Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-10-03
A GIRL GIRL OF GRf&ff GRffFf { .
Copyright, 1900, by r. F. Fenno & Co.
CHAPTER !.

Copyright, 1900, by R. F. Fenno & Co.
CHAPTER l.
MY AMERICAN MILLIONS.
WAS the middle Of the night (as
thought, when Savory-my man.
my landlord. valet and general fac
totum-came In and woke ME. He
gave me a letter. saying simply. "The
gentleman's awaiting, sir" and read
It twice, without understanding 1t In
the very least.
Could II bp hoaX?, To satisfy my.
self I sat I'D In bed. rubbed my aston
isbed and still half sleepy eyes and
read 1t again 1t ran as follows:
GRAY & QUINLAN. SOLICITORS.
l0l LixcoLN's Inn. July II. lss-.
Dear Sir-It Is our pleasing duty to inform
you, at the request OF our New YORK agents.
Messrs. smiddy & Damn Of 81 Chambers street,
New York city, that they have now definitely and
coaclusiyely established your claim as the sole
surviving relative and general ber-at.law OF their
late esteemed client, Mr. Aretas AcFaugat OF
Church place and Fifth avenue. New York.
As the amount Of your inheritance Is very con-
siderable and is estimated approximately at be-
tween sll 900 900 and Sl50 900. say three millions
OF sterling money. We have thought II right 10 ap
, prise you Of your good fortune without delay.
Our Mr.. Richard Quinlan will hand you this letter
in person and will be pleased to take your In
structions. We are sir. your obedient servants
GRAY & QUINLAN.
CAPTAIN william Aretas Wood. d. s O.. q
Charges Street. Piccadi!ly.
"Here. Savory Who brought this!
Do you say he is waiting! I'll see him
IN half a minute" And. sluicing my
head In cold water. put on favorite
,old dressing gown and passed into the
next room. followed by Roy. my pre-
cious golden collie. who began at once
to sniff suspiciously at my visitors
legs.
found there prim. little. old-young
gentleman. who scanned me curiously
through his gold trimmed pince nez.
Although. no doubt. greatly surprised
for he did not quite expect to see an
archmillionaire In an old ulster with
ragged collar Of catskin. with damp.
unkempt locks and unshorn chin at
that time Of day-he addressed me
with much formality and respect.
Il must apologize for this Intrusion,
Captain Wood you are Captain
WoodY
"UndouRtedly."
II am Mr. Quinlan, very much at
your service. Pardon me-is this your
dog? Is he quite to be trustedp
Perfectly. If you don't speak to him.
Lie down, Roy! fear am very late
q ball last night. Do you ever 60 to
balls, Mr.. QuinlanT'
mot often, Captain Wood. But II !
have come too early can call later
on"
by no means. am dying to hear
more. But, first Of all. this letter. It's
all bona fide, supposeT
without question. 1t Is from our
firm. There can be no possible mis-
take. We have made 1t our business
to verify all the facts-indeed, this is
not the first we had heard Of the affair
but we did not think it right to speak
to you too soon. This morning, how
ever, the mail has brought full ac-
acknowledgement of your claims, so we
came on at once to see you"
How did you find me out, pray"
I'VE have had our eye on you for
some time past, Captain Wood" said
the little lawyer smllingly. while
we were inQulring-you understand
we were anxious to do the best for
you
"I'm sure I'm Infinitely obliged to
you. But still can't believe it. quite.
! should like to be convinced Of the re-
ality of my good luck. You see.
haven't thoroughly taken 1t in."
Read this letter from our New York
agents, Captain Wood. 1t gives more
details" and he handed me typewrit-
ten communication on two quarto
sheets Of tissue paper; also number
of cuttings from the New York press.
The early part Of the letter referred
to the search and discovery of the heir
at-law (myself) and stated frankly that
there could be no sort Of doubt that
my case was clear and that they would
be pleased. when called upon. to put
me in full possession Of my estate.
From that they passed on to brief
enumeration Of the assets. which COM
prised real estate In town lots. lands,
houses. stocks. shares, we'll placed in
vestments of all kinds. part ownership
of q lucrative road" or railway; the
controlling power in shipping compa-
MES. coal companies. cable companies,
and mining companies in all parts of
the United States.
at will be seen that the estate Is OF
some magnitude" wrote Messrs. Smid.
dy & Damn. land we earnestly hope
that Captain William A. Wood will
take an early opportunity Of coming
over to look into things for himself.
We shall then be ready to give full
account Of our stewardship and to ex'
plain any details.
meanwhile. to meet any small i'm
mediate needs. we have thought 1t al
visable to remit first bill Of eXchanr
for $50OOO-say ElO.217 It's. 3d., at
current rates-negotiable at sight al !
duly charged by us to the estate"
1.-THE last part of the letter Is con-
vincing enough" l said with little
laugh, as returned 1t to Mr.. Quinlan.
always supposing that it IS real mon
ey and will not turn to withered
leaves"
"How would you like 1t paid. Captain
Wood? Into your bankers"
"If you please. Messrs. Sykes & Sars-
field, the army agents. Of Pail Mall"
ut shall be done at once. ! will call
there, If you will permit me. on way