Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-08-25
An Alien
Heir

copyrIshl I0os. br =. A. 900

AA AHAAkNAAAnAAN AA NNnAANNN WIN MAH
cherries lodgings in Paris. At last lie
had one little spot within four walls
that he could call his own.
As he stretched his legs comfortably
10 the blaze he was still tingling with
the thrill OF Gmazcment he had felt
when Informed by the village Lawyer
during their brief interview that after
noon that he was Robert Chilton's heir.
''The estate consists Of this old house.
which has been in the Chiffon family
for a hundred years. and $4,000 IN
stocks and bonds" Mr.. blackstone had
said.
"And It's mine, really mine, to do
what / please withT' Dick asked eager
".
Nobody can dispute your legal right
to It." was the still response. "Chllton
hold. The Justice OF the bequcst is
quite another thing"
Although three hours had gone by
since then, Dick still almost doubted
his great fortune. How often he had
gone with empty pockets and nothing
to catl
One blissful thought made his heart
leap. He could marry Alice Dalel
They had waited two years because of
their poverty. There was now no occa-
sion for delay.
The wind whlstlcd around the house,
driving great gusts of snow against
the windows. Dick laughed at its fu-
tile rage and stirred the FIRE afrcsh.
In fancy he saw Alice sitting on the
other side Of the hearth, one pretty
pink cheek in her palm. How gra-
clously she would rule over the house!
lie would hasten to her the first thing
on the morrow with the wonderful
news.
The doorbell rang. Mr.. Robbins, the
gray haired minister who had ohiciated
at Robert Chilton's funeral that day,
wns ushered In. Shaking the snow
from his great coat, he sat down heav-
lily before the fire, his face wearing a
stern expression.
"Nir. Vance, how long had you
known the deccased2' he abruptly in
quired.
about six months, sir"
"You met abroadT'
Yes, sir-in Paris. Mr.. Chiffon fell
seriously III at one Of the hotels. He
was alone, and 1 tool care of him. lie
was pleased to think that my nursing
saved his life"
you Travelled with him afterward?'
Il did. 1 was n poor medical stu
dent. / had Just taken my degree.
could act as courier and also keel
careful watch over his bodily health
Dick smiled pleasantly, but the cler
gyman's face grew harder than before.
"Dld he ever speak to you Of his
familyY"
"Only once-just before he died. lie
said they had betrayed, forsaken him;
that he was worse than alone in the
world. Tie made me promise to bury
him from his old home, never init
mating that 1 was to be his heir. That
came rs n complete surprise. Oh. sir"
Dick edded, with klndllng eyes, "thls
legacy mean everything to me-suc-
cess, happiness, a prosperous career"
Looking at the young man Owe his
spectacles, Mr.. Robbins said grayely:
''Then you are not aware that Mr..
Chiffon left a daughter and a grand
child?"
Dick turned pale, and all at once
there was a curious pounding in his
ears.
"No! 1t simply can't be! lie would
have told me-
at seems that he did not. His daugh,
ter married against his wishes and he
never forgave her. She is now a widow,
a confirmed invalid, and very poor.
Her child. a girl Of twenty, is working
beyond her strength for the bare ne
cessitles OF life. l sent word TO them,
but It appears they did not receive it in
TING to come"
There was a silence which neither OF
the two seemed disposed to break,
Dicks forehead glistened with perspi-
ration. He swept u shaking hand
across II.
"Of course l understand why you tell
me this" he cried huskily. you think
I have no right TO the property and
should give 1t up"
The old minister frowned. and was
silent, Dick glanced lingerlngly around
the room.
81 won't do itg' he cried, with half
angry vehemence. III Mr.. Chiffon had
wanted his daughter to have it, he
would have left It 10 her. It's mine
mine! l intend TO keep it,"
Mr.. Robbins rose and picked up his
hat from the table.
Il regret exceedingly your decision"
ne said coldly. Frankly. I'm dlsap-
pointed In you. Good night sir" And
he walked out OF the room.
Dick sat for n long time gazing into
the fire. Ills cheeks were flushed. The
discarded daughter was nothing to
him. He would be a fool TO abdicate
in her favor. No doubt she deserved
all that had befallen her, and even
worse.
Presently his thoughts turned to Al
ice. She had forbidden him to write TO
her. He should DO free. she had said,
since they would be unable 10 marry
for years, II ever. Not n line had pass
ed between them for months. But he
felt no misgiylnEB. She loved him; she
would remain true.
~TI0w 1 wish IL troro utorufnO that I