcscribabIc mir
that gave ono tho impression that they
Were not too we'll OFF as regards this worlds
goods.
] Since was not too we'll OF, either. this
would not hive troubled me bnt for thot
legacy of $4,000 WAS supposed to have
come in for WAS that the secret cause
of this sudden frlendlinessy" asked mys
self. But when looked at Miily and saw
the frank glance of her truthful. honest
looking eyes 1 felt ashamed of myself.
| Nor when | regarded the major and noted