Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-05-24
AN AMATEURS WILL
: Girl Typlst's Document Brings
Happiness to Two.
BY A. O. GREENWOOD.

~ was q WhA-dll WAA
written on blue fooiscap.
The money of which l should die
In possession. amounting to $4,000,
Will be found In notes In the secret
drawer of the Patsea oakchest. To
open the receptacle, press the fingers
Of the right hand upon the Ave small
knobs in the margin of the second
panel on the righthand side; with the
thumb touch the inlaid rose In the
center Of the the side panel. On
opening the chest 1.-The drawer will be
found open also"
read thus far, then vaguely won
dered II the secret drawer had been
discovered. I glanced at the date of
the will and the name, address and
description Of the testator-sinoe 1890,
when Erasmus Whitehead, sculptor,
wrote these directions, the money had
lain hid! Where had the old eccen-
trfc livedH At Mrs, Pelham's. 90 Mar
ianetta Terrace, Chelsea.
made up my mind to call at 30
right away.
Erasmus Whitehead Dead these
twenty years." pulled an old woman
who opened 22's blistered door to me.
Lodged with me thirty years, he did,
and his good lady, too, while she drew
breath. Miss Jan does now, an a
sweeter body you'll not meet In all
Lon'on-no. that you won't, an l
don't care who says sol"
Mrs. Pelham showed me up to a
little sitting room Jan Whitehead
opened the door.
Her dress was plain, but her sweet
ness was enough to keep any ass of
thirty Qike myself tongue-tied and
staring like a raw youth from the
country.
found my tongue and plunged into
explanations. Erasmus was her I'M
Gle. He was supposed to have died
lntestate. He had left nothing.
On ! went about my discovery and
the chest.
THE Patsea chestl" she echoed in
despair and her mouth trembled.
oh. oh, it's soldl"
Twas old Sydney-Jacob Sydney
who bought 1t, dearie," observed
Mrs. Pelham. THE shop disappeared
ten year ago"
I'll try to trace It," said Jan.
And thank you ever 80 much for be-
ing 80 kind"
Tin only too glad to help you in
any way" | suffered and departed,
leaving my card.
wanted to see her again.
thought out a thousand plans, a bill
lion excuses.
But l never saw her Seven whole
wasted days passed. Then had o
note.
Dear Mr.. Oakley" It ran
Il have been fortunate enough to
trace the chest. but am unable to
open the secret drawer. Could you
help me? I am In some haste, and
would count myself even deeper in
your debt If you would come to my
aid. l shall be In after $3.50 each
night, II you could spare me Ave min
utes. Yours sincerely,
Jan WHITEHEAD.
Spare her five minutesl Five yearsI
Five lives II had EN-.
At the end OF the road met her
She was obviously pleased ION the
beastly chests account OF course).
Mrs. Pelham hustled up to watch
proceedings. examined the chest
bosses, knobs, inlaid strips and the
rose. Then opened the lid. A floor
panel had risen; from 1t, to one side,
obtruded a drawer Jan bent down,
Mrs. Pelham lowered her head, pant
ing. stood up, sharp pain in my
heart
It was empty. Whatever It had
contained had been distracted.
Jan Strengthened and walked to the
window, Mrs. Pelham subsidized into
q chair and blubbered.
"Forgive-how foolish you must
think mel" she said, trying to smile
"a plteous attempt that shook a
shower of tears from Der trimming
eyes. II had been silly enough to
be too sangline."
Silence fell--a strained silence
Then she told me Of her hunt for the
purchaser OF the chest. She had
found Jacob Sidney In a back street
In Putney, whether he had gone on
giving up the shop. Fortunately
fortunately as she then thought-he
had taken a fancy to the Patsea chest
The old man was Ill; she had not
been allowed to see him, and 1t was
only at a vastly enhanced price that
he consented to sell--$250 she told me
with a SILVER.
I've never felt so utterly wretched.
so entirely despairing, as I did all
that night, and the next day-till an
hour after John King had left me.
I'm worried" old King had growl-
ed.
IT'S q grit typist--in the office.
I've always thought her as honest as
daylight. A day or SO ago she came
to me In a state of nervous excite
ment She's been with US six years
since she WAS eighteen-else she
wouldn't have asked nor | been 80
foolish as to give In. She asked point
blank for a loan Of $3.50. No wonder
you jump" he growled. She promis.
ed to repay within forty-eight hours.
She was certain of her ability; some
money had come TO her unexpected.
ly. let her have 1t. I trusted her
implicitly, tell you. Today she
came TO me. white as a sheet, her
eyelids swollen with tears, big blue
rings around her eyes, absolutely
ashamed Of herself. and confessed she
couldn't pay"
"Whats her manner" | asked as care
iessly rs ! could