Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-08-16
An Alien
Heir
Copyright, 1905, by F. A. Corey
BY FRANCIS A. COREY

4uIOWiuB lIc0u SllCh VI TIC III z
Dick Vance gazed approvingly abou
him. The room which the dancing
flames lighted up had a coy, homelik'
air delightfully."- In contrast with BIZ
cherries lodgings In Paris. At last b.
had one little spot within four WALL
that he could call his own.
AS he stretched his legs comfortably
to the blaze he was still tingling witt
the thrill of amazement he had fell
when informed by the village Lawyer
during their brief Interview that after
noon that he was Robert Chilton's heir
1.-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 dc
what please with?" Dick asked eager
ly
Nobody can dispute your legal right
to It" was the stiff response. "Chilton
took care to make a 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 eatl
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
other side of the hearth, one pretty
pink cheek in her palm. How gra-
ciously she would rule over the housed
He 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 oficiated
at Robert Chilton's funeral that day,
was ushered in. Shaking the snow
from his great coat, he sat down beav-
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 at one Of the hotels. He
was alone, and took care Of him. He
was pleased to think that my nursing
saved his life"
"You travelled with him afterwardT
II did. l was poor medical stu
dent l 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
tamilyT
"Only once-just before he died. He
said they had betrayed. forsaken himj
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 his heir. That
came as complete surprise. oh, SIR"
Dick added, with kindllng eyes, this
legacy means everything to me-suc-
,ess, happiness, a prosperous career
Looking at the young man over his
Ipectacles. Mr.. Robbins said gravely;
"Then you are not aware that Mr..
yhilton left a daughter and a grand
.hild2"
Dick turned pale, and adj at once
here was curious pounding ip bis
,ars.
mo! 1t simply can't be! He would
AVE told me-
at seems that he did not. His daugh.
er married against his wishes and he
leyer forgave her. She is now widow,
confirmed invalid, and very poor.
Her child, 3 girl Of twenty, is working
,eyond her strength for the bare ne
essities of life. sent word to them,
,ut it appears they did not receive it in
ime to come"
There was a silence which neither OF |
he two seemed disposed to break.
Dicks forehead glistened with perspi-
alton. He swept q shaking hand
Icross It,
"Of course understand why you tell
ne this" he cried huskily. you think
have no right to the property and
hould give it up"
The old minister frOwned, and was
ilent. Dick glanced lingeringly around
he room.
II won't do it, he cried, with half
ngTy yebepepce. IF Mr.. Chiffon had
wanted bis daughter to have 1t, he
you'd have left It TO her. its mine
nine! l intend to keep it~
Mr.. Robbins rose and picked up his
at from the table.
81 regret exceedingly your deilsion,"
Q said ~cOldly. Frankly, I'm disap.
ointed IN you. Good night, sir" And
G walked out Of the room.
Dick sat for a long time gazing into
he fire. His cheeks were flushed. The
bearded daughter was nothing to
Inn. He would be a fooi TO abdicate
! her favor. No doubt she ,deseFPRd
Il that had befallen her, and even
'orse.
Presently his thoughts turned to Al
,e. She had forbidden him to write to
err. He should be free, she had said,
nee they would be unable to marry
Or years, If ever. Not line had pass
between them for months. But he
cit no misgivings. She loved him. she
vould remaip true.
How wish 1t were morning that I
light 60 to her." ne said aloud.
He smiled, and yet a heayineSs lay