Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-14

| Il told him, madam, that you were
casting about for an heir. He remark
ed, rather fiippantly, that If such was
the case, you had better pass him by
| "Ah!"
Really he Is a somewhat extraordi-
nary young fellow. He said-ahem!-
that he had managed to exist for more
than twenty years without the assist
ance of the people who had disowned
his mother, and it was quite probable
that he might continue to do so for
the future! You can tell my aunt
he said, that 1 don't care a rap for
the Ellicott fortune!' Misguided young
mani"
Mrs Ellicott shrugged her shoulders.
"Ah!" she said again.
Madam" continued the lawyer,
when we were talking upon this sub
ject, two days ago, you mentioned
some other party-a young female, liv-
ing in another state, whose right to
the Ellicott fortune seemed about
equal to that of Nigel Hume
You mean Elizabeth Hillyer," in
terrupted Mrs. Ellicott, sharply, the
daughter of my late husbands niece.
Yes. the Ellicott family is now extinct
save for her, and she, like young Hume,
is altogether unknown to me. Steph-
ems, 1 have carefully weighed the rival
claims Of these two strangers In my
own mind, and decided that the son Of
nv sister shall have the first chance
give him the preference. 1t Is not
strange that he should feel little hard
toward his maternal relatives-that he
should receive my advances ungracious-
ly. He will grow wiser with time. A
hanger-on at 8. MISUNDERSTANDING to
make his own way-this is, starving
and studying together! We all know
the straits to which poor medical STU
dents are reduced. And he thinks l
had better pass him by in my search
for an heir? Humph! I like the boys
spirit. Is he good-looking, Stephens?
Is he in the least like-like my dead
SON."
Not at all like Mr.. Lepel, I should
say, madam"
She heard her lost idols name with
composure. The dreadful event OF his
death had left her bowed, indeed, but
not broken. She laid one hand i'm
pressively on the lawyers arm.
stephens, I mean to make Nigel
Hume my heir, and marry him to Edith
Fassel!"
Stephens fairly jumped.
my dear Mrs. Ellicott!"
What is there in the plan to startle
you?" she cried Cannot you grasp
my meaning? This boy shall take
Lepers place-he shall inherit Lepers
fortune, and atone for Lepers dishon-
or!"
Stephens looked preternaturally
grave.
"Ahem! Where is Miss Fassel at the
present time?"
"At Windmere. She went abroad
Immediately after my sons death-yes-
terday she arrived home on the
Scythia."
Pardon me-does she know Of your
intentions regarding her.?
Certainly mott" sharply. Stephens,
I am impatient to see this Nigel Hume
send him to me at once"
Madam, 1 will inform him that you
desire an interview" said Stephens
rising to go, but you need not be dis
appointed if he fails to appear"
A dash Of red in her thin cheek pro-
claimed her rising anger.
What! are fortunes so plentiful,
Stephens, that mine is likely to go beg
ging for acceptance? Can a starving
student. who has his own way to make,
afford to let an opportunity like this
go by?"
Madam" replied Stephens, in du-
bious Tone 81 tell you frankly, l fear
you will never get on with him. And
as for marrying the young man to Miss
Fassel"-
His voice died in a dry cough.
Send him to me-" said Mrs. Ellicott
again, "and 1 will judge for myself"
The lawyer bowed and withdrew.
He had made his report and received
his intructions.
The same night, Nigel Hume, the i'm
pecunious medical student. ascended
the steps Of the Ellicott house, and
was shown into the presence of his
rich, unknown kinswoman.
After all you did not refuse to
come" she said.
mo-" he answered, quietly; Il was
curious to see the aunt who, after
twenty-five years of forgetfulness, had
suddenly remembered that I was her
nephew"
She winched a little Leaning both
| ory-colored hands on her gold-head-
ed stick, she looked critically at Nigel
Hume.
He was about the age of his dead
cousin. but he had little Of Lepers
striking beauty. He was insignificant
in stature, lean in the cheek, square
in the Jaw. His glossy dark head
rested firmly on thick, columnllKe
throat. and his grave eyes wore the
keen, cold brightness Of sword plaoe'
He stood up to be scrutinized with
perfect composure.
1T is true" said Mrs. Ellicott' "that
7 never gave you thought until after
the death of my son. BY that event
? was compelled to remember your ex-
istence."
| II understand" he answered. laconi-
cally.
She waved him to a seat.
"Of course you know the cause OF
YOUR mothers estrangement from her
family?"
Yes"
Her disgraceful marriage with a
social inferior-a man without pen
NY
He made as if to rise.
THE memory Of my father and
mother is the most sacred thing that
| pOsSesS. It is not possible for me tc