The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-05-16
CHAPTER Nv,

The funeral was over. Mr.. DrummOnd,
as indeed his relationship permitted. was
one of the principal mourners. Consider
ing that he had not seen Mr.. Conrad for
five years preceding his death, nor during
that time communicated with him. in any
way, he appeared to be very much over
come by grief. He kept his eyes covered
with large white handkerchief, and his
movements indicated suppressed agitation.
He felt that this was q tribute due to a
cousin who had left over one hundred
thousand dollars. When they had return
ed from the grave he managed to have a
word with Walter.
Have you decided to accept my offer,
and make your home beneath my humble
roofY' he asked.
There has been no time to consult with
my friends here, Mr.. Drummond. I will
let you know next week. thank you at
any rate for your Kindness"
do come, Walter" said his cousin,
twisting his mean features into an affec-
tionate smile. with you beneath my
humble roof, shall want nothing to COM
plete my happiness"
Jacob Drummond went back to Staple
ton ignorant of the state of Mr.. Conrad's
affairs and regarding Walter as boy Of
great wealth.
When the will was opened it was found
to bear date two years back, before Mr..
Conrad had plunged into the speculation
which had proved SO disastrous to him.
He bequeathed all the property which he
did possess to Walter, with the exception
of Eve hundred dollars, which were left
as legacy to his faithful housekeeper,
Nancy Forbes. At the time Che will was
made, its provisions made Walter heir to
large fortune. Now it was quite uncer-
tain how things would turn out. Clement
Shaw, the village lawyer, an honest and
upright man, was made executor, being an
old and tried friend of the deceased.
With his Walter had long and conf
Dental conversation, imparting to him
what he knew of his fathers mining spec
ulation and its disastrous result, with its
probable effect in accelerating his death.
II knew something of this before, Wal
ter" said Mr.. Shaw. "Your father spoke
to me of being largely interested In the
Great Metropolitan Mining Company;
but of the company itself and the extent
to which he was involved knew noth-
ing"
II think my father must have been
very seriously involved" said WALTERS. ut
may, perhaps, swallow up the whole prop
erty."
"Let Us hope not. Indeed, / can hardly
believe that your father would have ven
tured In 30 deep as that
HE had every confidence in the COM
pany; he thought he was going to double
his money. If only part of his property
was threatened, I don't think it would
have had such an effect upon him."
II viii. thoroughly examine into the at
fair" said Mr. Shaw. Meanwhile, Wal
ter, hope for the best! 1t. can hardly be
that the whole property is lost Do not
be too anxioas."
do not fear for me on that account"
said Walter. II always looked forward
to being rich, it is true, but for all that
can bear poverty. If the worst comes,
and am penniless, am strong, and can
work. I can get along as well as thou
sands of other boys, who have to support
themselves"
Walter did not speak boastfully by any
means, bnt in calm, confident way. that
argued consciousness of power. Z
EYES," said the lawyer, regarding him
attentively, Il think you are right there.
You are just the boy who can make hin
own way: but ! hope you win not be
obliged to do 20"