The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-21
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily instaments on this page
The House of a.
Thousand Candles
MEREDITH NICHOLSON


ishment for having succeeded so sig
nally In mourning my grandfathers
displeasure that he had made IL. nec-
essary for me TO treat with Arthur
Pickering In this matter Of the Will;
and Pickering was enjoying the situa-
ton TO the full He sank back In his
chair with an air OF complacency that
had always been insufferable in him.
| was quite willing TO be patronized by
man of years and experience; but
Pickering was my own age, and his
experience of life seemed 10 me pre-
posteriously inadequate
To find him settled IN New York. where
he had been established through my
grandfather's generosity. and the execu-
tor Of my grandfathers estate was hard
TO bear
But there was something not wholly
honest in my mrth, for my conduct
during the three preceding years had been
reprehensible. had used my grandfather
shabbily. My parents died when / was
child, and he had cared for me as far
back as my memory ran. ii md suffered
me TO spend without restraint the fortune
left by my father, he had expected much
OF me- and had grievously disappointed
him. IL was his hope that should devote
myself TO architecture, a profession for
which he had the greatest admiration,
whereas l had insisted on engineering.
l am not writing an apology for my
life, and shall not attempt to extenuate
my conduct in going abroad at The end
Of my course at Tech and, when
made Laurance Donovans ac-
quaintance. In setting of with
him on career of adventure. l
do NOT regret. though possibly IL wouId
be more to my credit II did, the
months spent leisurely following the Ian
ube east OF the Iron Gate-T.lurance Don
ovan always with me, while we urged
the villagers and inn -loafers TO all man
ner OF sedition, acquittingg ourselves so
well that when we came out into the
Black Sea for further pleasure, Russia did
us the honor 10 keep spy at our heels
should like, for my own satisfaction, at
least, TO set down an ac)unt OF certain
affairs in which we were concerned at
Belgrad. but without Larry's consent /
am not at liberty TO do so. Nor shall l
take time here TO describe our travels In
Africa though our study OF the Atlas
mountain dwarfs won US honorable men
ton by the British chronological society.
These were my yesterdays. today ] sat
In Arthur Pickering's office In the tower
ing Alexis building. conscious Of the muf-
fled roar OF Broadway. discussing the
terms OF my Grandfather Glenarm's VIII
with a man whom l dLsliked as heartily
as IL Is Sale Tor one man 10 uiSilN' az
other Pickering had asked me question
and | was suddenly aware that MS eyes
were fixed upon me and that he awaited
my answer.
what do I think of it2' / repeated. II
don't know that IL makes any difference
what think. but I'll tell you, Il you want
to know that / call IL infamous, outra-
geous. that a man should leave a ridicu-
lous will of that sort behind him. All the
old money-bags who pile up fortunes mag
| Nifty the Importance of their money They
imagine that every Kindness, every ordi-
nary courtesy shown them. Is merely
bid for a slice of the cake. In, disap-
pointed in my grandfather. lie was a splen-
did old man, though God knows he mad
his queer ways. I'll bet a thousand dol
lars, II / have so much money In the
world, that this scheme Is yours picker
ing. and not his. II smacks of your an
cient vindicativeness, and John Marshall
Glenarm had none of that IN his blood.
That stipulation about my residence out
there Is fantastic. don't have TO be a
lawyer TO know that and no doubt 1
could break the will; I've good notion
10 try II. anyhow"
"To be sure. You can tie up the estate
for half dozen years n you like" he
replied coolly. He did not look upon roe
as likely TO become formidable litigant
My staying qualities had been proved
weak long ago, as Pickering knew well
enough.
"No doubt you would like that" I an
swered. But I'm not going TO give you
the pleasure. I abide by the terms Of the
will My grandfather was a fpe old gen
tleman. shan't drag his name through
the courts-not even 20 please yoG, Ar
thur Pickering" l declared notly.
The sentiment is worthy " good
man. Gienarm," he rejoned.
But this woman who is 10 succeed to
my rights.-I don't seem TO. remember
her"
lit IL not surprising that you never
heard Of her."
"Then she's not connection OF the
family.--no long lost cousin whom ought
TO rememberY"
(To be continued tomorrow)