Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-03-03
Continued from last week
XIV.

Walking III WITH Jonas HaSSlngDury,
talking. Both were in high good
humor, the attorney because of his
pleasant social success, the Branford
farmer because of the growing prob
ability of his good fortune. They stood
for a moment, looking about the studio,
and then Mr.. Doremus pointed to the
clock.
my word, Hassingbury, look at
that! It's after twelve o'clock already"
He extended his hand tremendously.
Permit me to congratulate you, sir,
upon your accession to the Bonistelle
%fortunei 1t is my practice, as you
know, never to take sides. Er-that
is, I seldom permit myself such parti-
sanship. So long. however, as fate has
decided in your favor, l take pleasure
in knowing that you are now the pos
SCISSOR of foul million dollarsi"
whats he talking about?" Rosa
mund whispered wildly.
why, it can't be-" Carolyn began,
but she was interrupted by the close
of the lawyers speech.
ut is, of course, to be regretted that
one of you must inevitably lose, ac-
cording to Bonistelle's will, and l am
profoundly sorry for Mr.. Hall Boni-
STEELE, our host, who naturally will be
disappointed"
Jonas ~Hassingbury, meanwhile, had
taken out his watch, and was compar.
ing it with the clock. "Er-of course
what's that you're saying?" he asked.
a little confused. "Oh, Hall! Yes.
yes, of course it is hard or Hall if l
get the money-but them" and he
Strengthened up and returned the
watch to his pocket-"he'd only throw
it away on some woman, and I'll put it
to good use. it's far better, after all,
that l should have it." He turned III
easily, to leave. 1t seemed strange
that he was no more excited or ex.
ultant.
The three listening women turned
silently to one another, each with a
look of amazement.
why, it can't be! What do they
mean?" Mrs. Royalton exclaimed. ooh,
Mr.. Doremus, just wait a moment,
please" He was about to follow Jonas,
when Carolyn darted to him and
caught him by his coat.
'Mr. Doremusi" she calculated. 81
heard something about Halls losing
money-his uncle's will, you know
that was a mistake, wasn't it,"
"How a mistake, Miss Dallysi ]
wasn't aware that you were interested
in the subject, and hardly know to
what you refer"
Why, it was all in the papers this
afternoon wasn't it? Everybody knows
about it,"
"Ah," said the lawyer, 81 would adj
wise you not to put too much faith in
the papers, Miss Dallys."
But it said that Hall would get his
uncle's money"
Rosamund, who had joined her,
broke inf he was married on or be.
fore his twenty-eighth birthday"
Mrs. Royalton was also in it, excited
ly-"And he's twenty-eight tomorrow
no, it's today!"
Mr.. Doremus stood, with his hands
behind his back, watching them i'm
passively. "Ah, my lear ladies, that
just shows how little one can depend
upon the daily press. On and after
reporters love such expressions. They
positively seem to think that no docu-
ment is complete without that par.
ticular term"
But isn't it ON or before'?" they
demanded.
Not at ali. Not at all. The phrase
is, to the best of my recollection, be
fore he has attained his ~twenty-eighth
birthday. In the Interpretation of the
law, ones birthday begins at midnight
preceding such date. Mr. Bonistelle's
chances for inheriting, therefore, lapse
at twelve o'clock"
One and all turned to gaze at the
clock. "And now, it's ten minutes
past!" cried Carolyn.
$50 it seems!" said Mr.. Doremus.
And now, ladies, is there anything
else 1 can do for you? If not, l must
rejoin Mr.. H~assingbury and discuss
his legal arrangements" With a low
bow he passed at once out of the room.
For a moment, the three ladies, nom
plused, were dumb. Then, slowly, Rosa
mund turned to Carolyn, all her rancor
gone. WELL" she said, don't that
beat anything you eve heard in your
life?"
1t was evident by Carolyn's ironic
smile that she considered the remark
inadequate, but even she could do no
better. Mrs. Royalton was more eff
fective. She burst into tears.
Rosamund began to storm. why,
it's no better than stealing! That's
the only word for It'll"
Lord, don't be a fool" said Carolyn
finally, 1--WE got the wrong tip. that's
all. But I seem to see, now. why Mr..
Hall was in so much of a hurry"
I'm going hnmein walled Mis-. Roy