The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-20
His Hideous Heirloom
BY STACY Il. BAKER.
by JOANNA SINGLE.

BY STACY T. BAKER.
Copyright. 1910, by Associated Literary Press)
Miss Harriet Heriien was eccentric, and her
trcity led her to extremes when. her death, she
willed time-worn and hideous bureau her favor
lite nephew-and nothing else.
Marvin Chapman debated long whether favor
the relic of an artess manufacturer with resting room
or reiegate 1t to a secondhand emporium. In the
end love and certain respect for the old lady
the bureau installed in the otherwise upto- date
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 his aunt for a number
of years, remembered her a sharp-eyed old lady,
silver-haired and always CARRIED In black.
The bureau amused the friends of the young artist.
and laughing congratulations were given Chapman on
having secured so handsome antique He voun-
teered no explanations Tho bureau became q perma~
nent fixture in his rooms.
Chapman artist of much talent. but. yet.
little success lie managed by rigid economy. to live
within his -too-small income. and keep appear
ances Meanwhile. the spotlight Of publicity was grad
ualy coming closer.
The youth had always believed that his aunt was
woman of vast wealth and that he was to inherit AL
OF her fortune Believing this he had made effort
to husband his little money Now he realized
his mistake-ths leaning possihilities-for his
dream was farther away from him than overland
ne had imagined it most tangible. and OF oouud-to-
come-true construction.
But. ALL even IL the little country studio far
away from the stress and camor of the town. were
eliminated and the constant production of pot bolt
dream was still left to him The heart of the deram,
the radiant center around which all these thoughts
and visions of tho future revoved. was-Annctte
Leya.
The young artist had known the girl for years
They had been fellow students in Paris and her dark
eyes studded beneath perfect hrows, had made their
strong appeal to him long before he had become
acquainted with her. Above and beyond her perfect
figure her rare poise: above and beyond all these.
the magnetism of her personality had elaine him,
and he knew in his heart that there never could DO
any other.
The youth had been boy, fresh from thu
country in those days. and what the girl could have
found in him was a mystery. To be sure. the aaui-
line nose, the firm frank and the nghting jaw
told OF Fores to come; hut general rule young
girls are not able to Judge Of such things.
10th Chapman and tho giri were hack in New
FORK and the friendship had long since ripened TO
an engagement and full understanding. Annette's
career as an artist was In the state that of
her sweetheart.
II think 1t is rather quaint" complmeuted Miss
Leya upon her nrst glimpse OF the monstrosity New
Polite fabrieatons 10 the girl with difficulty.
Her perfect lips and her rather serious profilo
consistently above trivial word vagaries
Several months after the installation OF the heirloom
Chapman received caller
My name is Cummings" introduced the elderly
person having calmly helped himself To chair, Hs
removed ancient tile and mopped shining dome
never met me. sir but your late auns-a most estim-
able woIhan--nssted that call you when the
The keen of the caller roamed about the room.
resting at last little door leading chamber
had descended TO Chapman.
The artist noted the curious glance OF the visitor.
That bureau. he laughed, was my inheritance. Aunt
Harriet wlled ii to me. If had followed first i'm
pressions the thing wouldn't be here now. but-weu.
Aunt was good old soul. and she certainly
have thought something OF the old affair wouldn't
have been inflicted with IT, Her sentiments mine.
shall stand by that ancient chest of drawers until
grim death relieves me of Its guardianship"
Il wouldn't mind owning 1t myself confessed
Cummings I'll give you twice what the thing cost
just to own it for keepsake. you know.
1T is not for sale answered Chapman
II will give" said the old man. sticking TO the SUBJ
Ject. Just 500 for the clap-rap. Better take
1T is not for GALE reiterated Chapman, patiently.
Can't YOU understand sir? 1t is not for sale"
"One thousand dollars" exclaimed the old man
and not more. by jing No. sir not a cent
more
You had better see a Doctor suggested Chap.
THAT bureau isn't worth a to any one but me.
1t is old. dilapidated and hideous'
Cummings mad already started the door" 81 see
we can't do business" he called back the
prised Chapman. Good by
The painter stared after his eccentric visitor.
Crazy" he calculated Mad a March hare,
Some old lover of aunts. probably and he wanted
that--er-thing keepsake Joye. who would
have supposed romance existed ia such frana2.
Nevertheless and despite his firm and indignant
refusal OF Cummings offer Chapman had been Tempt
ed. One thousand dollars meant a lot to him
Annette laughed when he told her. why, boy
she. said softly you don't know yourself well as
know YOU" One slim hand rested his arm. Your
visitor couldn't have bought that bureau for $4,000
know"
week later Chapman received this letter:
Dear Mr. Chapman:
I'm calling upon you recently did so acting In
the capacity of your late aunt's legal adviser and as
the administrator of her estate. The legacy OF the
bureau test II you kept 1t an allotted time
and refused to disclose of ii for such a ridicu-
ously large l offered you, would prove
your love for her and the rest of the to
you
You have and in the face of great tempta.
ton. Congratulations
THE property amounts to 100000, Call upon
me soon possible for more explicit information
Very truly. G. G. CUMMINGS"
the opening of the letter. TO cherish heirooms"
Virginia Alfalfa.
Tail IN