Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-08-31
An Alien
Heir
BY FRANCIS A. COREY


Throwing ii fresh stick on the fire,
Dick Vance gazed approvingly about
him. The room which the dancing
flames lighted up had n coy. homelike
air delight lily in contrast with his
cheerless lodgings in Paris. At last he
had one Little spot within four walls
that he could call his own.
AS he stretched his legs comfortably
TO the blaze he was still tingling with
the thrill of amazemcnt 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 ia
stocks and bonds" Mr. Blackstone had
said.
And it's mine, really mine, to do
what please with?" Dick asked eager
ly.
Nobody can dispute your legal right
to it." was the stiff response. "Chilton
took care to make will that would
hold. The justice of the bequest 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 eat.
| One blissful thought made his heart
leap. He could marry Alice Dale!
They had waited two years because of
their poverty There was now no occa-
!, sion for delay.
The wind whistled around the house.
driving great gusts of snow against
the windows. Dick laughed at its fu-
tile rage and stirred the fire afresh.
In fancy he saw Alice sitting on the
J other side of the hearth one pretty
pink check in her palm. How gra-
ciously she would rule over the house.
He would hasten to her the first thing
on the morrow with the wonderful
news.
The doorhel rang. Mr.. Robbins, the
gray haired minister who had ofliciated
at Robert Chiltons funeral that day,
was ushered in Shaking the snow
from his great coat. he sat down heav
lily before the fire, his face wearing a
stern expression.
"Mr Vance. how long had you
known the deceased?" he abruptly in
quired
"About six months, sir
you met abroad?"
Eyes. sir-in Paris Mr.. Chiffon fell
seriously i'll mt one Of the hotels. lie
was alone, and took care of him. He
was pleased to think that my nursing
' saved his life
You travelled with him afterwards"
, II did. | was poor medical stu
dent | had Just taken my degree.
could act as courier and also keep
careful watch over his bodily health"
Dick smiled pleasantly, but the cler-
gyman's face grew harder than before.
"Did he ever speak to you of his
family
"Only once-just before he died. He
said they had betrayed, forsaken him:
that he was worse Than alone in the
world He made me promise to bury
him from his old home, never init
mating that was to be bis heir. That
came as complete surprise. oh, sir"
Dick added with kindlng eyes, "this
legacy means everything to me--suc-
cess, happiness. prosperous career"
Looking ut the young man over his
spectacles. Mr.. Robbins said gravely:
"Then YOU are not aware that Mr..
Chiffon left a daughter and Il grand
chld?"
Dick turned pale, and all at once
there was "A curious pounding in his
ears.
"No. 1t simply can't be! He would
have told me-
1T seems that he did not His daugh.
ter married against his wishes and he
never forgave her. She is now widow,
confirmed invalid, and very poor.
Her child, Il girl Of twenty, is working
beyond her strength for the bare he.
cessitics of life ! sent word to them,
but ii appears they did not receive it in
time to come"
There was Il silence which neither of
the two seemed disposed TO break.
Dicks forehead glistened with perSpi-
ration lie swept a shaking hand
across It.
"Of course understand why you tell
me this" he cried huskily. You think
| have no right to the property and
should give it up"
The old minister frowned. and was
silent Dick glanced Iingeringly around
the room.
II won't do it, he cried. with half
angry yehemence. IF Mr. Chiffon had
} wanted his daughter to have It. he
would nave left II to her. It's mine
mine, | intend to keep lt,'
Mr., Robbins rose and picked up his
hat from the table.
II regret exceedingly your decision,"
he S.sid aid'E. 'raaE!r, ~ aisap,
pointed IN you. cool night, sir" And
be walked out OF the room.
Dick sat for Il long time gazing into
the fire His cheeks were flushed The
discarded daughter was nothing to
him He would he fool to abdcate
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