Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-20


Nora wondered who could be writing
to her. She looked at the seal and
saw the names "Messrs. Clarke and
[ odfrey, Middle Temple Lane; solicit
tors, evidently. She opened the letter
with no little wonder, and what she
read so increased her amazement that
she first flushed, then paled, and sat
with the letter in her hands, staring
before her. The writer Mr.. Edward
Godfrey, explained that he had had
some difficulty in discovering her ad-
dress; that he was acting for her
fathers old friend, Major Marling
Mora remembered having heard of him
as a child; and that under Major Mar
ling's will she, Nora Margaret Leigh,
was entitled to considerable sum OF
money Would Miss Leigh call on
Tuesday morning at the office in Tenn
pie lane?
A considerable sum! Perhaps two
or three hundred pounds. How well
come that would be! But Nora fully
expected, as she took her way next
morning to Temple lane, to find there
was some mistake. Mr.. Godfrey re-
ceiVed her smilingly. There was GER
tainly no mistake. The will was per-
fectly clear. The capital which would
accrue to Nora after all legal charges
upon it would insure her, at fair per-
centage, an income of fully $500 per
annum.
Nora left that office almost con-
WINGED that she was dreaming, were
it not for the glowing thought of Ger
ard Estcourt. Why, she could do
everything for him now! She would
have thought hundred per year GER
tain wealth; she felt a millionaire with
eight times that amount.
AS she was returning to the office she
came suddenly face to face with DR..
Estcourt himself.
"You in Fleet street-at this time!
he said, as they shook hands. where
have you sprung from?"
From the Temple" she answered,
laughing, the glad blood dancing in her
veins Doctor, congratulate mel am
a millionaire"
Are you? But has the lucky six
pence fulfilled its destiny"
1T really has. No, not a millionaire,
but it seems like it to me- and she
briefly told him.
Indeed" he said, earnestly, Il do
congratulate you with all my heart.
You have my very best wishes. l must
hurry off now-I am on my way to a
patient"
He shook hands again, and lifting his
hat, walked on rapidly. Nora moved
forward mechanically; an odd chill mad
fallen upon her. DR.. Estcourt did not
seem in such a hurry when they first
met, and obviously sincere though his
congratulations were, there was some-
thing in tone and manner that showed
pain under the pleasure. And after
Christmas night surely he would have
sought an opportunity for fuller explain
alton; he must have felt that so much
was due 10 her.
She met him one morning, but she
was with a sister editor, and perhaps
he made that an excuse Tor only RAISING
his hat and passing with bow. But
Nora thought he looked very grave, al
most stern. What could she do? Could
she stoop from her womans place?
There seemed no other way. Yet the
girl shrank inevitably from taking that
step. But was there any alternatives
Would he speak first? After all, she
knew he loved her, and only her money
kept them apart. That night, Wnen
she went home, she wrote brlet note:
Dear Dr. Estcourt-Wil you call III
tomorrow evening, If you can, ana see
me? Yours sincerely,
MORA LEIGH"
She sealed it quickly. She would not
LET herself hesitate, but ran out at
once and posted the letter. The thing
was done now; there was no drawing
hack. He would think she meant a
professional call; anyhow, he would
have to come. But when the time APP
preached which might bring an answer
to her letter her heart throbbed IN hep
throat What would he think of her?
Hark! a knock; then a step on the
stair-his step. A knock at the door
She had grown suddenly calm.
"Come in!" she said, and Gerald Est
court entered, closing the door behind
him.
"You sent for me-" he said, as she
rose and gave him her hand. His eyes