Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-10-16
CHAPTER LXX.
wright, 1919, Star Company.

office of Henry Andrews. giving
courteous heed to what the lawyer
was saying about stocks. bonds and
other investments. David hoped he
seemed to understand all that was
said.
Outwardly he was calm. Inward
ly his mind was in a turmoil.
1t was almost an hour since the
truth had been communicated to
him, he reflected, glancing at the
clock on the desk near which he
sat. An hour since he had been
told that his uncle Francis De
Laine, in dying had left a large for
tune, and that he, David Smith De-
Laine was the only heir.
Mr.. Francis DeLaine had made
no regular will" the lawyer had
explained. But, strange to say,
only a few weeks ago he wrote to
me about a little business transac-
! ton l had with him years ago. In
that letter he told me that he was
not well, and said he supposed that
when he died his brothers son
would be the heir. He added that
the law would make a good enough
will for him, and that, although
. he knew little about you, he sup
! posed you were all right-that he
! got what he went west to get, and
| cared very little what became of
it after he was dead. He was very
| eccentric, you know"
Yes, so I have heard my aunt
say" David replied.
He was glad he could speak a
| short sentence sedately. He started
now, as Andrews turned to him
| with
"I hope I make all these matters
plain to you, Mr.. DeLaine"
"Oh-ah-yes, I hope so.'' he said
with a half smile. ITO tell the.
truth, Mr.. Andrews, I can scarcely
grasp what all this means. But I
want to put my affairs in your
hands-and later I hope to be more
clear than I am to-day"
Henry Andrews flushed with
pleasure. thank you, Mr.. De-
Lame. I shall do my best by you
as it was always my pleasure to do
by your aunt. l feel honored that
you aud she should repose so much
confidence in me. And 1 congratu-
late you on the acquisition of this
fortune, my dear sir. l only wish
that your aunt could have known Of
it"
Perhaps she does know now,"
the young man remarked gravely.
SC1I III Ine AIT
But the lawyer was not given to
who had passed from mortal sight,
so he changed the subject
You know that the matter of
the settlement of your aunt's es-
tate must hang fire for some time
to come. You are her possible
heir until two years after her
death. Then, If you have not COM
piled with the terms she named,
the property passes to Various
charities"
Yes, know" David said quickly.
II authorize you to pass it on now
Andrews shook his head. That
is something you have nothing to
do with my dear sir. Unless
Ntend to comply with your aunt's re-
quest"
David flushed hotly. "My aunt
was aware that had never met
the young lady in question when
! she made that will" he said. II
cannot understand her suggesting
such an arrangement"
| We'll, she had an eccentric
! streak in her makeup. as her
brother Francis had - if you will
allow me to speak frankly. i may
add that have never seen sign
! of it in you-except with a little
| laugh) in your neglecting to meet
| the girl of whom your aunt was so
! fond. l understand that she is very
| lovely" '..
"I have no doubt of it." was the
reply. But the fact that my aunt
was determined to throw me at her
head was enough to make me wish
| to save the poor young lady the
trouble of dodging."
He felt a strange delight in talk
| ing of this girl whom he loved to
man who did not suspect that he
had ever seen her.
Well" the lawyer said confden-
| TALLY, there is now no harm in my
telling you that your dear aunt
complained to me that Miss Leigh
ton seemed quite as averse to meet
her."
"Ah?" s.t -.
The interrogative exclamation
was non-commital, but it was the
only word that David could say at
that instant. Then he added lamely
and with an effort at a laugh:
Il can hardly blame her.
He Thanks the Lawyer
After listening to a few more re-
marks on business matters, David
arose and held out his hand.
L thank you very sincerely for
the trouble you are taking for me,
Mr.. Andrews"
He had never had a lawyer be-
fore and did not know IL this was
the kind of things one should say to
his legal advisor Yet he did feel
grateful to him.
What are your plans for tho
Winter-if 1t Is not impertinent to
ask?" Andrews questioned
To tell the truth" David con- |
fessed. II do not know. 1 have
made none"
Why not take run out West