Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-03
The Daily Story
An Alien Heir


Throwing fresh stick on the hre, Dick
vance eazed approvlnsly about him The
room which the dancing flames lighted up
had coy. homellke air delightfully."- In
contrast with his cherries lodgings In
Paris. At last he had one little spot
within four walls that he could call his
own.
As he stretched his ieRs comfortably to
the blaze, he was still tinsling with the
| thrill Of mazement he had felt when
Informed by the village lawyer, during
their brief interview that afternoon, that
he was Robert Chilton's heir
| Tho estate consists Of this old house,
which has been In the Chiffon family for
a hundred years ard f5O,0o0 In stocks and
| bonds" MFR. Blackstone had said.
| Although three hours mad gone by
| since then, Dick stlll almost doubted his
great fortune. How often he had gone
with empty pockets and nothing to cat!
one blissful thought made his heart
leap. He could marry Alice Dale! They
| had waited two years because Of their
poverty: there was now no occasion for
delay.
The door hell rang Mr. Robbins, the
gray-haired minister, who mad oflciated
at Robert Chilton's funeral tnat day,
was ushered In. Shaking the snow from
his great coat, he sat down heavily be-
fore the fire, his face wearing n stern
expression.
mfr. Vance, how long had you known
the deceased?" he abruptly inquired
About six months, sir
you met abroad2"
"Yes. cir in Paris. Mr. Chiffon fell
seriously III at one OF the hotels. Ee was
alone and took care OF him He was
pleased to think that my nursing saved
his life"
you Travelled with him afterrward?'
81 did. I was q poor medical student,
| had Just taken my degree couId a,t
as courier and also keep caretul Watch
over his bodily health"
Dick smiled pleasantly, but the clergy
mans face grew harder than before
did he ever speak to you Of his fam
ily?"
Only once-Just before he died. He said
they had betrayed, forsaken hm-that he |
was worse than alone in the world Ho
made mo promise to bury him from his
old home never intimating that | was to |
be his heir That came as n complete |
Rurprlse OH sir" Dick added with |
klndlIng eyes, this legacy means every |
thing to me-suCCess, happiness, a pros
porous career"
Looking at the young man over his |
spectacles Mr. Robbins said gravely:
Then you arc not aware that Mr..
Clifton left a daughter and grand
child?"
Dick turned pale and all Mt once there
was a curious pounding IN his ears.
No! 1t simply can't he! He would have
told me-"
ut seems that he did not. His daugh-
ter married against his wishes, and he
never forgavo her She is now widow.
n confirmed invalid, and very poor Her
child. n girl OF 20, is working beyond her
strength for the bare necessities of life.
] sent word to them, but 1t appears they
did not receive II in time to come"
There was a silence which neither OF
the two seemed disposed to break Dicks
forehead gllstened with perspiration. He
swept a shaking hand across It,
"Of course / understand why you tell
me this" he cried huskily you think
have no right TO the property and
should give It up!''
The old minister frowned and was
silent Dick glanced lingeringly around
the room.
~ won't do IL" he cried with half angry
vehemence. "If Mr.. Chiffon had wanted
his daughter to have II he would have left
Il to her. It's mine-mine! intend to
keep it''
Mr. Robbins rose and picked UP his hat
from the table.
~ regret exceedingly your decision" he
said coldly. Frankly, I'm disappointed
In you. Goodnight, sir" And he walked
out of the room.
Dick sat for long time gazing into
the fire. His cheeks were flushed. The