Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-02-24

could have had no notion in separating
Leonard and me, and believe what she
has told me tonight-that it was not
her doing"
II am glad you are reconciled, said
1, and then | was about to ask her why
she thought that Aunt Harriet was to
have the money. OF course l knew il
was not true, for my information had
come direct from Lawyer Warren. But
she spoke again before could frame a
question.
Aunt Harriet is reconciled to Mil
dred, " said she at seems that some
one told Aunt Harriet that Mildred was
to have the money and that she had
known it long time. OF course If that
was so Mildred could not have wanted
Leonard because he was to be the heir,
which was what Aunt Harriet had be-
lieved. SO Aunt Harriet, being a per-
fectly just woman, went to Mildred,
and they made it all up. How fortu-
nate that she was misinformedr"
VERY, said l, a good deal per-
picked by the amount of misinforma-
ton that seemed to be in circulation.
"Do you know who told herH'
Before Daisy could answer we were
interrupted by the coming of Mildred
How lovely the girl looked in the pale
glory of the moonlight My heart leap
ed up at the sight of her.
Frank, " said she, "I have done you
a great injustice, and l wish to humbly
beg your pardon. l thought that you
were after this dreadful money, but it
seems that you knew all along that you
were to be the heir And today, when
Uncle Billy is so i'll and the money 30
near your grasp, you have gone to IN
Gle Henry and settled all your differ
ences. yielding everything to him, when
you might have won every point with
the wealth that will be yours. 1t was
very noble of you, and 1 hope you will
forgive me for every thought of mine
that has wronged you"
Dearest Mildred" said I. taking
both her hands, "here is some strange
misunderstanding, but 1 thank heaven
for it. | am not the heir. am not
nearly so good fellow as you think
me, but | love you with all my heart,
and l believe that in the light of your
eyes l could grow to something almost
worthy of you.
Daisy had quietly slipped away. but
l don think we should have paid any
attention to her if she had remained.
We had really loved each other n long
while, and our hearts rushed together
with force that could not be staid.
Poor Uncle Billy died that night,
leaving united family behind him, as
has been here disclosed What else he
left and TO whom we learned on the day
after the funeral. when old Sam War
rem assembled us in his Office to hear
the final decree.
Ladies and gentlemen" he began.
''let me prepare you for surprises. "
He paused and let us prepare our
selves. When we seemed to have done
so, he continued:
William Harris died intestate. The
only will he ever made was destroyed
some years ago. Everything in relation
to his property. however, will be made
clear to you when read this letter. ad-
dressed to me by him on the day when
he was taken down with what proved
to be-and what he felt then to be-his
last illness
Upon this, adjusting his spectacles
carefully, he read as follows:
DEAR SAM-It will be no news to you, though
1t will be to everyb body else, when 1 remark
here that haven't dollar in the world. MY
visible property in Bellport will Just square
Its own mortgages, and everything else has
vanished in speculation and foolish invest
ments. The only legacy / have TO leave Is a
great crop Of dissensions in my family but II
possible must straighten these difficulties all
out before die and thus atone for pretending
10 be rich.
II you will follow my instructions implicit
ly, believe that all will be we'll. Every body
knows that you have been familiar with nv
affairs, and hint from you will be accepted
as absolute verify. Therefore 1t is for you to
do these things
Tell Frank that his Uncle Henry gets the
money.
Tell Henry that Leonard gets the money.
Don't tell Leonard anything.
Tell Daisy that Aunt Harriet gets the monav
Tell Harriet that Mildred gets It,
Tell Mildred that Frank gets 1t and say that
the heir or heiress has known II a long time
Give all these pieces Of misnformation pri-
vately and quietly, and this Is about what
will happen:
Frank will go TO his Uncle Henry.
Henry will go to Leonard.
Leonard will go to Daisy.
Daisy will go TO Harriet.
Harriet will go TO Mildred.
Mildred will go to Frank. and they'll all be
reconciled.
have been tinkering with this long while.
1t is harder TO figure out than a town meeting
but It will work. l leave to them my blessing,
equally TO them all, and with sincere affection.
1t is all have. Everything else is mortgaged.
Yours sincerely, WILLIAM HARRIS.
And when we got our breath we all
rose up and called Uncle Billy blessed
without Doubt.
A lnrinht uivl ono 8 A. NJ