Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-10

a landmark in her
ory letters lying beside her plate. While the
address of in a flowing feminine hand that of
the other neatly typewriter, and the flap of its
envelope adorned with the of prominent firm
of London solictors-two occurrences sufficiently
usual in themselves warrant the eagerness with which
she set about opening the missve the incidental but
nevertheless very detrimental neglect of her
hot coffee and bacon. So utterly amazing did the
muncaton prove that after scanning it through twice
and going to the length of pinchng herself to make
assurance douby being really and truly wide
awake, she read it half aloud:
"DEAR MADAM-In accordance with the in
structions of our late respected client, William
Westlake, Esq, of the City of London, we have
great pleasure in informing you that under his
will you, his niece and sole surviving rea-
tive, become possessed of all his personal
tate, valued at ten thousand pounds, subject
to the condition that, within twelve months
from the date of the death of the said William
Weshake, Esq. September 20 of the present
year,, you marry whose not
less than a similar Failing this, the
property in question is to be realized and di-
vlded between certain charitable institutions
specified by the testator.
Ere this matter shall be glad to afford
you further particulars, either at office
at your own residence, at your convenience,
and beg to remain, dear madam yours obedi-
entity
FOWLER AND WATSON"
'Ten thousand pounds" exclaimed the newly made
heiress her eyes agnt with the merrment that was
her only sentiment this unexpected of Fortunes
wheel. Ten thousand pounds bride for a
with another ten thousand to take for the of
my natural life! Well, mother always said that her
brother not quite c0mPOS mentiS, and his will is
certainly the climax of all his erratic dongs For
years and years he absolutely ignored existence
He did not even answer when | to tell him of
mothers illness, and he made sign her DEATH and
now he Haunts the shadow of his wealth in my face
She dropped the lawyers and turned to her
other letter. headed by printed address, "Renchester
House, Combhaven, N. Devon" and running:
DEAR MISS CARLYLE Your references
proving satisfactory, and all our preliminaries
having been arranged 1 shall be glad if you
commence your duties as my companion
Thursday of this week, the goth instant,
am very lonely at present. my son being
still away.
IF you will let me know by what train you
will arrive, a carriage shall be sent to the
station to meet you.
Trusting that shall soon be the best of
friends yours sincerely, :
"LAURA RENcHEsTER-"
ITO become the companion of lonely widow down
in the wilds of North Devon certainly does not look
a very likely means of securing husband worth ten
thousand pounds murmured May, devoting herself to
her belated breakfast and thinking things while
she ate until presently her plans matured enough
for her ring for her landlady apologize person
who lived with the sword of Damocles constantly
hanging her. in the shape of perpetual fear of
the departure of her dodgers and consequent long weeks
of waiting for another ''1et'
81 'opes miss, 'ow there amt nothink wrong with
the breakfast I'm sure began she nervousy twisting
the corner of apron the original hue of which
might reasonably be judged as white and quickly May
reassured her that point.
"oh, no! There nothing wrong with it, thank
you Mrs. Smith, nothing at all. Only l to tell
you that | am going away from here"
Involuntarily she laughed she uttered these dire
words for there flashed her mind the remembrance
OF buresque drama she had seen, in which the
hero exclaimed repeatedly and dramatically the dis
traught heroine
81 going away from here!"
All unconsciousy Mrs Smith the role of that
heroine, echoing blankly:
"You are going away from 'erel" and her ledger
could not refrain from laughing again.
"What-&hat am l to do with your rooms miss ?"
asked the landlady. "Makin bold maybe you might