Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-03

1 -Itis not surprising" said Mir. Grant genially. Every one who knew him iD New York nineteen years ago believed him to be dead. He left the city when you were very small lad, going to Australia, I think. He was off to seek his fortune, and he needed 1t pretty badly when he started out. This let ter from MT. Jones comes like mes sage from the dead. Were it not that we have known MT. Jones for Ong time, handling affairs of considerable | importance for him, I should feel fn- cllned to doubt the whole story. 1t seems that your uncle turned up in Montana about fifteen years ago and there formed stanch friendship with old Swearengen Jones, one of the rich est men in the far west. Sedgwick's will was signed on the day of his death. Sept. 24, and it was quite natural that MT. Jones should be named as his exec utor That is how we became interest ed in the matter, MT. Brewster"
 q see," said Montgomery, somewhat puzzled. But why do you say that l am both fortunate and unfortunateT
 "The situation is so remarkable that you'll consider that mild way of put ting it when you've heard everything. think you were told in our note of yesterday that you are the sole heir. We'll, it may surprise you to learn that James Sedgwick died possessed of an estate valued at almost $7,000,000."
 Montgomery Brewster sat like one petrified, staring blankly at the old lawyer, who could say startling things in level voice.
 He owned gold mines and ranches in the northwest, and there is no ques- ton as to their value. Mir. Jones in s his letter to us briefly outlines the his tory of James Sedgwick from the time be landed in Montana. He reached there in 1885 from Australia, and he was worth S30OO0 or $40,O00 at the time. Within five years he was the owner of huge ranch, and scarcely had another five years passed before he was part owner of three rich gold mines. Possessions accumulated rap idly; everything he touched turned to gold. He was shrewd, careful and thrifty, and his money was handled with all the skill of Wall street f1nan- cier. At the time of his death in Port land he did not owe dollar in the world. His property is absolutely un- : Incumbered- and sound as gov- ernment bond. It's rather overwhelm- , ing, isn't it?' the lawyer concluded, taking note of Brewsters expression.
 And he--he left everything to meT'
 with proviso."q
 "Ahw
 q have a copy of the will. Mir. Rip ley and are the only persons in New York who at present know its contents. You, I am sure, after hearing 1t, will not dlvulge them without the most careful deliberatlon."
 Mir. Grant drew the document from . pigeonlIole in his desk, adjusted his glasses and prepared to read. Then as though struck, by q sudden thought be laid the paper down and turned once more to Brewster.
 Tt seems that Sedgwick never mar ried. Your mother was his sister and his only known relative of close con nection. He was man of most pc culiar temperament. but in full posses. sion of his mental faculties. You may find this will to be strange document but think Mir. Jones. the executor explains any mystery that may be sug gested by its terms. While Sedgwick's I whereabouts were unknown to his old friends in New York, 1t seems that he was fully posted on all that was going on nere. He knew that you were the !, only child of your mother and therefore his only nephew. He sets forth the dates of your mothers marriage, Of your birth, of the death of Robert Brewster and of Mrs. Brewster. Hs also was aware of the fact that old Edwin Peter Brewster intended to be queath large fortune to you. and ' thereby lNngs tale. Sedgwick wal proud. When he lived in New York b, I, was regarded as the kind of man whC never forgave the person who touched 
 ! roughly upon his pride. You know. oi : course. that your father married MIs' Sedgwick In the face of the most bit ter opposition on the part of Edwin
 Brewster. The latter refused to recog
 nize her as his daughter. practically l. disowned his son and heaped the harsh f est kind of caIumny upon the Sedg 2 wicks It was commonly believed abou l. town that Jim Sedgwick left the coun y try three or four years after this mar e riage for the sole reason that he ana , Edwin Brewster could not live in th' h same place. So deep was bis hstres l. of the old man that be fed to escape l. killing him. It was known that upor !. one occasion he visited the ofice of hi ' sisters enemy for the purpose of slay
 ing him. but something prevented. III ,- sary1eo xIat hatred 10 the grave. al l. tou win see"
 . Montgomery Brewster was trying tc gather himself together from within ,- the fog which made himself and tbs world unreal
 T believe I'd like to have you read t this extraor-the will. Mir. Grant hs said. with an effort 10 hold his nerves ,- in leash.
 s Mir. Grant cleared his throat and he ,- gan in his still voice Once he looked up to find his listener eager. and again