The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-05

answer to Betty's question "but I did not think 1t was necessary to answer ii. Of course I am sorry to hear about your father but I do not really feel that he has any legal claim upon me. He forfeited any good will he might expect me to have for him by going off in that fashion
 What do you mean?' gasped Bet ty. ' Do you intend to take advan- tage of one who had always been so good to you?''
 Well. if that's the way you want to look at it.
 But Bertram, father has done everything for you. You have some thing that was in his power to give you and now do you mean to tell me that you will steal his money like that?" Betty cried indignantly.
 Come now, don't make a scene. Eva and I are quite decided. No mat ter how our actions look to you we know our rights and we mean to have them. Besides 1t is no concern of yours."
 At this Jack could contain himself no longer. Although he had not been included in the conversation he de- termined to speak I'll be hanged ii it isn't our concern as well as yours. If you think we are going to let you cheat that poor old man out of his money you are very much mistak- en-"
 "No one asked your opinion" sneer- CT Bertram. If you can't keep quiet you had better leave. You are not member of the Knight family. What do you mean by accusing me of cheat ing Uncle Rufus out of his money? I want you to understand that l am the legal owner of all this property. Uncle Rufus made over everything that he had in the world a short time before he started on his trip. Of course Ire took a good sum of money with him, Enough to last kim on his travels year or more. I suppose you have al- ready got hold of that" he sneered. But I shall not forgive him for going off without telling us his plans and now he can look out for himself''
 I don't believe word of that is the truth.' said Jack sternly, "I shall put the matter in the hands of good lawyer at once'
 You will only waste your money if you do," snapped the other. Look at this,' and he went over to the writing table and took out an impos- ing legal looking document. Read this, both of you. Then you will un- 5 really is.''
 Together they hurriedly scanned the paper. Apparently it was a pcoperly executed deed of gift. signed anl sea:- ed making over to Bertram the whole of the property belonging to said Ru- fus Knight
 You see you haven't a leg 10 stand on." went on BertraIn coolIy. "He did that voluntarily and he can't get out of 1t. Go and see sl lawyer, if you have money to throw away. They may take your dollars hut they vii! laugh at you for trying to rl"tke q dncument like Il ai null and void. It can't be donc."
 "Bertram, just think Of what you are doing! Even if you are right leg ally, have you no sense of moral right? Unless you do what is right by my father his money will never bring you happiness. That is not just superstition; it $ something deeper than that"
 Now, Betty, don't start to preach. Of course you and your husb and would like to get hold of the money. I can understand ttlc perfectly and in q sense sympathize with you but don't start talking aoout moral and legal tight. You haze co moral right to a penny of his for you know h, wrote to you that he never wanted to see or hear from you again. Of course, now, poor man, he is too helpless to protest. Don't you think perhaps yCu exceeded your mora. rIgnr when you took him frC:n tle institution where he was so comfortable and made him to live with g child he had cast fH and he- nuhhard whom he abEored?"
 ''Oh, Bertro:n. how ran you be so hJrd-hea- '' and :ho tears came 70 B, tty's eyes as she thought Of the pt or old mar at f. r. who followed her about ai. Csy se- rliHg to he hap Ty only wucl ho vas with h-r or WE tching at the window for Jack 1o c, up cne pa:h :r, m his wo K.
 But Jac< lad s'ea2ned the i q U. lis endurance. "Yor are behaving Ike scrou1d; els, The l. ir of yol. Yol are taking H n.eAr advantage of d stricken old man. Whatever he meant by that document you have there. he never thought that he would one day find himself a Dcuniless invalid at your mercy! Legal right is a poor cloak to hide cruelty and dishono-. It shines right through. However. Mr. Knight shal not want for single thing if J can help it. Come Betty. let's go. but" turning 10 Bert ard Eva who wee standing win a half grin on their faces, " some day you will wish you had done differently"
 It was some time after Betty and Jack had gained the street before either of them spoke. and then it was .Betty that broke the silence.
 Can't something be done, dear?'' she asked.
 T don't know, and I don't want to do anything if I can" he replied. Let them stick to their iH-gotten gains. We can look after your father all right. I would sooner die than take a penny of the money. We will leave everything as it is. Perhaps some day your father will recover his speech and his memory and then he will know what to O.He can take action himself then"
 When they reached home very tired and dispirited they found Mrs. Brown awaiting them. As they came in she burst into tears and 1t was some time before she was quieted down enough