The Meeker herald., 1919-04-26
SUDDEN CLIMAX
sy WALTER !. DELANEY.
'copyrisht. 1913. western Newspaper Union

You COulO nave AhVSAeu
Locke down with q feather when ne
was unexpectedly informed that he was
a rich man. The law firm Of Peale q
Gregory had sent him q letter asking
him to call at their ONCE on a matter
of importance and urgency. and the
first words of the senior partner OF the
arm fairly stunned Locke.
1--WE have sent for you to Inform you
that you are the sole heir to the estate
of your relative, Ira Dowell." he pro-
nounced.
"Why!" Involuntary exclaimed
Locke-T did not know that my fa-
TIERS cousin was dead"
"A month since." enlightened the
other, "He has left you all he had
his old home at Grassmere. about eight
thousand dollars in cash and a quarry
enterprise. which represents his prin-
cipal investment"
"You-you amaze mel" stammered
forth Locke.
1t had struck Locke all Of a heap.
Never In his widest dreams had he
even fancied such windfall as this.
Ira Dowell he had seen exactly twice
In his lifetime.
"Mr. Dowell was q strange man." fell
upon his ears In the dreary tones Of
the lawyer. "He was pestered to death
with mendicant or sycophantic rela-
lives waiting for him to die. Their
petty meannesses disgusted him. He
liked the way you buckled down to
safe habits and hard work and his es-
tate is yours. There II Grassmere. and
you will have ample ready funds. Al
to the quarry property. that Is In litiga-
ton. A claimant who was q former
partner Of Mr.. Dowell has tied 1t up
with an injunction. There Is no doubt.
however, that we will beat him out. for
We have money and he has none."
II was a strange experience, that IT
the following week. for Alton Locke.
He gave q farewell dinner Of sumptu-
Gus proportions to his fellow clerks At
the store. A string Of them later Wis
tied him at his hotel. When Locke
started from the city he carried In his
pocket memoranda Of a. many as .
dozen so-called loans. negotiated BY his
impecunious friends.
1t was worse at Grassmere. Locke
found 1t to be 4 beautiful place and
planned how. as q gentleman farmer.
life would be enviable. Then there
swarmed down upon him q horde OF
hungry distant relatives. Most OF them
had never heard Of him before. but all
professed the deepest regard for him.
They ate at his table, some from . dis
lance took up their abode with him. A
widow. q forty.nfth cousin. wheedled
him out Of I'VE hundred dollars. One
Cousin Felix, q hoary-headed old fFaud
and idler. persuaded Locke to buy out
q little business in the town for him.
proceeded to mortgage It promptly and
sold out his equity before he actually
began business.
Locke was 10 harnssed BY his new.
found relatives that he decided he
would leave Grassmere in charge Of
the caretaker. and not settle down per.
manently until he had definitely per.
fected his plans for tho future. In his
secret heart he dreamed Of . mistress
for the palatinl old mansion. This was
how 1t was:. At Ripton. where he had
worked before going to the city. he
had become casually acquainted with
an old man named Robert Warren.
One evening. calling upon him. he
found his daughter. Nina. at home. She
was to spend q weeks vacation from q
seminary. Mr.. Warren had . pitifully
small income. but he managed to keep
his daughter at school, She and Locke
became congenial frienda Then the
start Of . romance ended for her back
at her lessons and for Locke at his new
post Of duty In the city.
To Ripton he proceeded now. but not
to call upon Mr.. Warren. Many time
the old man had referred to q valid
claim he held In litigation, and had
mourned the lack Of thousand dollars
70 push II to an issue. His earnestness
had deeply impressed Locke. who
sought out the attorney whom Mr..
Warren had named a. representing his
interests.
II wish to loan . client Of yours Q
thousand dollars" he impaired to the
lawyer. ''but don't wish him to know
that I am interested In the transac-
ton"
Naturally the lawyer was In com.
plets harmony with any arrangement
that would bring him fee. He would
shield Locke BY pretending to advance
the money himself. and Locks went
back to the city feeling that b had
oons Q good deed.
THAT Injunction suit" spoke his own
attorney. q few days later-~we viii
have to discuss II. The other side.
fancied. had about exhausted funds
and fighting spirit. but We received .
visit from Ripton attorney today who
threatens to carry It to higher court
His client. Mr.. Warren"
mot Mr.. Robert w&rrear cried
l0cke electrically.
sWhy. do non knog himfs