Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-08-11

walked on together. He asked her sew
eral questions about the town, the
neighbOrhood, the Dodd place. She an
swered him promptly and intelligently.
He led the. conversation to the heir of
the estate.
She did not know him, she informed
Burton. He referred to the possible
disappointment of the nearest of kin to
old Phineas Dodd. Did she know her?
Oh, yes, Burton had heard that Miss
Eugenia Blake had very independent
spirit. Quite so-and that she was
handsome? His companion avoided
his glance and said nothing. By this
time they had come in sight of the
mansion and the girl went her way but
the memory of her charming ingenious
ness remained with Burton.
He was met at the DOdd mansion
by the keeper, an elfsh, weazen-faced
old man. who showed him over the
house and attended to his needs dur
ing the ensuing two days. Twice,
rambling over the surrounding country.
Burton came across the young lady he
had met the day of his arrival. They
became quite friendly and he made up
his mind that when he came to settle
permanently in the old home he would
know more of her.
Then came a vast surprise the after
noon that Burton had arranged to re-
turn to the city. The keeper came to
him. crafty expression on his face.
give got something to sell to you be-
fore you leave here" he observed.
"Indeed?"
"Yes, I want a thousand dollars for
it. A week ago ] discovered some
thing in the desk of my old employer
that the lawyer had overlooked. I am
sure you will realize it's value when I
tell you that it is the latest will of Mr..
Dodd, and leaves the property to Miss
Blake, as he originally intended"
For q moment Burton was stunned.
Then his true nature came out. The
crafty bargainer produced the docu-
ment in question, with the threat that
he would go with it to Miss Blake If
the bride was not paid.
Calmly Burton wrote out a check for
the amount demanded. He returned to
the city, sought out the lawyer, recited
the whole transaction, gave up the new
will and--his brief dream of wealth
was over
Burton did not go back to his old
work. He secured employment with
new firm. About all he allowed to re-
main in his mind concerning his tenn
pOrary and inglOrious career as an
heir, was a memory of the sweet face
of the girl he had met at Wildemere.
One day the lawyer sent for him.
"Mr. Burton" he said bluntly. Miss
Blake has refused to inherit under the
new will you discovered unless you re-
ceive one-half of the estate"
"Nonsense!" spoke Burton definitely.
81 haven't the vestlge of a claim to a
penny Of it,"
"She thinks differently. I told you
once what a headstrong, Independent
young lady she was She is in the adj
joining room and wishes to see you.
Let me remark incidentally" and there
was a gentle glow in the eyes of the
advocate, that your noble action in re-
gard to the will has won her profound
est admiration"
Burton stood rooted with amazement
as he recognized In the heiress the
nameless young lady of his dreams.
81 cannot consent to accept that to
which have no legal or moral right"
he said, when they finally became en-
gagged In general conversation.
"Then / can destroy the will" was
the positive rejoinder. "Mr. Burton,
you are man among million and you
! must share this fortune with me-"
And then her eyes fell. for his, full
of ardor, were gazing longingly into
her own, and in their depths she read
the love she knew she could return.