The Press., 1917-02-08

old gentleman did not send to the club for Tom, but he did send to his home after II 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 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 unprofitable affairs and spent very little of his time at home. But the un- cle made no mention to any one of his discoveries He did job of thinking over the matter and came to some con- clusiOns 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 him-Tom 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 l had been any unfavOrable turn. But 1 ResS. 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. Ress had been ill on several Oc- casions, and q doctors bill to con | siderable amount had accumulated.
 Perhaps if they had applied to MT. 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. If they could worry along till he had passed away they could pay all their bills a hundred times over. So they concluded to endure the situation. But Tom as his uncle's feebleness in creased rather increased than dimin- ishcd his personal expenditures, bank ing on his soon possessing fortune.
 When Mir. Buddington passed from earth he did so without warning. He died so suddenly that his nephew did not have time to reach him to bid him goodby and receive his blessing. When he reached the house where the rich man lay he received something that he did not appreciate as he would have appreciated a blessing. The house keeper handed him a note written by .he deceased shortly before his death which read as follows:
 My Dear Nephew-T have led you to be- l lieve that at my death you would inheri 1 what I have been 8 lifetime In accumulat' | ing. During the last few years l have 1 concluded that you are not safe persoT | to be intrusted with a fortune. l have | therefore decided to place my estate 1T 
 for this. I have always been very fond o you and am fond of you still. Goodby 1 Your affectionate UNCLE.
 Tom staggered under the blow. His bNife. who was with him and read the letter over his shoulder, took him 1T sSher arms. She was too disappointed No speak encouragingly to him, but .gpoke no word of reproach Sadly Rthey left the house, the wife looking the future in the face resolutely, th' thusband limp as cloth.
 b When the win was opened Tom ana fhis wife were present more out O curiosity than anything else, thougl they thought that some mement' might be left them. The will wa very short, reading as follows:
 q give and bequeath to Blizabetl Buddington, wife of my nephew Thomas R. BuddingtOn, all my proper ty, real and personal"
 Tom looked at Bess, and Bess loOke' at Tom. Then the woman took tn mans hand in hers, and what she fel was indicated by pressure.
 It was evident that MT. BuddingtoI had noted the difference between tn two--that the wife was fitted to dis penSe an income and that the husban' was not During the years that the, enjoyed their inheritance Bess conscl entiously carried out the intent of tn
 will and resisted all attempts of he husband to induce her to turn the fO1 tune over to him or to permit him t
 have anything to say in its manage ment or the disposition of the income.
 But she was very liberal with him not grudging him any reasonable sun making sure, however, that it wa
 spent for a legitimate purpose.
 ! ALm