New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1905-07-12
An Alien
Heir
By FRANCIS A. COREY
Copyright. 1905, by f. A. Corey

Throwing a fresh stick on the fire.
Dick Vance gazed approvingly about
him. The room which the dancing
flames lighted up had coy, homelike
air delightfully."- in contrast with his
cherries lodgings in Paris. At last he
had one little spot within four walls
that he could call his own.
AS he stretched his legs comfortably
to the blaze he was still tingling with
the thrill of amazement ~ had felt
when informed by the village Lawyer
| during their brief interview that after
noon that he was Robert ChiIton's heir.
.'The estate consists of this old house,
which has been in the Chiffon family
| for hundred years, and $4,000 in
stocks and bonds," Mr.. Blackstone had
said
"And it's mine, really mine, to do
what please with? ~ Dick asked eager
| ly.
Nobody can dispute your legal right
to 1t" was the stiff response. "Chilton
took care to make 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 eat!
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 flu
| 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 house!
| He would hasten to her the first thing
news
The doorbell rang. Mr.. Robbins, the
| gray haired minister who had offciated
! at Robert Chilton's funeral that day,
was ushered in. Shaking the snow
from his great coat, he sat down heav-
| 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 Ill 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 afterward ?"
II did. I was poor medical stu
dent. I had just taken my degree. I
| 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
family?"
| only once-just before he died. He
said they had betrayed, forsaken him !;
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
|
| Dick added. with kindling eyes, "this
| legacy means everything to me-suc-
cess, happiness, a prosperous career"
Looking at the young man over his
spectacles. Mr.. Robbins said gravely:
"Then you are not aware that Mr..
Chiffon left a daughter and grand
child?"
Dick turned pale, and all at once
there was a curious pounding in his
ears. $685.
s''No! 1t simply can't be! He would
have told me-
ut seems that he did not His daugh-
ter married against his wishes and he
never forgave her. She is now a widow,
confirmed invalid, and very poor.
+, Her child, a girl Of twenty, is working
beyond her strength for the bare ne.
cessities of life. l sent word to them,
| but it appears they did not receive it in
time to come"
There was silence which neither of
the two seemed disposed to break.
Dicks forehead glistened with perspi-
| ration. He swept a shaking hand
across it.
"Of course l understand why you tell
me this" he cried huskily. You think
have no right to the property and
should give it up"
The old minister frowned, and was
| silent. Dick glanced lingeringly around
the room.
81 won't do itr' he cried, with half
angry vehemence. eff Mr. Chiffon had
wanted his daughter to have it, he
would have left it to her. It's mine
mine! intend to keep itp'
Mr.. Robbins rose and picked up his
| hat from the table.
81 regret exceedingly your decision, y
he said coldly. Frankly, I'm disap-
/ pointed in you. Good night, SIR And
he walked out Of the room.
Dick sat for long time gazing into
the fire. His cheeks were flushed The
| discarded daughter was nothing to
him. He would be fool to abdicate
in her favor. No doubt she deserved
all that had befallen her, and even