The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-05

ar.
he took the ehalr oft the bed
tucked II in one corner ot the room
and stretched himself out for tho
night,
IN after years he talked much about
that room. Ha always declared that
he could open tho deer with his hand
aud the window with his foot AZ the
same timc that II he bent over 10
lace up hlh boots he hutted his head
against the side wall, and when he
thrust his arm through the sleeve Of
his shirt he Invariably bruised the back
Of his hand on the ceiling,
The next night while dining with
Jimmy telegram waa handed 10
Bayard.
"Your aunt died this morning III
neral Thursday" It read,
"Well, hope the dear old lady will
he happy In heaven" nayard said. not
without some feeling. "sho had per,
suaded herself that she wasn't here"
THAT telegram meano 4 lot % you
doesn't ltH' inquired Jlmfly. with an
air OF Anallty
EYES, Il does II means that I'll have
a goodly bic OF the necessary long
green and that virginia and can b.
married"
Some two weeks later Bayard was
notlacd by the express company that
there was a package there for him
with $40 due on IL shipped from Chi,
cage nayand know at once that Il
was some of Aunt Lucy'a valuable all,
yer sent on 10 him Jimmy would lend
him the money 70 pay for H.
Tho hin was paid. aud the big pack
Ing case was ordered sent 70 vlFginia'a
house aud Jimmy duly Invited around
10 participate In the unpaoklng. Ham
nlcr aud ehlsels were pu, 70 use. ami
MI three uf them entered into the gay
spirit of the party. rlles ot naekIns
were pulled from the box, and finally
heavy silt frame came 10 view
Coats were taken ofE. aud the com.
blned strength Of Jimmy and Iiayard
was put 10 the test. Finally the pic.
ture was taken out II proved to he
a ilfc sized portrait Of Rayart aa
rhild.
"Wcll, ri Nc hangedr declared hay,
ard AZ no mopped his brow.
Here's a letter" announced Jimmy
as he pulled long white envelope
from tho corner Of the frame. vir
glnia opened Il and read aloud,
Your aunt. Miss Leighton. left her
entire estate 10 charities, She wills
and bcqneatha TO you this portrait Of
yourself. The portion Of the viii 10
lating 20 you reads ~ follows; I leave
no money to my dear nephew. nayard
leighton, because ! do not wish O.
shatter his ideal method Of life. Ic
IL earning good salary aud has good
health. As slight tokcn of my n
fection and Ms q remembrance leave
him the Gilbert portrait Of himself
which now hangs IN my library"
Isn't Il darliug." cried Virginia y
she danced about the huge portral,
"But you can't so to housekccpius
with nothing but an old oil painting.
demurred Bayard.
Seems TO me-" broke 10 Jimmy
''that there's plenty Of wood right hcr,
to build the house. aud II won't take
long 10 cover the walls There's the
oil painting to begin with Then U
can have that letter framed. rm sure
Rayard never wants 70 part with that
Then III give you large photograph
Of myself, and"--
whats all this nonsense about go
Ing to housekeeping interrupted AIR
Tracey, vlrgInia's father, as he came
into the room. when these young
people get married | Wish they'd
hurry up about It-they must come
aud live with me. Virginia can change
her name whenever she wants to, but
not her residence. And as for this
legacy business, I'd rather have man
for my son.ln.law who can fight his
own way than one who was made by
an inheritance"
Mr.. Tracey picked his way across
the room over the pine boards, chlsels
and excelsior packing. He took his
daughter In one arm as he extended
his free hand to Bayard.
"Do you mean III" sang out Bayard
gleefully.
Mean itr echoed Mr.. Tracey. swell.
| bet ! do, and to prove II III take
Jimmy Bookwalter into the dining
room and keep him there until you |
two settle on date for the wedding"
The words dining room" seemed to |
awaken Jimmy from bis stupor. He |
had a mental picture OF a sideboard |
plentifully stocked with reviving ia. |
uors. He announced that he was |
ready for the proof Of Mr.. Tracey's |
assertion, and together they went out
Of the room, leaving the lovers alone.