The Somerset reporter., 1905-08-03
An Alien
Heir
By FRANCIS A. COREY


I'LL. Inc room winch tue 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 lie was still tingling with
the thrill of amuzement he had felt
when informed by the village Lawyer
during their brief interview that after
noon that he was Robert Chiton's heir.
1.-The estate consists of this old house.
which has been in the Chiffon family
for a hundred years, and 10000 in
stocks and bonds" Mr.. Blackstone had
said.
And it's mine, really mine to do
what please withf" 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 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
on the morrow with the wonderful
news
The doorbel rang. Mr.. Robbins, the
gray haired minister who had officiated
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
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 afterward?'
81 did. | was poor medical stu
dent had just taken my degree. l
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
came as II complete surprise. Oh, sir"
Dick added, with kindllng eyes, this
legacy means everything to me-suc-
cess, happiness, n prosperous career
Looking at the young man over his
spectacles, Mr.. Robbins said gravely:
"Then you are not aware that Mr..
Chiffon left Il daughter and Il grand
child1"
Dick turned pale, and all at once
there was "A curious pounding in his
ears.
"No. 1t simply can't be! He would
have told me-
at seems that he did not. His daugh-
ter married against his wishes and he
never fOrgave her. She is now Il widow,
confirmed invalid, and very poor
Her child, Il 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 1t 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.
Il won't do it, he cried, with half
angry vehemcuce IF Mr.. Chiffon had
wanted his daughter to have it, he
would have left it to her It's mine
mine! l intend to keep it,
Mr.. Robbins rose and picked up his
hat from the table.
II regret exceedingly your decision"
he said coldly. "Frankly, I'm disap-
pointed in you. Good night, sir" And
he walked out of the room.
Dick sat for ii long time gazing into
the fire. His checks were flushed. The
discarded daughter was nothing to
him. He would ne fool to abdicate
in her favor No doubt she deserved
all that had befallcn her and even
worse
Presently his thoughts turned to Al
Ice. She had forbidden him to write to
her. He should be free, she had said,
since they would he unable to marry
for years, If ever. Not Il line had pass
ed between them for months. But he
felt no misgivings. She loved him; she
would remain true