The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-07


apprentices. Julian Lorraine had at
least given me the means to start fairly
in life. Yes. he had been my bene-
factor
My grief, If not as deep as It should
have been, was really sincere. It was
some time before / began to reflect as
to the immediate consequences his
death would bring to myself had
money in hand, fos~ the allowance
made me by Mr.. Lorraine had always
been an ample one-so large, indeed.
that when the truth of my birth was
known to me. had asked him to re-
duce it. The right presumed to claim
fell far short Of this. Mr.. Lorraine told
me scornfully not to bother him about
money matters; so / had been unable to
follow out the plan which / had laid
down, of taking from him only sufiici-
ent for my needs. Nevertheless. | had
not spent the surplus and It would now
serve me In completing my education.
From him i expected nothing Who
were his heirs, or to whom his wealth
would be left, were matters about which
| troubled little. Now, that Julian
Lorraine was dead. could with a full
heart thank him for all he had done
for me- Then / could resign his name,
and force my own way in the world.
His solicitor came down and gave in
structions concerning the funeral. He
did this at my request. Knowing that
shortly ! would be an alien in the
house, ! would assume 10 response
bility. The only order ! gave was
that everything should be done quiet
ly and simply I knew the dead mans
ideas about conventional obseQuies.
The funeral over we looked for the
will. / would not have a paper moved
until then. We soon found it.
Not that It makes much difference.
/ suspect" said the solicitor, you be-
ing his only SON
He was opening the envelope as he
spoke ! said nothing.
Shortest win / ever read" said the
solicitor; made by himself. too, but
all quite right and legal.
He handed the paper to me. ! read:
Il bequeath all my real and personal
estate to my adopted son Julian, COM
monty known as Julian Lorraine"
This, duly signed and witnessed,
was Mr.. Loraines will sunk on
chair. feeling dizzy and confused. Mr.
Lorraine dead was a greater puzzle to
me than Mr.. Lorraine living. BY few
words-dashed off. t might be, on the
spur Of the moment-he had left me
all his wealth. Was it rom affection.
sense of justice. cynicism, or what?
Il did not know you were an adopted
son. Mr.. Julian" said The lawyer in
tones of surprise.
Yes l said, collecting myself DO
you think shall be right in accepting
this bequest?'
why not?"
"Are there no close relatives? AL
though passed as his son. know 50
little about them.
Il suspect | know less. But / never
heard Mr.. Lorraine speak of any rela-
tives. His adoption Of you proves you
entitled to the money
/ sat in deep thought 1t was all so
strange. so sudden.
bye the bye. Mr. Julian" said the
solicitor, without wishing to intrude
my advice. should, If were in your
place, say nothing to let people know
was not Mr., Loraine's son. He evil
IDENTIFY wished 1t to be thought you
were. fancy that by saying nothing
you will best carry out his wishes
myself shall keep silence on the mat
tel"
| weighed his counsel, and at last
rightly or wrongly. decided to follow
it. No one could be harmed BY my con-
tinulng to pass as the dead mans SON
The fact OF his having left to me all
his wealth showed or, ! fancied it
showed. that he looked upon me as a
son: so / burned the story OF the ship
wreck In my own breast, and was still
Mr.. Lorraine Of Herstal Abbey
l stayed my time at Oxford; ! took
my degree. After this I went abroad
for many months. left Herstal Abbey
as / had no need of such large place.
When returned to England. led the
usual life. no better nor no worse, OF a
young man Of fortune.
Three years after the death Of Julian
Lorraine | fell in love-
fro ur cnxrtxuFpl