The Somerset reporter., 1901-02-21


Miss Eleapors ''army Of martyrs" sew
eral of the intended claimants had
found themselves weakening in their
resolve. Those, for instance, who had
justified their claim solely on the
ground of an admiration felt, but never
expressed, saw their courage oozlng as
the ordeal approached. Others, who
were burning incense at new shrines,
seriously considered renouncing claim
that would decidedly compllcate their
present prospects.
1t was question whether pride or
profit would win the day. In the end,
however, the love of gold won.
When Mr.. Pratt entered the library
of Miss Stevens late residence at 10
o'clock on this eventful morning, he
found the room crowded with a body
of men clad In mourning garb and sol
EMMY waiting in various stages of un-
easiness for the approach of the long
expected moment.
AS the lawyer silently took his seat
behind baiZe covered table the trou.
bled faces grew vislbly more troubled
looking documents and laid them on
the table each countenance was stamp
ed with mingled emotions. eager ex-
pectancy in many cases being linked
with shame and avarice.
"Gentlemen," began the old lawyer
Il must trouble each of you to give me
in writing concise statement of the
IL
Ing your several offers and reflections,
In order that | may have documentary
proof that you are entitled to the lega-
8 left you by the terms of Miss
Stevens will"
DOCUMENTARY proofw
AT those unexpected words the emo
ton that marked the faces of the
strange assembly changed to unmis-
taxable concern. Was this some dis
agreeable joke? No. The old lawyer
waited with unmoved face for the full
fillment of his demand. There was a
momentary hesitation. Then, filing up
in due order, the applicants, one by
one. seated themselves at the table be-
fore the old attorney and wrote the
account demanded.
AS the last statement was signed the
portieres of the library were suddenly
drawn back and a tall, heavily yelled
figure advanced slowly into the middle
of the room. Then, as she raised her
hand and drew back the thick gauze
that masked her face a cry of terror
echoed through the house.
The woman was Eleanor Stevensl
wait" she commanded. Don't be
alarmed-l am no CHEST The Miss
Stevens who died year ago in the
Black forest was not the Miss Stevens
whose loss you are so deeply mourn
ing
by a stupid blunder of the peasants
with whom was staying an exchange
of names occurred between myself and
an invalid girl whom bad befriended,
so that when she died her death GER
tificate was issued under the name Of
Eleanor Stevens.
"Some weeks earlier had been In
fluenced by daily contact with one
whose life was fading rapidly away
to draw up my will in legal form and
to send 1t home to my lawyer.
when left so suddenly for the con-
tinent a year and half ago 1t was be-
cause of conversation overheard be-
tween several of my seeming admirers
which changed all my ideas of manly
chivalry in affairs of the heart, and
which drove me abroad. as ! supposed,
for ever.
at was that laundering exchange of
names that has given me the oppor-
tunity of meeting you under these In
teresting circumstances.
Now, gentlemen. my will. in which
you have shown so deep an interest,
stipulates that each of my rejected
suitors shall receive $4,000 after my
death. That bequest will be carried
out to the letter when am really dead.
I'm the meantime | would gladly
read your documentary proofs, but as
! have never in all my life rejected
but two suitors, and as one of these
died six months ago, and the other Is
not here today, | shall be obliged to re-
fer you to my lawyer"
And with a sweeping courtesy Miss
Stevens withdrew from the room.-Ex-
change.