The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-01-06

haveafor her name the simple one Of
Jenny Rogers. That is all ask. WheE
you find such a girl, and have studied
her character enough to know that she
will do me credit as my heir, then I
ask you to hand over to her, by deed
of gift, all the fortune which for so
many years has been without benefit
to man or woman
Il stood aghast. What sort OF q
proposition was this! Was not the
man in sound mind, after all? Some
girl, any girl, who bore certain name
and fulfilled. certain conditions, was
to reap the benefit of three million dol
lars, and I was to be the man to
choose this girl!
HE saw my perplexity and shook
his head in seeming trouble.
"'You shrink from the taskr he ex-
claimed. You cannot understand why
I impose upon you the burden Of such
responsibility. But whom shall I
ask to bear it If not you? I have not a
friend; I am dying, and my only hope
of peace lies in the thought that this
wealth, which has come so late, shall
adorn the life and elicit the gratitude
of some one bearing the name that is
so dear to me-
"'It is the name, then l cried,
which is Of importance. You do not
care so much for her station in life,
though, Of course, this must be It.
spectable.'
"I only care that she shall be lovely
to look at, pure Of soul and kindly in
spirit. had rather she were not 9TH
erwise favored by fortune. I should
like to have her raised suddenly into
prosperity. If she is the girl 1 see in
my minds eye, she will not be spoiled
by it,
but Jenny Rogers" 1t is COM
mon name; I shall run across a dozen
or more in a great city like New York.
"'You will know my heiress when
you see her; real worth always shows
in the face. Besides, you will have am
pie opportunity to choose among them.
I give you a year, Mr.. Degraw, and as
this understanding between us is Sc
cret no one need ever know the reason
of your interest in these girls till you
see fit to make the deedI request. Oh,
it is a dream Of mine! May / hope to
see it fulfilled?'
"I felt like saying Mo- felt like
tearing up the will he had just signed,
and so shirk O task that at this mo-
ment seemed too bizarre for any quiet
mans performance. But the express
sion of his eyes stopped me. / could
not refuse what was so dear to this
dying man. Though trouble and an
noyance must follow, resolved to
make the promise which would send
him out Of the world in peace.
"I will do what you wish I de.
clared. I will visit New York, make
the acquaintance Of such girls as are
known to bear this name, and when
have found one that in my judgment
is worthy to become the possessor of
three million I will make your fortune
over to her. Is that all you require?
ayes, yes, but three millionp
"That is the amount, I am told
"a radiant delight overspread his pal
lid countenance.
"'Ah, it will make queen Of the
girl you choose. In my grave l shall
feel her pleasure. Though I could not
do this for thee, sweet Jenny he ex-
claimed, lifting one arm to heaven with
an energy that surprised me, I can, at
least, do it for one who shall mirror
thy rare nature and bear thy beloved
namen
"This look and the accompanying
gesture were revelation.
"'It is, then. for the sake of q Jenny
Rogers you once knew that you desire
this disposition of your money? I ven
tured, anxious to learn if the cause
which Influenced him to this action
was a natural one.
"'Yes, yes,' he cried. 'Oh, If my
strength would only last till / could
tell you of her gentle beauty, her heav-
enly pity, the sweetness Of her looks
and the comfort Of her words to me in
the days when I was such an invalid
that / could not answer her back or
even smile when she handed: me in
flower at my broken window!
To be continued