Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-09-09
CHAPTER LIV.
pyright. 1919. Star Company

IVY is III WV, Quar- SOIIlphhS
The letter from Miss De LANES
lawyer was not long. yet David read
and re-read it before its contents
began to assume their true signi-
ficance.
The letter informed him that his
uncle. Francis De Laine. had re-
Gently died in the Far West. and
that this news had been sent to
Henry Andrews-Miss Jeanne De
LANES lawyer-as the spinster had
been the dead mans next of kin.
From what 1 can gather"
Andrews wrote, with your aunts
death you became your uncle's heir.
He died childless and a bachelor.
l would, however, prefer talking
of writing about it. Please run on
to Baltimore at your early con-
yenience. The matter may be one
of great moment to you"
OF great moment to him! What
could this imply?
David De Laine recalled his last
conversation with Henry Andrews
The lawyer knew that the young
man was poor, that he had refused
to accept the terms of his aunt's
will by which he might acquire
comfortable income. Possibly
David's uncle had left q goodly sum
of money.
Only for a moment did the
nephew let himself entertain this
possibility. Then he remembered
that his Uncle Francis had been a
visionary person who had probably
gone through his fortune as quickly
as David's own father had gone
through his.
He might have left behind him
several hundred dollars hardly
more. But David was not in a
position to scorn even this small
sum. 1t would at least tide him
| over until he had secured a new
! position. This seemed like an
answer to his mental question as to
how he could live after he had
/ given up his present job and before
he secured another.
He would go to Baltimore as soon
as possible.
He would not mention where he
was going. but ask Samuel Leigh
ton If he could dispense with his
! services for a few days. 1t would
not do to name Baltimore, for if
Malter Jefferson were to tell the
Lelghtons that he had once met
smith in that city, David's mention
| of his destination might awaken
suspicious as to his identity.
a Welcome Release
Much as he dreaded leaving De-
siree' his heart grew light as he
appreciated that there was a
chahce OF his quitting the atmos-
| phere of uncertainty in which he
| had lived lately Now that he saw
way of escape he felt his present
situation as almost unendurable.
suddenly he decided to take i'm
mediate steps to change it perms :
hently. lie would write here ard
| now to his employer, announcing
mis- intention of giving up his place
as chauffeur.
He had written a part of a note
when he paused for reconsideration.
lie hoped his abrupt departure
might not cause Samuel Leighton
or ms daughter actual inconven-
ience. So he added paragraph to
guard against this. The epistle fin.
ished, he read it carefully.
Dear Sir" it ran. "a communi-
cation which 1 have just received
makes it advisable. for me to take a
trip to another city as soon as
practicable. Therefore. il conven-
lent to you. I will ask you to allow
me to give up my position with YOU.
l thank you for your kindness and
/ consideration to me while 1 have
been in your employ.
III you wish to communicate with
me. please write to me at the ad
dress at the head of this sheet
You may also mail my check to this
same address-paying me only up to
last evening. In leaving you with
out longer notice l forfeit-in nv
own eyes. at least-the right to NV
pay to the end of the week.
Respectfully yours David Smith -
Samuel Leighton had told his
chauffeur that he would not need
the car in the morning. If David
| attached extra stamps to this letter
marked it special delivery" and
mailed it now, his employer should
receive it early in the day. before
! leaving his house for his office.
! De Laine did not dare let himself
stop to think that perhaps he might
| never again see Desiree. Down in
the bottom of his heart lurked a
/ hope that Henry Andrews might
| have information for him that
would mike it possible for him to
reveal his identity to the Leightons.
/ Yet he would not dwell upon this
| fancy.
He Mails HIS Letter
He made a copy of his letter to
! Samuel Leighton. He wanted to be
able to recall exactly what he had
said His mind was too perturbed
just now for him to think very
clearly.
| Hurrying out to the post box at
the corner, he mailed the epistle.
then, returning to his room, paced
restlessly up and down until the
| lodger in the room below his
knocked on the ceiling to warn him
that quiet is desirable after mid
night.
Ashamed of his selfishness, David
removed his shoes, undressed quiet
! ly and went to bed.
| But not to sleep.
He lived over again the moment
he had been alone with Desiree, saw