The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-07-10


and handed them to 5tepheni then he
iighted a'cigar Kindly read Il care
fully, II concerns you vitality"
And Stephen drawing the lamp to-
wPrd him did as be desired. There
was a page devoted TO number OF
small requests 10, old servants. next
followed careful instructions relating
20 certain Investments that were 10
be made 10 create an annuity fer
Gibbs: a similar provision was made
for his Julia: and then Stephen came
upon his own name. He Saw that Ben
son had made him his heir, He was
prepared for this IN a measure, but he
wa1 not prepared for the amount that
was devised for his benefit, for the
lawyer had given a methodical and
accurate description OF the properties
he owned with the approximate value
of each.
Stephen had believed him very
rich man, but the will was a revela-
ton TO him; his actual wealth was far
I'm excess OF anything he had ever sup
posed possible.
When he came TO the end OF the last
sheet Of paper, he carefully folded
them and handed them back TO Ben
son. The lawyer waited for him TO
speek, but he said nothing. He was
blinking of the astonishing revelation
that Benson had Just made. II was
true he had once expected TO inherit
from him. but never such fortune as
this.
Il want you 10 tell your Aunt Vir-
ginia OF the existence OF this will, said
Benson slowly. You saw from the
date that II was drawn up since you
left college-no, wait" for Stephen
seemed about to interrupt him 81
merely ask you to make her acquaint
ed with the facts with which you are
no7' familiar You NAV add the assur-
ance as coming from me, that it is the
last will | shall make, unless"
he paused, as If TO choose his word,
but only said abruptly. Tell her what
you now know"
The reading OF the will had moved
Stephen profoundly. for 1t had made
plain to him just the regard In which
he had been held by Benson.
You will tell her, stephen" the
lawyer urged.
NO said Stephen, weighing the
matter deliberately. 81 can't tell her.
why not?'
why, don't you see, II told her
Of this will. and the condition" he
hesitated.
What condition. have made
none"
But one is implied"
Benson was silent; he did not dis
pute this point.
"If she knew of that will she would
drop everything. There is no sacri- !
fec she will not make for those she
cyes."
Yes" said Benson shortly, and with
great bitterness, Just as she will sac
riice any one she does not love, for |
the sake Of those she does
al really don't see why she should
care for me. | am not conscious OF
having done anything to merit It."
You are a Landray," said Benson.
mo, It's more than that" said |
stephen.
will you tell her of the will?' re-
peated Benson.
mo, Uncle Jake, | can't tell her."
said stephen doggedly
you could do justice by her"
she would never accept It from me;
at least, she would not feel the same"
IT can't. Uncle Jake" said stephen
quietly.
Benson struck the papers open with
his hand.
"You will not tell herr" he repeat
ed again. Then he struck a match.
Stephen thought IL was to light his
cigar. which had gone out
mo, neither now or later-certain-
ly at no future time; | had much
rather she never knew"
"She never will" said Benson grim |
ly He held the still burning match In
his fingers. He glanced at Stephen,
and then thoughtfully applied 1t to the
sheets OF paper one by)one. AS the
flames crept up them. he dropped them
on the hearth~of the empty fireplace.
Once he stirred them with the toe Of
his boot
Stephen watched him without Wis
ible emotion II had all happened so
quickly that he hardly yet understood |
that he had relinquished a great for
tune. When the last vestige Of what |
had been his will was destroyed, Ben |
son raised his eyes from the contem- |
plation of the little heap OF grey |
ashes that remained In witness OF his |
act
You will always have the satisfac.
ton OF knowing that you sacrificed
fortune TO a nice sense OF honor" he |
said cynically.
(Contlnued)