Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-11-17

young man nAd dropped INTO
chair in the Office of Grant & Ripley
the next day. Montgomery wore
slightly bored expression, and it was
evident that he took little interest In
the will of James Il. Scdgwick From
far back in the recesSes of memory he
now recalled this long lost brother Of
his mother. AS very small child he
had seen his Uncle James upon the few
occasions which brought him to the
home of Mr.. 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. 1t was of her that he was thinking
when he walked into the office Of
Swearengen Jones lawyers.
The truth is, Mr.. Grant. I'd com
pletely forgotten the existence of an
uncle" he responded.
at is not surprising" said Mr. Grant
genally. Every one who know him in
New York nineteen years ago believed
him to be dead He left the city whca
you were Il very small lad, going to
Australia. l think He was off to seek
his fortune, and he needed II pretty
badly when he started out. This let
ter from Mr.. Jones comes like mes
sage from the dead. Were it not that
we have known Mr.. Jones for Il long
time, handling affairs of considerable
Importance for him, / should feel in
clined to doubt the whole story 1t
seems that your uncle turned up in
Montana about fifteen years ago and
there formed n 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,
Sept. "a, and it was quite natural that
Mr.. Jones should he named as his exec
utor. That is how we became interest
ed in the matter, Mr.. Brewster
81 see" said Montgomery. somewhat
puzzled. But why do you say that
am both fortunate and unfortunateY
THE situation is so remarkable that
you'll consider that mild way Of put
ting it when you've heard everything.
/ think you were told in our note Of
yesterday that you are the sole heir
Well, it may surprise you TO learn that
James Sedgwick died possessed of i'm
estate valued at almost $1,000 900"
Montgomery Brewster sat like one
petrilied, 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 qucs
ton as 10 their value. Mr.. Jones IN
his letter to us briefly outlines the his
tory of James Sedgwick from the time
he landed in Montana. He reached
there in 1885 from Australia, and he
was worth 100000 or $4,000 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 to
gold He was shrewd, careful and
thrifty, and his money was handled
with all the skill of n Wall street finan-
cier. At the time of his death in Port
land he did not owe dollar in the
world. His property is absolutely IN
incumbered-safe and sound as gov
eminent bond. It's rather Oyerwhelm-
ing, isn't it?' the lawyer concluded,
taking note of/brewster's expression.
And he-he left everything to me?"
"With proyisO."
"Ah"'
Il have II copy OF the will. Mr.. Rip
ley and l are the only persons in New
York who mt present know Its contents.
You, am sure, after hearing it, will
not divulge them without the most
careful deliberation.'
Mr.. Grant drew the document from
a pigeonhole in his desk, adjusted his
glasses and prepared to read. Then,
as though struck by sudden thought.
he laid the paper down and turned
once more TO Brewster.
1T 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 pc