The Washington times., 1919-09-08
By Virginia Terhune Van
de Water.
NAuthoE Of many novels and enc OF
the eOuntry's best-knOWn writ"
ers Of short GtOFies.)
CHAPTER LIV.

N4uNloE OF many novels a24 one u
the eOuntry's best-kBOwn writ
erS Of short GtOFies.)
CHAPTER LIV.
THE letter from Miss PA LANES
lawyer was NOS kES, yet
David read and rOzesgE 4 it be-
fore its contents began to assume
their true significance.
The letter cSHSrmed 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 can gather"
Andrews wrote. with your aunt's
death you became your uncle's heir.
He died childless and a bachelor.
I would, however, prefer talking
this matter eE7E with you instead
OF writing E--El it Please run on
70 Baltimore at your early convent
ence. The matter may be one Of
great moment to you"
OF great moment 20 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 a
comfortable income. Possibly Da-
yid's uncle had left a goOdly sum Of
money.
Only for a moment did the nephew
let himself entertain this possibil-
fly. 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. II would at least tide him
over until he had secured q 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 90 TO Baltimore as
soon as possible.
He would not mention where he
was going, but ask Samuel Leigh
ton IL he could dispense with his
services for a few days. II would
not DO to name Baltimore, for il
Walter Jefferson were to tell the
Leightons that ne had once met
Smith in that city David's mention
or his destination might awaken
suspicion as to his identity.
A. Welcome Release.
Much as he dreaded leaving De-
stree. his heart grew light as he
appreciated that there was
chance Of his quitting the atmos-
phere Of uncertainty in which he
had lived lately. Now that he saw
a way OF escape he felt his present
situation as almost uncomfortable.
Suddenly he decided to take i'm
mediate steps to change it perma-
-nently. He would write here and
now 70 his employer, announcing
his intention Of giving up his place
as chauffeur.
He had written a part Of a note
vixen re paused for reconsideration.
He hoped his abrupt departure
might aoJ cause Samuel Leighton
or his daughter actual inconven-
fence. So he added a paragraph to
guard against this. The epistle fin
ished. he read il carefully.
Dear Sir" il ran. a communi-
cation which ] have just received
makes il advisable for me 10 take a
trip TO another city as soon as prac-
ticable. Therefore, if convenient to
you. I viii ask you TO allow me TO
give Up my position with you.
thank you for your kindness and
consideration to me while / nave
been in your employ.
IF you wish TO communicate with
me, please write to me at the ad-
dress al the head Of this sheet. You
may also mail my check TO this
same aodrCss--PayIng me only Up TO
last evening. In leaving you with
O1t longer EoJICe ( fOTfcit--in my
own eyes. at lCsst-thc right 10 my
pay 70 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. II David
attached extra stamps to this letter.
marked il special delivery" and
mailed it now. his employer should
receive IL early j nthe day. before
leaving his house for his office.
DeLainc did not dare let himself
stop TO think that perhaps he might
never again see Desiree. Down in