Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-24
HIS HIDEoUs HEIRLOOM.
BY STACY E. BAKER.

BY STACY e. BAKER.
Copyright, 1910. by Associated Liter
airy Press.
Miss Harriet Herlien was eccentric,
and her eccentricity led her to ex.
tremes when, at her death, she willed
O. time-worn and hideous bureau to
her favorite nephew-and nothing
else.
Marvin Chapman debated long on
whether to favor the relic of an art
less manufacturer with resting room,
or relegate it to a secondhand en-
porium. In the end love and GER
tain respect for the old lady won; the
bureau was installed in the otherwise
up-todate apartments of the young
man..
Miss Harriet Herlien had been a
highly esteemed woman, aggressive
in word and action. She had
shrewd mind, calculating, keen.
Chapman, who had not seen his
aunt for a number of years. remem-
bered her as sharp-eyed old lady,
silver haired and always CARRIED IN
black.
The bureau amused the friends OF
the young artist and laughing con-
gratulations were given Chapman on
having secured so handsome an an
tique. He volunteered no explana-
tions. The bureau became permanent
fixture in his rooms.
Chapman was an artist of much
talent, but, as yet, little success. He
managed. by rigid economy, to live
within his all-to-small income, and
keep up appearances. Meanwhile, the
spotlight of publicity was gradually
coming closer.
The youth had always believed that
his aunt was a woman Of vast wealth
and that he was to inherit all OF
her fortune. Believing this, he had
made no effort to husband his own
little money Now he realized his mis-
take-this leaning on possibilities-for
his dream was farther away from him
than overland he had imagined 1t
most tangible. and Of bound-to-come-
true construction.
But, after all, even if the little
country studio, far away from the
stress and clamor of the town, were
eliminated, and the constant produc-
ton Of "pot boilers" was always to
be necessity the heart of the dream
was still left to him. The heart Of
the dream, the radiant center around
which all these thoughts and visions
of the future revolved, was-Annette
Leya!
The young artist had known the
girl for years. They had been fellow
students in Paris, and her dark eyes,
studded beneath perfect brows, had
made their strong appeal to him long
before he had become acquainted with
her. Above and beyond her perfect fig
ure, her rare poise; above and be-
yond all these. the magnetism of her
personality had claimed him, and he
knew in his heart that there never
could be any other.
The youth had been a keen boy,
fresh from the country in those days,
and what the girl could have found in
him was mystery. To be sure, the
aquiline nose, the firm, frank eyes and
the fighting jaw told of victories to
come; but. as general rule, young
girls are not able to Judge of such
things.
Both Chapman and the girl were
now back in New York and the friend
ship had long since ripened to an en-
gagement and full understanding.
Annette's career as an artist was in
the same state as that Of her sweet
heart
81 think it is rather quaint" COM
plimented Miss Leya upon her first
glimpse of the monstrosity. Neverthe-
less, her enthusiasm broke to no fine
frenzy Polite fabrications came to
the girl with difficulty. Her perfect
lips and her rather serious profile
were consistently above trivial word
vagaries.
Several months after the installa-
ton Of the heirloom, Chapman re-
ceived caller.
"My name is Cummings intro
duced the elderly person, having
calmly helped himself to chair. He
removed an ancient tile and mopped
the shining dome Of his head with a
eaudy handkerchief. "You have never
met me, sir. but your late aunt a
most estimable woman-insisted that
call on you when in the city. We
were friends" he finished simply.
The keen eyes Of the caller roamed
about the room, resting at last upon
a little door leading to chamber.
lust visible from where he sat was
the freak gift that had descended to
Chapman.
The artist noted the curious glance
of the visitor. "That bureau" he
laughed, was my Inheritance. Aunt
Harriet willed it to me. If had fol-
lowed first impressions the thing
wouldn't be here now. but we'll,
Aunt was a good old soul and she
certainly must have thought some
thing Of the old affair or wouldn't
have been inflicted with it. Her SEN
timents are mine. I shall stand by that
ancient chest Of drawers until grim
death relieves me Of it's guardianship.
81 wouldn't mind owning 1t myself"
confessed Cummings. "1'll give you
twice what the thing cost-just to
own it for keepsake. you know
ut is not for sale" answered Chap
man.
81 will give" said the old man,
sticking to the subject, Gust $500 for
the claD-trap. F-tter take it."