The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-02-03

WHEN THE WILL WAS READ
BY BERT NEwcoMB HODGsON

green and that Virginia and I can be
married"
Some two weeks later Bayard was
notified by the express company that
there was a package there for him
with $40 due on it, shipped from Chi
cago. Bayard knew at once that IL was
some of Aunt Lucy's valuable silver
sent on to him. Jimmy would lend
him the money to pay for 1t.
The bill was paid. and the big pack.
ing case was ordered sent to virginia's
house and Jimmy duly invited around
to participate in the unpacking. Ham
mer and chisels were put to use. and
all three of them entered into the gay
spirit of the party. Piles of packing
were pulled from the box. and finally a
heavy gilt frame came to view. Coats
were taken Off, and the combined
strength Of Jimmy and Bayard was
put to the test. Finally the picture
was taken out. 1t proved to be a life
sized portrait Of Bayard as a child
well" I'll be hanged declared
Bayard as he mopped his brow.
Here's a letter." announced Jimmy
as he pulled a long white envelope
from the corner of the frame. Viz
ginia opened it and read aloud.
Your aunt, Miss leighton, left her
entire estate to charities. She wills
and bequeaths to you this portrait of
yourself. The portion OF the will re-
lating to you reads as follows: L leave
no money to my dear nephew, Bayard
Leighton, because / do not wish TO
shatter his ideal method Of life. He
is earning a good salary and has good
health. As a slight token Of my af-
lection and as q remembrance I leave
him the Gilbert portrait Of himself
which now hangs In my library"
isn't it a darling!' cried Virginia AZ
she danced about the huge portrait.
But you can't 60 to housekeeping
with nothing but an old oil painting"
demurred Bayard.
Seems to me-" broke in Jimmy,
that there's plenty OF wood right here
to build the house, and 1t won't take
long to cover the walls. There's the
oil painting to begin with. Then we
can have that letter framed. I'm sure
Bayard never wants to part with that
Then I'll give you a large photograph
of myself, and
"What's all this nonsense about GO
ing to housekeepingT' interrupted Mr..
Tracey, virginia's father, as he came
into the room. when these young
people get married-and I wish they'd
hurry up about it-they must come
and 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 a man
for my son-in-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, chisels
and excelsior packing. He took his
daughter In one arm as he extended
his free hand to Bayard.
do you mean TT" sang out Bayard
gleefully.
"Mean it?' echoed Mr.. Tracey. "well,
1 bet 1 do, and to prove II I'll take
Jimmy Bookwalter into the dining
room and keep him there until you two
settle on a date for the wedding"
! The words dining room" seemed to
awaken Jimmy from his stupor. He
had a mental picture of a %sideboard
plentifully stocked with reviving liq-
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.