The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-09-14
An Alien
Heir
BY FRANCIS a. COREY


Throwing fresh stick on the fire.
Dick Vance gazed approyingly about
him. The room which the dancing
flames lighted up had a coy. homellke
air delightfully."- Ia contrast with his
cheerless lodgings In Paris. At last he
had one little spot within four walls
that hc could call his own.
As he stretched his legs comfortably
20 the blaze he was still tlngllng with
the thrill Of amazement he had felt
when Informed by the village Lawyer
during their brief Interview that after
noon that he was Robert Chliton's heir
"The estnte consists OF this old house
which has been IN the Chiffon family
for a hundred years. and $4,000 IN
stocks and bonds" MIR. Blackstone had
said.
"And It's mine. really mine, TO do
what please within Dick asked eager
~.
Nobody can dispute your legal right
90 H." was the stiff response. "Chllton
took care 20 make will that would
hold The Justice OF the bequest Is
quite another thing"
Although three hours had gone by
since then, Dick stlll almost doubted
his great fortune. How often be had
gone with empty pockets and nothing
60 eat
one bllssful thought made his heart
leap. lie could marry Alice Dalel
They had waited two years because OF
their poverty. There was now no occa-
slou for delay.
The wind whistled around the house.
driving great gusts OF snow against
the windows. Dick laughed AZ It's 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 ia her palm. How gra-
ci0usly she would rule over the house,
lie would hasten 10 her the FIRST thing
on the morrow with the wonderful
news.
The doorhcl rang Mr. Robbins the
gray haired minister who had ohiclated
at Robert Chiltons funeral that day.
was ushcred In. Shaking the snow
from his great coat. he sat down heav-
ny before the hrc. his face wearing
stern expression
"Mr Vance. how long had you
known the deceascdf7 be abruptly in
qulred
about six months. sir"
"Nou met abroadF
eyes slr-ln Paris. Mr. Chiffon fell
seriously IN at one OF the hotels lie
was alone. and took care Of him. he
was pleased 10 think that my nursing
saved his lifc"
"Yon travelled with him afterwardf"
II dld was poor medical stu
dent had just taken my degree
could act rs 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 10 you OF his
famllyr
"Only once Just before he died. He
said they had betrayed. forsaken him;
that De was worse than alone In the
world. lie made me promise 10 bury
him from his old home. never init
mating that was 10 he his heir That
came az a complete surprise oh, sir"
Dick added. with klndling eyes. ''this
legacy means everything 20 mc-suc-
cess. happiness n prosperous career"
Looking M the young man over his
spectaclcs. Mr. Robbins said graveiy:
'Thcn you are not aware that Mr..
Chiffon left a daughter and a grand
childT
Dick turned pale. and all at once
there was a curious pounding In his
ears
no! II simply can't bel He would
have told me-
1T seems that he did not. His daugh-
ter married against his wishes and he
never forgave her. she Is now a widow,
Y confirmed invalid. aud very poor.
Her child. a girl OF twenty. Is working
beyond her strength for the bare ne
ccssities OF life. sent word 20 them.
but IL appears they did not receive it IN
time 90 come"
There was a silence which neither OF
the two seemed disposed TO break.
Dicks forehead glistened with perspi-
ration. lie swept a shaking hand
across H.
"Of course understand why you tell
me this" he cried husxily you think
have no right TO the property and
should give Il up"
The old minister frowned. and was
silent Dick glanced lingcringly around
the room.
II won't do az" he cried. with half
angry vehemence. III Mr. Chiffon had
wanted his daughter TO have IT, he
would have left IL TO her. It's mine
minel | intend 20 keep itv'
Mr.. Robbins rose aud picked up his
hat from the table
Il regret exceedingly your decision"
he said coldly. Frankly. I'm dlsap-
pointed In you. Good night sir" And
he walked out OF the room.
Dick sat for a long time gazing into
the fire. His cheeks were flushed. The