Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-20
CHAPTER II.
Tho HeiroSS

CHAPTER II.
The Heiress.
1t was not the apparition of Ursula
Steir. but the living presence of Hester
Forde who confronted the startled
.women-Hester tall and fragile wearing
a dingy black gown, which intensified the
CHASTITY whiteness of her thin visage. Her
features were delicate. her eyes pur-
plish gray: great masses of auburn hair
were tightly drawn away from her tenn
pies and with her paliid color and tragic
face she looked the unhappy ghost of her
own youth.
Ghostlike she stood motionless. gravely
surveying the occupants of the little par
lor Ghostlike she drifted from the room
and. without once opening her lips noise
lessly drew the door after her.
Nurse Dixon glanced from the door to
her companion. from her companion to
the door. At last she exclaimed:
She is queer. Does she often come
and look at YOU like this?'
AYE, she caps owt with her strange
WAYS, I expect she is beginning to feel
that she is alone in the world. I think
that's what gives her that wild soort O.
gaze
Il must see after her" declared the
nurse, rising and pushing back her chair.
iii make her have something to eat. and
go to bed and treat her as my patient
she wants nursing.
NAY. 1 don't know how she'll take it,
said Fanny. "all her days nursing others
we'll" rising. nov / must clear the
things and fettle up
1t happened that Miss Forde accepted
the offices of Nurse Dixon with gratitude,
not unmixed with surprise that any one
should fash about wan looks and want
of sleep. and, thanks to her offices. she
gained sufficient strength and nerve to
support the ordeal of the rector's call and
long prayers. an interview with the un-
dertaker and the funeral.
The obsequies of Ambrose Forde offered
pitiful contrast to the trains of impor-
tant mourners who had attended to their
last home the gay and spendthrift MEM
bers of the house of Steir.
The coffin on the present occasion was
borne by eight laborerS and accompanied
by most of the villagers on foot.
Directly behind it walked Miss Forde
alone-the sole relative-a slight, pathetic
figure in crepe, with the long hanging veil
thrown back from rigid and fearless
face. Was she grieving for her father?-
for years he had suffered, and for the last
three months he had been speechless. Or
was she not mourning for herself? What
hold had she existence? What was
the good of life to such forlorn and
friendless creature?
She looked as if she were following to
the tomb the remains of every hope.
When Ambrose Forde had been laid by
the one love of his life, the funeral part V
dspersed-all but the rector, the doctor
and the family lawyer, who returned to
the Grange in order to inaugurate Seri-
Gus businesS-the opening of the will.
In the front sitting roOm-a low and
paneled apartment-Jane Jubber had set
forth the Scanty funeral meats-a de-
Canter of wine and shilling seed cake
and after the three men had swallowed a
glass OF Indifferent sherry they adjourned
TO the opposite parlor. where was a table
with an inkstand; and assembled on a
row of chairs. as If awaiting family pray
ers. sat Liza and Jane Jubber. Fanny
TOotle and the old gardener. Luke Back
house. Aloof on a sofa at some distance
was Hester. supported by Nurse Dixon.
whom she had implored to be present as
a special favor.
The reading of the will proved to be a
peared to bristle with technicalities and
strange words, but the listeners gathered
that the late Ambrose Forde had had no
need for his painful economies, and was,
on the contrary. a wealthy man.
The sisters Jubber with downcast eyes,
pursed up lips and folded hands, pre-
sented the embodiment of unctuous atten-
ton.
Hester Forde. sitting there with her
long. thin fingers interlaced In her lap,
her face cold and expressionless as stone.
was an heiress, and each syllable that fell
from the lips of Mr.. Levin seemed but
to add to her possessions.
The Grange and its contents, numerous
investments in consols - in American
trusts and rails, in foreign bonds. in ship
ping and in mines-all were hers.
There were legacies of one hundred
pounds a year apiece to Eliza and Jane
Jubber in acknowledgment of faithful
services. and they were accorded house.
room at the Grange as long as they
should desire to live there. Fanny Tootle,
the old gardener, the church and the
county infirmary had also been remem-
bered.
When the voice of Mr.. levin had
ceased there ensued an expressive silence.
The four legatees seated in row, were
each engrossed in individual speculations.
Fanny, with fifty pounds in her pocket.
already hailed husband and a home!
Old Luke. on the other hand, beheld the
dreaded workhouse receding from his
fears. Jane and Liza had also their
agreeable anticipations.
"Of course" resumed the lawyer, there
are the death duties, and there will be
some considerable delay in paying the
legacies.'
1.-THE personally is large, 1 presume?"
said the rector who had arisen and stood
beside him. Il am not familiar with
legal terms he added, in a low voice.
but l gather that Mr.. Forde has left a
considerable amount of money"
rubbing his hands as he spoke. MY dear
sir. l think l am undertaking the matter
when I say that our lamented friend has
left behind him an immense fortune"
AN immense fortune!' echoed Mr..
Cave. startled out of his cautious whisper
into a loud echo IAN immense fortune.
Mr.. Levin nodded his head as he began
carefully to select Sundry stiff documents.
He was preparing to address Miss Forde,
who sat staring at him speeches. and
stunned.
Overwhelmed by the shock. and amaze
ment at the avalanche of wealth. the
words Of IAN immense fortune" mounted
slowly and steadily into her brain like a
swelling tide. Fasting. sleeplessness. a
long. agtating day and unusual excite
ment had already done their work 1t
needed but the stroke of an overpowering
announcement to sweep the mind into UNI
consciousness The heiress rose, stag
gered for a moment and then fell back
on the sofa In a dead faint.
Tidings of the contents of the will ran,
so to speak. open mouthed about Shales-
moor. and old Forbes fortune Increased
with every hour-half million-one mil
Hon-two millionS-Surely never had this
unfamiliar word been more thoroughly
hard worked and enjoyed.
Mrs. LoVelock. the dairymanS wife,
buried temporarily an ancient feud with
Widow Stock at the shop. on the strength
of all the money that was coming to their
village. They took tea with Mrs. JaggerS,
the sections wife. and, after a hearty
meal Of rabbit pie and soda cake, dis
cussed the news till night fell.