The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-02-05
THE SETTLEMENT
~ JOSEPHINE MURPHY.

In her youth Janet H had known
every luxury. Her father had been a
wealthy merchant. Many wooers had
sought her hand, but only one had made
favorable impression on the girls
mind. His name was Ralph B. and
he earned his bread as reporter on
the stan Of q daily newspaper.
On such q person Mr.. H was
not disposed to bestow his daughter.
His success In business had turned his
head and he looked forward to Janet
marrying one of higher social stand
ing.
Ralph met with only cold glances
| from Mr.. and Mrs H when he en-
-countered them. Gradually his visits
ceased. and before the collapse of Mr.,
H-'s business the young man had
gone, no one knew where or whittier ;
| few cared.
Neither Mr. H. or his wife long
survived their change In fortune. The
former had invested all the money
he could raise in a new, and as 1t
turned out, bogus company. Thus
Janet was entirely unprovided for
She entered the Mayton hospital.
from which she later graduated as a
private nurse.
Her first case was with Norman
W, an old man of very comfort
able means. Here she remained as
his nurse and faithful servant until
death called him.
His entire property was bequeathed
to her at his death. The antiques and
curious old statuary Of the mansion
held strange charm for her.
About week after Mr.. VS.
death she was sitting In the library
| reading when the sound Of an auto
brushing the curb came to her ears.
4 Laying aside the book, she arose from
her chair and started to walk toward
the window. but was interrupted by a
knock on the library door. To her an
swer the maid announced that young
man wished to see her.
CHANGING at the card the maid had
handed her. Janet recognized the law
yer's name.
"very WELL" said Janet. "Show him
in"
"GOod evening, Miss H. l have
rather strange news for YOU" he re-
marked. as he sat down.
Proceed" said Janet.
"Well," began the lawyer. sit appears
In some valuable papers Of Mr.. W
that he did have a married daughter,
who. through some family disagree
ment. had left her fathers home. The
girl has since died. but her only child.
now a young man. still survives, and
he has put In claim for his mothers
| share of the property. have come to
inform you beforehand. / shall bring
this young man TO see you tomorrow
and we shall decide what further pro-
ceedings shall take place"
certainly said Janet. II shall be
very glad to give up that which be-
! longs to another"
/ After he left she sighed gently. She
wondered IL she would now have to
face the cold world again. She had,
however, managed to save neat sum
thus she would not be utterly penni-
less and after a short rest she would
start out once more.
The next morning found the lawyer
and Mr.. VS. grandson on their
way to the mansion. AS the young
man entered his eyes opened in won
derment. as did Janet's, at the an
tiques. etc.
"Say," he gasped. "This is some
thing worth while looking for"
They had finally reached the library
and had been seated but few min
utes when Janet entered.
"Janetl Miss H never
thought. never imagined / should see
your
"And you. RafrA B.. are Mr.,
VS. grandson?'
$50 II seems" said Ralph.
81 am so glad. so gsadi cried Janet.
did I not mention Miss rs
mmer" the lawyer questioned. 81
must have been unusually stupid"
Ralph did not answer. He still held
Janet's hand. and ut length the lawyer
90 far recovered his wits as to quit
the room.
when he next saw the tive no men.
tion was made Of Janet's desire to re-.
| linquish the estate, and the lawyes
put forth tentative query.
"Settiemeatw
-Oh, yes. We have arrived at . set
tiement.~ Ralph said. with q joyous
laugh. ''sincs Janet has consented t.
marry me-"