The National tribune., 1901-03-14

ing any telegram from you. Mt. Bettson-
replied the young man, pointedly, nettled
at the cross-eXaminatiOn. Seeing no
tice of my aunt's death in Boston paper
on board train between Chicago and st.
Louis. | started home the next day. In
order to get leave ! had to threaten 10
throw up my job, which is rather i'm
portant one. AS things have turned out
I'm doubly glad | could come. Aunt Lucy
didn't understand, that's all. She was
very good to me, and it's little enough
can do, now. to show her | don't forget.
''It was very sudden and very sad, her
DEATH said BettsOn, shaking his snowy
mop. at put me in very awkward po-
sition, very" He drummed on the desk
with his fingers for moment, eyeing
Sears sharply. Il may as well tell you
that while Miss Greenlee's will is in terms
unconditional, | have received her estate
merely as her trustee for what we call
q secret trust-thar is, legacy without
expressed conditions, but which the de-
cedent expected to be administered for a
depending on the legatee's honor, not on
legal obligations, to have certain condi-
tions carried OUT
"Well?" questioned Sears, as Bettson
paused 1t seemed to the young man as
il he could hear his own heart beat.
'You know what your aurt'S dearest
wish wasT'
sion, with due respect to her." answered
the other.
"a few days before her death re-
ceiyed this" and, fumbling among the pa
pers on his table a moment. Bettson hand
ed Sears letter. Read it"
1t was directed to the lawyer in Miss
Greenlee's hand, and read as follows:
"You know why / have hequeathed my
estate to you. | am satisfied that though
have already heaped on her all the OBJ
loquy quarter of a century of hate could
devise, my enemy can be really struck
only through her daughter. If within five
years my nephew, Gilbert Sears, is in
strumcntal in causing such breach be-
tween Margaret Keep and her mother as
to lead Mrs. Keep TO disinherit her or
otherwise disown her, / wish my estate
divided equally between them. In the
meantime provide him with a suitable al
lowance and the use of my house, and
do everything in your power to facilitate
hrs intercourse with the young lady in
question.
IF these terms are not accepted by my
nephew, please consider the estate free
gift from
''Ycar old friend,
Lucy Greenlee."
poor woman" said Sears, as he laid
the paper back on the lawyers desk.
You see what is expected of you. As
| an HOnDIdDle Uldu cdnnOL ClilHl t1lS SlIL
| before the time specified expires. For
the present will allow you 800 month.
| Will that do?"
~ don't see that / have anything to
say in the matter" replied Sears, grimly.
| He wanted to get out in the fresh air and
| think, but the hand of fate seemed to pin
him to his chair.
Il should also advise you to rent the
house, retaining suite of rooms in it for
your own use" -
THANK you. / will do so. Kindly at
| tend to the matter for me" replied Sears,
''and il you have no objections | would
| like TO be entered as a student in your Of
| fee"
"What?" exclaimed the lawyer, proba-
| bly, surprised for the second time in his
life: why, yes-certainly; but what rea-
| SON.
pardon me if I give no reason" iuter-
rupted the other.
You evidently propose to comply with
your aunt's conditions sir. All things
| considered, il is best that you should"
| MY aunt selected her legatee we'll -
said Gilbert, with an ill-cOncealed sneer.
rising from his chair. You will BE- re-
venged on Mrs. Keep"
| "Revenged on Mrs. Keep" repeated
| the elder man, in puzzled tone. ''Humph;
yes. And il l enter the lists against
| youT'
Il do not want a wife any other man
| can win. All the same, | shall play the
! game for what il is worth"
| Very well. We understand each
other"
/ "Pshaw, Mr. Bettson," exclaimed Sears,
hotly. Il don't see why two men should
be ready to fly mt each others throats sim