Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-02
A Lost Fortune By J. M. scANLA
Copyright. 1904, by Daily Story Pub. O.,

nN RS. SARAH WILLY was a shrewd IW matchmaker She had brought about a marriage between her eldest daughter, Emma, and John Montgom- cry, a talented young editor of New Or leans, and now she was looking for an eligible husband for Mary, the youngest and prettiest of her daughters.
 Mary had just returned from two years stay in Paris, where she had taken lessons in French, music and de- pertinent, and was pronounced "hnishedY like most others who return with su- pericial education. Society in the vil- iage of Monticello was in flutter-the young ladies were curious to see their former village schoolmate, and their mothers were envious of Mary's Parisian trip.
 The Wylys had been poor, but now were the wealthiest in the Bayou Macon neigh borhood. Sam Wyly had been an ioverseer on the Scarborough plantation, and upon the death of the owner. Will liam Scarborough, he was intrusted with its management. Mrs. Scarborough. old and feeble, had implicit confidence in the overseer, who had served them so many years, and intrusted everything to his management. However, debts accumulated, and 1t became necessary to sell some of the negroes to pay for supplies. Cotton crops failed and, final ly, when the aged Widow Scarborough died, the plantation passed into the pos- session of Sam Wy1y, who built upon the site of the old frame house amagnidcent two-story structure According to the papers filed by Wyly, Mrs. Scarborough bequeathed the plantation and negroes to him, in consideration of affection, and for services rendered" after the payment of the just debts.
 The people of the Bayou Macon settle ment talked great deal about the sud- den wealth of the Wyly's. Squire Willis was of the opinion that as the cotton crops had been large for the past several seasons, he could not see how 1t became necessary to sell "niggers" to buy sup plies.
 It was also remembered that when William Scarborough sold his crop of cotton in Vicksburg and suddenly died there with the yellow fever, there was some talk about what became of the money? They could not recollect "for sure" whether Wyly was with him on that visit, or not.
 "We shall give Mary reception next Wednesday night" said Mrs. Wyly to her husband, few days after the return of their daughter.
 .s'Yes, Mary should meet her old friends, and we must show the people that we are not too proud to receive them! There's some talk in the neigh borhood about us!"
 @I care nothing about what these common people say!" replied Mrs. Wyly, with her nose elevated.
 "You men don't know anything! I want Mary to meet MT. John Lester. You know he is the best catch in this part of the state. Besides, he is hand some, good lawyer. and is related to the Johnsons and will inherit fortune from his uncle Hiram"
 Didn't you tell me that Lester and Miss Ellen Austen are engaged ?" Yes; they are-engaged; butt '.Wyly looked up from his paper and caught the significant glance of his scheming wife, and in contemplative tone asked:
 What do the neighbors say? Have
 the Austen children come back here to live, or are they only on visit to theil cousiAS-the Wade's?"
 "Octavia says they are here only fol
 the summer But if they do stay it will make no difference-with our affairs!' Each looked significantly at the other | both were thinking of the same thing Since the death of their parents they would inherit"
 Nonsense, SamuelL The will of Mrs Scarborough cuts off their parents, ant now how can these children inherit thei grandaunt's. plantation?"
 "Yes; the will! The will throws then all out! And, besides, the Austen chii- ] dren have no money to fight the case, l If they should bring suit 1 These children don't know anything about the estate, only what we have told them-that it was insolvent. And they l have examined the will"
 1 Maybe Lester has told Ellen some thing. The neighbors have talked g
 great deal, and he may have heaCd ita