The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19
had prevented him from calling in the doctor

sooner.
Il was afraid of the expense of long i'll
ness, doctor,'' he said. I'm poor-very poor
Don't believe people who tell you l am rich
There are some who profess to believe | am,
but it's all nonsense. 1 couldn't pay Ions
doctors bill. AS it is, though, l shan't re-
quire your services for many weeks, | don't
know how you'll be paid for your trouble.
l don't indeed"-and he looked genuinely dis
tressed. My-those who are coming after
me will see to it, / hope.
yes, yeS-no doubt" replied Doctor Ven
ming. Don't let that disturb you, Mr.. March.
Doctors always get paid somehow in the long
run. Now tell me how long you've been all
ing, and all about yourself; and, believe me-"
he added; eff there is anything 1 do for
you as friend, well a doctor, l shall
be happy to do it,.
An odd cunning smile parted the old mans
lips
"Ah, I understand. Thanks DOCTOR but
there is nothing he said Nothing. 1t isn't
as if 1 were a rich man, as some people i'm
agine. My worldly affairs, such as they are,
will take no trouble time to arrange. I'm
not worrying myself about them. Good food
and wine, you say! It's a long time since
I've tasted wine, but there may be few bot
ties left in the cellar still. Carter shall see.
I've had to lead a frugal life-to do without
superfuities, YOU know"
You must strengthen yourself as much as
possible" replied Doctor Venning; you've
run down, you know
And then, after a little further talk, and
the writing Of a prescription, the doctor left
him.
| Doctor and patient did not meet again. Two
days later, Carter, on coming into his mas
terS room, found him seated in his chair by
the bureau deadi
His solicitor was telegraphed for, and after
/ the funeral search for the will was made
but though every drawer and cupboard every
nook and Granny was examined, it could not
be fOund-nOt even memorandum to tell
what were the wisnes of the deceased in re-
gard to the disposal of his large fortune, for
| ATor rah in6 nrly i0h
in spite of his prOtestations of penury and
his fears of poverty.
! "A queer old fellow, said Mr.. Stevens the
lawyer. Made a will every six months of
his life at one time and destroyed it soon
as it was made; the last we drew for him
he burnt five years ago. Many time has he
written to me since then to say he intended
making another-that he was thinking out
the way in which he should wish his property
to be disposed of, but he never made it.
urged him to do it strongly l dared,
but 1 believe did more harm than good by
so doing, and it would have been better if
had let it alone. The old man grew suspic-
| ious and obstinate, and refused to listen to
me. Now he's died intestate and of course
young Brian Beresford, his next-of-kin, and
| only male relative, comes in for everything
| A rather good property, too Nearer seven
than six thousand year, I should say. Who
knows his address? We should cable to him
ataonce to come home.'' "a H+,- II.
! "I don't know it, replied Doctor Venning
whilst Carter shook his head sorrowfully
But if anyone ooes it will be Lord Forres-
tier.
Lord Forester! Oh, :ndeed In that
| case, I'll call on his lordship. He's at the
| Court, isn't he?" replied Mr.. Stevens.
! Yes; he's always there now" said Doctor
| Venning. He's not a rich man, Stevens, like
cur poor friend was. I wish he were"
What, no will? How extraordinary" said
Lord Forester, when the lawyer and he met
Il tried to see poo- March before his death.
| called as soon as I heard he was seriously
ill, but 1 was too late. He-he hadn't much
to leave, suppose?"
| replied Mr.. Stevens. Mr.. Brian Beresford
| is the next-of-kin, you know, and we are
anxious to get his present address,
"Indeed!"-and Lord FORESTER started
This would be news indeed for Violet he
thought. Fortunately I have Mr.. Beres-
ford's directions. He wrote to me from On
tario-Cliffville-only a month ago."
| A cable to Brian was forthwith despatched
which he received at Cliffville, and which
decided him to send the letter to Abe Beam
ish that Jim Hardy entrusted with,
whilst he that same evening set out on his
return to Europe.
No willard he the next -ofkin Harley
Grange his, and a handsome fortune besides!
He could hardly credit it. Uncle March had
always impressed on him the fact of his poy-
erty, and had lived as if every shilling he
spent were parted with regretfully How
could he have endured to lead such a life,
with the means of comfort and enjoyment
within his reach?
And his own days of poverty and hard
work were over. He had no need to toll any
more or to remain an exile from his own
land. Above aH-and his heart thobbed low
fully and thankfully at the thought-Violet
would now be his! Lord Forester would
no longer put any hindrance in the way of
their marriage.
He lost no time therefore, in beginning his
homeward journey. and right glad he was to
turn his back on the scene of his two years