New Britain herald., 1917-02-28
Why Madec Decided That She would
Not Use Jacks Legacy for Herself.

WHY N1dOSC OcCNIC(l 4 IltV SuC "OuNi
Not Use Jacks Legacy for Herself.
The expression of Dicky's eyes, L
he spoke of Mrs. Stewards message
concerning my brothcr-cousin's prop
erty warned me that a new and most
perplexing problem had come TO me
with Jack Bicketts DEATH
The shock of the news had cont
pletely put out of my mind the fact
that was the heircss to Jacks mod
est fortune.
When my brother-cousin had sailed
away to France and the great war he
had sent me letter of farewell, tell
ing me that if he should be killed
all that he possessed was to be mine.
And now the end had come. Some
where in the awful European hell
Jack was lying stark, probably un-
buried shivered as the horror OF
the thought struck me-and the
princely gift he had. left me was
only waiting for my hands to take it.
But I knew as well as if he had
spoken the words that Dicky was ut
terly opposed to my receiving this
gift at the hands of my brother-cousir
even though those hands were stiff
in death on a distant battlefield.
If my nerves had not been taut like
violin strings I should never have
made the mistake of speaking to
Dicky concerning the money when I
knew that he was still chatting under
the wild idea that Jack Beckett meant
more to me. dead, than he. my hus<
band had meant to me living. But
throwing common sense to the winds,
I shot a direct question at him.
do you object to my taking this
money, Dicky?" I asked, and my
voice was tense with emotion.
"Object!' the word came from
Dickys mouth explosively, then he
jumped to his feet and paced up and
down the room rapidly for a moment
or two. his jaw set. his eyes stern
When he stopped by the bed he had
evidently recovered his hold on HIM
self, but his words came quickly
jerkily, almost as if he were afraid
to trust himself to speak.
you are in no condition to discuss
this tonight" he said, dropping his
hand on my hair, I'VE will speak of
it again tomorrow, when you have
somewhat recovered. Now you must
try to go to sleep. I shall have to
call physician if you do not"
I seized the opportunity to dismiss
him.
"You are so thoughtful, Dicky
dear I murmured, and I felt a very
hypocrite as. 1 spoke. II believe I
can go to sleep now if the light is
urned out. 1 am perfectly all right
low, SO you run along to bed there's
!, good boy. I'll see you in the morn
n.y."
To my surprise and relief Dicky
made no opposition to my proposal.
lie kissed me goodnight, tucked me
lp warmly, opened the window, saw
hat my flashlight was within easy
each under my pillow. and, turning
,ut the electric lamp. went quietly out
IF the room.
I lay awake for hours debating the
problem which had come to me. I
saw clearly that Dicky did not wish
ne to take this bequest of Jacks. In
Iced, l knew that he expected me to
'efuse it. and that he would be Bit
erly disappointed if 7 did not do SO
My heart was hot, with rebellion. It
seemed like a proclamation Of Jacks
asst wish, like hurting a gift into the
ace Of the dead, to do as Dicky
Wished
My thoughts went back to my early
when my brother-cousin,
lack, was my constant playmate, then
travelled slowly in retrospect down the
years, every one of them punctuated