The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-23
CHAPTER III.

ln Which Deliver Letter. ~ IR GEOFFREY'S will, as Mas
 ter Fickhn read it, was sim
 pie affair. It left everything
 of which he died possessed to his daughter. Unfortunately, he died possessed of nothing. The docu- ment was mere waste paper. Every thing was nortgaged, every family portrait even. Mistress Lucy appear ed to have no legal right to anything In or out of the castle. save the clothes she wore. The point is," Mistress Lucy said, as Master F1cklin bowed deferentially toward her, ''that have nothingT" Nothing from your father, madam" 'eBut my mothers estatef"
 ''I regret to say,'' said Master Flick 2 lin, 'sthat most of it has been convert ed into money and lost by your fa- ther There is left in my hands, ma liam, only a matter of some f2 2,0O0,- put at interest, which you, being now i, Df full age"-
 .I was eighteen on my last birth 2 day"
 Exactly. so that it is at your pres ent disposal"
 What shape Is 1t inr'
 'sTt is invested in consols.''
 "Can they be realized uponP'I instantly"
 gro adTantage?''
 Most certainly"
 tsI thank you, Master Ficklin, for your provident care of my little for tune. It is most unexpected,'' she fal- tered.
 Believe me, Mistress Lucy, it is a happiness to do anything for you,' said the old attorney, rising and gathering up his papers and lowing low before her. 'sYou may command me in every lining. A temporary loan Or''-
 Thank you, Master FickIin," said Mistress Lucy; 'syou touch me greatly, but need nothing at present. My fla ther made me an allowance and gener- ally paid it. It was a generous one, and, living alone as I did, I did not spend it have a few hundred pounds in my own name at the bank, and with that for temporary use and my mother's legacy I shall lack noth- 1ng.''
 But where will you live, Mistress Lucy?''
 Tt matters Iittle.' she answered list less1y.
 My sIsrer and I,' said the old attor- ney, Tive alone in the county town The house is large If you would ac, cept our hospitality until your future Is decided we should be vastly hon ored."
 T accept your kindly profer. most thankfully was her reply. eI have been invited to various homes here and there in the county, but prefer te go to you.''
 "Good,'' said Master Ficklin briskly 'That is settled then. l. am empow cred by those who hold the mortgage to tell you that the pictures of youI father or mother or anything strictly personal they waive their claim to.''s Thank you,'' said Mistress Lucy. Hl shall take but small advantage of theil generosity
 q know that,' answered Master Ficklin, and now I will return to the town If you will be ready about o'clock" Gt was then about 2yt'I vii return and fetch you to our home"
 T shall be ready. Goodby.''
 The little lawyer bent over her hand and left the room. I sat dumb anI silent during the whole interview, al though had listened to everything with the deepest interest As usual, i was she who broke the silence whel we were alone again.
 Master Hampdon," she began, 4't' what sorry pass am reducedi Wha shall do now2"
 My lady" said I, "the sorrfest par of the pass to which you have beer brought is that you have in me sucl a poor counselor, a rough sailor, bu one who would, nevertheless, give hfi hearts blood to promote your welfare or do you any service
 Now, as I said that I laid my hanG on the breast of my coat, and as bent awkward1y enough toward her I could not even bow as gracefully al the little attorney just departed-I fel the paper which had taken from Si Gecfrey's hand and Jg h1ch had en