Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-28
[cowr1SuEp.l
CHAPTER ".

A young man had dropped into . chair in the office of Grant X Ripley the next day. Montgomery wore a slightly bored expression. and it was evident that he took little interest in the will of James T, Sedswick. From far back in the recesses of memory he now recalled this long lost brother of his mother. As a very small child he had seen his Uncle James upon the few occasions which brought him to the home of Mir and Mrs Robert Brewster. But the young man had dined with the Drews the night before and Barbara had had more charm for him than usu- al. It was of her that he was thinking when he walked into the office of Swearengen Jones' lawyers
 'The truth is. MT. Grant, I'd com pletely forgotten the existence of an uncle he responded.
 Tt is not surprising" said MT. Grant genially, Every one who knew him in 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 it pretty badly when he started out. This let ter from Mir. Jones comes like a mes sage from the dead Were it not that we have known MT Jones for a long time. handling affairs of considerable importance for him, I should feel in clined to doubt the whole story It seems that your uncle turned up in Montana about fifteen years ago and there formed a 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, MT. Jones should be named as his exec utor. That is how we became interest ed in the matter, Mir. Brewster"
 'I see," said Montgomery. somewhat puzzled. But why do you say that l am both fortunate and unforrInate?'
 ''The situation is so remarkable that you'll consider that a mild way of put ting it when you've heard everything. I 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 S1,000,0C0."
 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- tion as to their value. Mir. Jones in his letter to us briefly outlines the his tory of James Sedgwck from the time he landed in Montana. He reached there in 1885 from Australia. and he was worth S3O,000 or s4o.G00 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 10 gold. He was shrewd, careful and thrifty. and his money was handled with all the skill of Wall street finan- cier. At the time of his death in Port land he aid not owe a dollar In the world. His property is absolutely un- incumbered-safe and sound as gov ernment bond. It's rather overwhelm- ing. isn't it?' the lawyer concluded. taking note of Brewster's expression.
 And he-be left everything to me:'
 "with a proviso."
 An
 'T have a copy of the will. Mir. Rip ley and are the only persons in New York who at present know it's contents. You. l am sure. after hearing ii. will not dlvulge them without the most careful deiiberatiou."
 Mir. Grant drew the document from a pigeonhole in his desk. adjusted his glasses and prepared to read. Then. as though struck hy sudden thought. b. 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 pa cuiiar temperament hut tn full posses sion of his mental faculties You may find this will ro he a strange document. but ! think Mir Jones. tine executnr. explains any mystery that may be sug- gesied by it's terms While Sedgwick's whereabouts were unknown tn his old friends in New Work it seems that he was fully posted on all that was going on here. He knew that vc-I were the only child of your mother and therefore his oniy nephew. He sets forth the dates of vour mothers marriage. af Brewster and of Mrs. Brewster. He slse Tas auare Of the fact thst nid Edvin Peter Brewster intended to ba- questb a large fortune fa you. and thereby snS 2 tale Se5EEick was proud When he TiSad m New York he was regarded as the kind Of man who . never forgavp tte person vbo touehed ! roughly uDnn his pride. Ton know. 0f ecursa that your fatber married Miss sef@wick in tHe face If tlss most bit zsr opposition on the parr of EHufu B-eTSer- The 1atrer rsfusa-i to recoz- rizs her ss his dsughter- practically disoEnsi his son and hezped the hzrsh- e<s kERd 0f saf1rnay upon the Seig vieks- IL Ess commonly beiieVed about tezu that Jim Sstzwtck left tise cgua- try fhres or fer years after tnls mar risEe fer the sole reason thst he ard Ejwfn Brewster could rot live s- rhs