The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-21

tune after his death because he coul,
not take it with him.
But for this reason and because /
had absorbed his whole life he wa
much concerned as to its going wher,
he wished to have 1t go when he coult
no longer use IT himself.
One evening he sent for Tom to com,
and see him. Tom was away from
home and had told his wife that b,
was going to meeting of household
ers of his ward to select a candidate
for councilman. Bess sent word t.
MFR. Buddington to that. effect, giyine
the place of the committee meeting
He telephoned there and was told thai
/ Tom had just left for his club. Mr.
Buddington had not been aware that
bis nephew was a member of a club
He had never considered that he could
afford such luxury himself and could
not see how Tom with his limited In.
come and family could do so. The
old gentleman did not send to the club
for Tom. but he did send to his home
his nephew had not yet returned.
When Tom came in at / o'clock in
the morning and learned that his uncle
had sent for him he was troubled. He
knew the old gentleman's proclivities
well and had not informed him Of any
expense that he incurred that his uncle
would consider he should avoid. He
went to see his uncle the next evening.
but the old man merely said that he
had wanted him to witness an impor-
tant document and. not reaching him.
had called In some one else.
This lulled Toms fears, and he did
not know that the willy old man,
through parties unknown to him or
Bess, had made inquiries which had
put him in possession of the situation
OF affairs in their household. He also
by similar indirect means learned that
Tom was inclined to take an interest
in Improbable affairs and spent very
little of his time at home. But the I'M
Gle made no mention to any one of his
discoveries. He did job of thinking
over the matter and came to some con-
illusions that would have caused his
nephew to open his eyes had he been
aware of the fact.
For awhile after his uncle had sent
for him-not to find hinton was un-
easy about going out But his uneasi-
ness did not last long. His uncle's
manner was the same that it had been,
and there was no indication that there
had been any unfavorable turn. But
Bess, who had been for a long while
striving to make ends meet, had been
unable to do so, and the family
financial affairs were on the ragged
edge. Bess had been Ill on several oc-
and Doctors bill to con-
amount had accumulated.
Perhaps IL they had applied to Mr..
he might have helped
them out Perhaps he might have told
them that if they had lived within
their income they would have provided
for the doctors bills as they occurred.
But they did not dare inform the old
man of their condition. He was get
ting feeble and might drop off any
day. IL they could worry along till he
had passed away they could pay all
their bills hundred times over So
they concluded to endure the situation.
But Tom as his uncle's feebleness In
creased rather increased than dimin-
shed his personal expenditures, bank
ing ON his soon possessing fortune.
When Mr.. Buddington passed from
earth he did so without warning. He
lied so suddenly that his nephew did |
lot have time to reach him to bid him
soodby and receive his blessing. When I
he reached the house where the rich |
nan lay he received something that he |
lid not appreciate as he would have |
appreciated a blessing. The house
Keeper handed him note written by
he deceased shortly before his death.
which read as follows:
My Dear Nephew-I have led you to be-
ieVe that at my death you would inherit
vhat have been a lifetime in accumulat-
ng. During the last few years / have
concluded that you are not a safe person
Q be intrusted with fortune. I have
therefore, decided to place my estate In
ther hands. Don't feel hard toward me
or this. have always been very fond of
.ou and am fond Of you still. Goodby.
four affectionate UNCLE.
Tom staggered under the blow. His
wife. who was with him and read the
etter over his shoulder, took him in
er arms. She was too disappointed
o speak encouragingly to him, but
poke no word of reproach. Sadly
hey left the house. the wife looking
he future in the face resolutely, the
limp as a cloth.
When the will was opened Tom and
is wife were present more out of
uriosity than anything else, though
hey thought that some memento
night be left them. The will was
cry short, reading as follows:
81 give and bequeath to Elizabeth
wife of my nephew,
'homas r. Buddington. all my proper
Y, real and personal"
Tom looked at Bess, and Bess looked
{ Tom. Then the woman took the
mans hand in hers, and what she felt
vas indicated by pressure.
1t was evident that Mr.. Buddington
ad noted the difference between the
the wife was fitted to dis
ense an income and that the husband
Tas not. During the years that they
njoyed their inheritance Bess consci-
carried out the intent of the
Fill and resisted all attempts of her
to induce her to turn the for
une over to him or to permit him to
ave anything to say in Its manage