The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-14

They are not likely to hide their lights
under a bushel. Buddington senior
held on to every cent he had and only
arranged for the disposition of his for
tune after his death because he could
not take it with him.
But for this reason and because IL
had absorbed his whole life he was
much concerned as to its going where
he wished TO have 1t go when he could
no longer use it himself.
One evening he sent for Tom to come
and see him. Tom was away from
home and had told his wife that he
was going to meeting of household
ers of his ward to select a candidate
for councilman. Bess sent word to
Mr.. Buddington to that effect, giving.
the place of the committee meeting.
He telephoned there and was told that
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 theclub
for Tom, but be did send to his home
after IL o'clock for him, to learn that
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 be 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 bis
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 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-
casions, and doctors bin to a con.
siderable amount had accumulated. J
Perhaps If they had applied to Mr.
Buddington 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 al
their bills hundred times over. 81
they concluded to endure the situation
But Tom as his uncle's feebleness in
creased rather increased than dimin
ished his personal expenditures, bank
ing on his soon possessing fortune
When Mr. Buddington passed from
earth he did so without warning. HI,
died so suddenly that his nephew die
not have time to reach him to bid hin
goodby and receive his blessing. Whei
he reached the house where the ricl
man lay he received something that h
did not appreciate as he would hav,
| appreciated a blessing. The house
keeper handed him note written b.
the deceased shortly before his death
which read as follows:
My Dear Nephew-I have led you to be
! licve that at my death you would inheri
what have been lifetime in accumulai
ing. During the last few years I hav
! concluded that you are not a safe perso
to be Entrusted with a fortune. / hav
therefore decided to place my estate
other hands. Don't feel hard toward m
| for this. have always been very fond {
! you and am fond of you still Goodbl
/ Your affectionate UNCLE.
Tom staggered under the blow. Hi
wife, who was with him and read th
letter over his shoulder. took him /
her arms. She was too disappointe
to speak encouragingly to him. bu
spoke no word of reproach. Sadl
they left the house, the wife lookin
the future In the face resoluteiy, th
husband limp as a cloth.
i When the will was opened Tom an
his wife were present more out {
curiosity than anything else, thong
they thought that some mement
might be left them. The will VIZ
very short, reading as follows:
al give and bequeath to Elizabet
Buddington, wife of my nepheN
Thomas R. Buddington. all my prope
ty, real and personal"
Tom looked at Bess. and Bess look
|. at Tom. Then the woman took Il
mans hand In hers, and what she fe
: was indicated by pressure.
r 1t was evident that Mr.. Buddingt'
had noted the difference between Z
d two-that the wife was fitted to d
. pense an income and that the husbai
: was not During the years that tn
b enjoyed their inheritance Bess cons
o entiously carried out the intent of t
o viii and resisted all attempts of b