The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-10

of great estates. Brito Telfair-
Jack vaguely recalled the name as
that of the head of the branch
that had stopped in England
sought to get possession of her.
As he pondered Jack had been
pacing slowly homeward. A voice
startled him and he swung around
to face his body servant, Cato, a
negro few years older than him
self.
Cato was painting. "Massa Col
onels home, sah,' he gasped. IAN
he want you, sab. He's in a pow
| full hurry"
Jack stared at the boy. Faith
er home!" he exclaimed, half to
himself. Il didn't expect him for
| hours"
Colonel Telfair was striding ex-
citedly up and down tine wide
veranda.
Jack quiekened his steps. Il
| didn't know you were back, faith
err" he declared. I'm glad you
are, sir. I've news, important
news"
The elder Telfair scowled
News, have you, SIR" he rum
bled. so have |. Come inside.
quick, and we'll exchange" Turn
ing, he led the way through a
deep hall into a great room.
Now, sir, tell your news" he
| ordered "I'll warrant it's short
and foolish"
"Perhaps!" Jack grinned: he
and his father were excellent
friends. Did you know, sir, that
our kinsman, DelarOche Telfair,
was dead, leaving daughter who
is a ward Of Tesumseh, the Shaw
nee chief"
The elder Telfair blinked.
You've had a letter, too?" he
gasped.
"A letter? No sir; l met an
Indian"
An indiana" -
Yes. A Shawnee from Ohio, a
messenger from Tecumseh. Della
roche seems to have pledged him
to call on us in case certain things
happened. They have happened
and he has sent for me to come
and get the girl"
"Look--look at this, jack
the elder man held out an open
letter. II got it at Montgomery"
Jack took the letter and I'M
folded 1t. Then he looked at his
father in amazement. 49,
tits from Capron, the lawyer
for the Telfair estates in France"
interjected the elder man. AIt's
In French, of course. Read II
aloud! Translate it as you CO."
This was what Jack read:
My Dear Sir 1t is my sad duty
to appraise you that my so justly
honOred patron, Louis, Count of
TeIfair, passed away on December
3, 1911. The succession to the
title and the estate now falls to
the descendants of his brother, NJ.
Delaroche Telfair, who, as you of
course know, emigrated to Amer
let In 1890, and settled at Gallip-
oils, on the Ohio.
Among the papers of my so
noble patron, just deceased, l
have found a letter, dated June
10, 1900. This letter inclosed
certificates of the marriage at
Marietta, o., of NJ. Delaroche Tel
fair to Mile. Margaret DE la War,
on June Is, 1904, and OF the birth
of a daughter, Estclle, on October
o, 1905. The originals appear to
be on file ut Marietta.
In default of possible son
the title of Count Of Telfair de-
wolves on NJ. BritO Telfair of Eng
land. Your own line comes last.
The estates go to the Lady Estelle
Telfair, or, II she be deceased, to
Count BritO TeIfair.
Not knowing where to reach
the Lady Estelle Tor other de-
scendants of NJ. Delaroche), 1 adj
dress you, asking that you convey
to her my most humble felicita-
lions.
cannot close, my dear sir,
without a word of caution. The
Lady EstelIe would appear to be
about II years of age. Her prop.
erty in France is of a value most
great. Adventures will surely
seek her out, and she will need
friends. Above all she should not
be allowed to fall into the hands
Of NJ. Brito, who would undOubt.
eddy wed her out of all hand to
gain possession of her estates.
To you, beloved of my master
the count, appeal to save and
protect his heiress from those he
SO execrated.
,, Il have the honor, my very deaf
sir, to be your Obedient servant,
HENRI CAPRON, AvOcat.
POstcriptum-I open thfs u
add that i have just learned tina,
NJ. Brito sailed with his regiment
for Montreal q month ago.. He n
of repute the most evil.
Jack crumpled the letter in hi
hand. THANK heaven Tecumset
remembered Delaroche's warn
ing," he cried. But let M tel
you my story" &H
Rapidly Jack recounted thescir,
cumstances of the Shawnee's visit
and recited the message he had
brought. -
And so 1t was that Jack Te1faij