Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-05

to you to lose the use of the money l

nave Just put INTO your nanuS!
"My cheeks flushed; it was little
hard to see the prospect of so mucl,
wealth dissolve into nothing, with a
suddenness equal to its coming, but
my tone, l am sure, showed no real
regret as answered.
LIT is your wealth, and I have not
the shadow Of claim upon it, What.
ever you wish me to do with 1t l will
do: that you may rely upon
Even If it involves trouble and sac.
rificeT
"'Most decidedly
"'Ah, providence Is kind to send me
lust the man need in my extremity.
Receive my thanks, and forgive me
that I seemed to give you personally
what only meant to give you in trust
for another. Why l felt it necessary
TO do this YOU will understand when
tell you that my real heir is as yet a
person unknown-a person for whom l
have not time to seek and for whom
you yourself must look as soon as Op.
portunity Offers
"'But--'
~ will tell you exactly what she
must be. She must be young. beauti'
full, charming and good. She must be
a resident of New York. and she must
have for her name the simple one Of
Jenny Rogers. That is all l ask. When
| you find such girl, and have studied
! her character enough to know that she
will do me credit as my heir, then |
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.'
II stood aGhas,. What sort Of a
/ proposition was this Was not the
man in sound mind after all? Some
| girl. any girl. who bore a certain name
and fulfilled certain conditions. was
to reap the benefit of three million dol
lars, and | was to be the man to
choose this girl!
HE saw my perplcxity and shook
his head in seeming trouble.
"'You shrink from the task" he OK.
! claimed. You cannot understand why
impose upon YOU the burden of such
a responsibility. But whom shall l
ask to bear ii if not you? | have not a
friend: 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 | cried,
which is of Importance. You do not
care so much for her station in life,
though, Of course. this must be re-
spectacle
81 only care that she shall be lovely
TO look at. pure of soul and kindly in
spirit had rather she were not 9th.
crwisc favored by fortune. ! should
like to have her raised suddenly into
prosperity. If she is the girl l see III
my minds eye she will not be spoiled
by it.
But Jenny Rogers 1t is com.
mon name; shall run across a dozen
or more in 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.
give you year, Mr.. Degraw, and as
this understanding between us Is se
crct no one need ever know the reason
of your interest in these girls till you
see I'll to make the deed | request. Oh.
it is dream of mine! May hope 10
see it fuitilled|
Il felt like saying No. | felt like
tearing up the will he had just signed,
and so shirb a task that at this mo
mcnt seemed too bizarre for any quiet
mans performance. But the expres
sion OF his eyes stopped mo. 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.
81 will do what you wish. de-
cIarcd. i will visit New York. make
the acuuaintanCa of such girls as are
known 10 bear this name. and when |
have found one that in my Judgment
is worthy TO become the posseSsor OF
three million | will make your fortune
over - her Is that all YOU require:
"'Yes. yes. but three million"
"'rhat is the amount. ! am told
"a radiant delight ovorspread his pal.
lid c0untcnaEcc.
"Ah, it will make Il GTcen Of the
girl YOU choose. In my grave ! shall
feel her pleasure. Though | 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
name.
This look and the accompanying
gesture were a revelation.
1T is. then, for the sake Of Il Jenny
Rogers you once knew that you desire
this disposition of your money" l VEN
tured. anxious to learn If the cause
which influenced him to this action
was a natural one.
".Ycs. yes he cried oh. if my
strength would only last till | could
tell you of her gentle beauty, her heav'
erly pity, the sweetness of her locks
and the comfort of her words to me i'll
the days when | 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.