The Meeker herald., 1918-02-09
THE BULK OF
AN ESTATE
By HELEN APHERsoN

any more no one except herself was
aware of 1t. for she lived very plainly.
She had one son, whom she treated in
such manner as to best prepare him to
work out for himself an honorable Gu
reer John Barlow was not cOddled:
he was forced to work for every bit OF
pocket money he spent.
When John was eighteen years old
he was offered n position In distant
city, and 1t was considered advisable
by his mother and himself that he
should accept 1t. Mrs. Barlow had
lived so long In her home that she pre-
fcrred not to lenve 1t. and John went
alone to his new field OF labor. His
mother. being lonely after Ills dcpar-
turc. adopted the child OF II friend who
died, Mary Chamberlip, twelve years
old.
, When Mary ry , became q: r. n sne
tow consulted with her constantly In
making up her mind In matters OF I'M
portance. The girl had the gift of
common sense. which probably Is as
rare and as valuable gift us can lie
bestowed upon any one.
| While John Barlow was passing the
period from eighteen to twenty-six
away from his mother Mary Chamber
lin was passing from twelve to twenty
In close connection with that mother.
After Mary had lived with Mrs. Bar
tow some six or seven years the old
lady was puzzled to know just how
to leave ut her death some $4,000 she
possessed. The income was about suf-
ficient to give Mary IA living; divided
1t would not. John was doing well In
business and did not need 1t. Rnt
John was Mrs. Bartow's own son, and
she did not like to deprive him OF her
property at her death. especially II she
left 1t to one In whom he Ind no III
terest. Sho said nothing as to this
to either John or Mary. and 1t is ques
tionable II either thought about 1t.
Finally Mrs. Barlow fell Ill. John
went home quite often during her ILL.,
ness and was greatly relieved. when
obliged to depart, to leave her under
the care Of Mary Chambcrlin. Indeed
he was conscious that II he Ind been
able to remain with his mother he
could not have nursed her us Mary
did. Though he had regarded Mary as
Of practical value to his mother, he
had not before realized what there was
In her.
One day John received n message
That Ills mother was ut the point Of
death. He hurried home. but did not
arrive In time to find her alive. Mrs.
Bartows death seemed to affect Mary
more than 1t did John. The one Ind
been In constant communication with
her for years: the other Ind been sep
arated from her.
This Is hard on you. Mary" said
John. mot only In deprivlny you of one
to whom you are attached, but In your
living"
Mary looked at him as though she
had not thought Of this, but made no
reply.
but do not trouble yourself on that
score" John continued. 81 will sec
that you get on"
When Mrs. Bartow's will was open
cd 1t was found to read: II give and
bequeath my twenty mortgage bonds
of the II. l.. and r. railroad to Mary
| Chamberlin, who has long been n
daughter to me. The residue and far
more valuable part Of my fortune be-
Queath to my beloved son. John Bar
tow, hoping that 1t may bring him as
much comfort as 1t has me. He will
find 1t in bureau dra wer in my bed
ROOM
John congratulated Mary on being
left with an income at the same time
manifesting surprise that his mother
had left an estate so large that she
should also have been able to leave
him the more valuable pnrt Of her
property. After congratulnting Mary
he went to the bureau drawer to pos
sess himself of his Inheritance. When
lie came back Mary was waiting for
him. eager to know.what lie had found.
| but John. who did not show by his
expression that he had acquired for
tune. said nothing. Mary was not the
| girl to nsk him questions and refrain
cd. John, however took her hand and
pressed 1t. as much as to say: DO not
| fear that I covet your inheritance. ]
am well satisfied with What my moth
er has done"
The house In which his mother had
lived belonged to John. He told Mary
she was free to remain In 1t without
rent II she chose. She said tenrfully
TINT she would be too lonely there and
would seek another home. but where
that home would be she did not know.
Then John told her that II she would
marry him she would find home so
far as he could make It one. She de-
INJURED on the ground that he made
the offer out of love for his mother
she need have no fear Of that; he need
cd her more than she needed him. Be-
fore John was ready to leave she had
accepted his offer. and when he went
she went with him.
Not long after they were married