Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-12-28


BILE accident who would be the wiser?
Twenty millions in gold!
His hands opened and shut spasmod-
ically lndistinctly he heard rustic
of petticoats. He opened his eyes to
fnd his niece at his feet.
Uncle. don't you know what day
this is?" she asked.
why, 1t is Wednesday"
Have you forgotten that this is my
eighteenth birthday?"
Eighteenth birthday Good heav-
ems. so 1t Is, SO it ISL
He laid his hand upon her dark head,
but he did not look down into the
youthful and beautiful face raised to.
ward his own. His fingers unconscious.
ly crept into the girls hair, trifle too
strongly for an affectionate gesture.
What is it," she asked, drawing her
head away quickly.
"A touch of rheumatism in my arm"
he said mtuitively. You know it gives
me twinge once in so often. So you
are eighteen years old?"
And you said that on this day was
to come into fortune"
That is true. How much do you
think it is?"
"Oh, perhaps $50O00."
"ls it-lost?" she asked.
No, my child. 1t is the terrible re-
sponsibility which is about to rest
upon your young shoulders that makes
me sad. Tomorrow morning your law
yers will inform you that you are one
of the richest heireSses in America"
Uncle, don't make fun of mev'
II am telling you the truth. To date
Zudora has turned out something like
$20,000,000. 1t was the express will OF
your father to have this kept quiet, so
that you would not be bothered with
fortune hunters. Girl, you will marry
duke or a prince. You will become
famous beauty. But my advice is
this: That until my guardianship
ceases-you will be twenty-one then
you will say nothing to any one about
this fortune. 1t would make life un
bearable for us bothn
iii gladly agree to that" she said
eagerly.
Whenever you require a large sum
Of money you will write the attorneys,
and they will send it. Think of the no
toriety. the busy reporters, the broken
down mobiles, INDECENT society folk!"
She laughed at the picture. He was
right. If she desired peace and com
fort she must keep this fortune away
from the public eye.
"Zudora, there is one pleasant fancy
you must henceforth put entirely out
Of your mind"
'"And what is thatT"
This fancy for John Storm. For all
that you have inherited this vast sum
Of money, you are still under my
guardianship for three years"
| What ZudOra would have replied tc
this half yelled demand will never be
known. The bell rang. and shortly
after that John Storm himself was
I ushered into the room. Hassam~ Ali
nodded coldly. but the girl sprang to
greet her lover.
"How's the case going?" she asked.
Pretty well, think | shall win
out against Bienreith."
He hates you
mo doubt of it. He'd like nothing
better than to stick knife In my
back"
Hassam Ali's eyes narrowed. An
| idea had come to him.
"Mr. Keene." said Storm suddenly,
II know have my way to make, but
can assure you that | can give Zu
dora all the material comforts she has
known. | want Zudora for my wife.
1T is impossible" replied Hassam
Ali.
Impossible" echoed the two young
people.
Absolutely" with growing coldness
'In the first place am Zudora's
! guardian until she is twenty-one
Therefore | do not propose that she
shall throw herself away on an Ordl
nary lawyer"
Sir" said Storm, Il do not quite
like the tone you use"
Indeed! Young mai. | am not only
her guardian, but | am also her flesh
and blood uncle, and dc not propose
that she shall bungle her future by a
marriage to you."
Not word about the millions. Zu
dora thought hard for moment and
concluded 1t might be wise to say
! nothing to her lover until she had this
fortune under her hand
what if promise never to marry
any one else?" she said.
Hassam Ali shrugged. Come. come;
be sensible. Until you both get over
this foolish idea i must request thai
Mr.. Storm cease calling here"---
"Very well, sir" said Storm angrily
But warn you that shall see Zu.
! dora outside as often as she Is kind
enough to permit me. Good evening"
Storm sent Zudora reassuring smile
rs he left the room
"What in the world have you against
John?" cried Zudora bewilderedly
81 do not propose to see you support
a fortune hunter" rather lamely
THAT'S nonsense" she declared with
spirit. John tells the truth when he
says he is able to take care OF me-"
"Still forbid it. and legally 1t ia my
right"