The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-02-16
IN THE DEPTHS
By MURIEL LEE


VIII OF John Black. giving the bulk Of
his estate to Edward Rutter. was ua-
held. A chuckle of satisfaction es-
capped the lips of. the fortunate legatee.
In strong contrast TO his inleda-
faced. furtive-eyed half cousin. was
Marvin Walters. who had been the
heir at law until the win was discov-
cred. Not for a moment did he Doubt
that the instrument produced bv
relative whom John Black had ab-
horred was base forgery. How
ever, one of the witnesses to the will
was produced who swore to his sig
nature He had once been p servant
of Black. The other alleged signature
was that of Hugh Marsfon. who had
at one time been an agent for the de-
cedent. The whereabouts Of this man
could not be found. but several Wit
nesses swore TO his signature.
1t was after eight O'Clock in the
evening and Walters faced a high
wind accompanied by filters of snow.
What little means lie possessed h:d
been exhausted in litigation. lie turn
ed into the first pawnshop he came
TO, left his watch with the proprietor.
took a street car and alighted at a
transfer point. He stood waiting for
"a connecting car, scarcely noticing a
little girl who crowded close to his
side seeking shelter from the ftful
wind, until just as the car approached
she uttered a little cry.
BE quick, the car Is here" smoke
Walters. urging the enid forward by
the arm.
But | can't" walled the child. MY
transfer. The wind has blown it
away. Oh, find it. please please. for
| have no money TO pay a new fare
and it is two miles 10 home'
Walters urged the child toward the
car platform. Never mind the trans
fer, little one" he said, IN attend
TO your fare"
The child locked up with wonder
ing, grateful eyes as he led her to a
seat in the warm. comfortable car.
He scanned her fragile form and
pinched wan face with sympathy and
interest. His kindly act had won her
confidence and she answered his ques-
tons clearly. She had been to dis
lance with a note for the keeper of
the mems furnishing store for whom
her mother had made neckties.
Mamma asked him to send her
some new work." said the child. but
he had none now, and she is sick. and
we haven't any coal, and she hasn't
got any money to get medicine Won't
you get her some?" the little prattler
asked artlessly.
Because he had become one of the
lowly and poorly himself, the mans
heart went out to the distressed and
unfortunate. He left the car with his
tiny companion, and she took his hand
confdingly and led him to poorly
kept tenement building and to a room
which she entered. with the glad cry:
''Oh, mamma there isn't any work
for you, but I've found a great friend
who paid my fare, and is going to
get you some medicine"
The room was sparsely furnished
Upon bed lay young woman of
twenty-five. She turned dull, glazed
eyes upon the child and her cheeks
showed the presence of a burning
fever. She uttered some feeble inco-
herent words.
Your mamma is very ILL.," Walters
told little Flora. rs there not some
woman neighbor who would come and
attend to herr"
There is the lady who rents this
floor out. but she would want money
to nurse anybody" replied tie child.
Walters located the woman. He
gave her some money. instructions to
care for the sufferer and, learning
that she had furnished room to rent,
took the apartment. It seemed re-
lief to forget his own troubles amid
earnest interest in the more vital ones
of others.
Slowly Alice Warren came back to
consciousness to learn of the good
Samaritan who had reached her
threshold. Her beauIy attracted Wal
tiers, and her sad story drew him clos
err into her life. She had lost a father
and a husband within the same year
and had been left homeless.
Walters set at work TO remodel his
life. but before the month was out
made a discovery which changed the
whole aspect of affairs. He was seat
ed in the room Mrs. Warren occupied
one day when he Glanced to pick up
book lying on the table As he
opened it quick thrill permeateG his
fame. The owners name was given
on the fly leaf-"Hugh MarStOn"
where did you get this book. may
/ ask" he questioned.
1T belonged to my rather" was thu
reply.
as that his own haRdwritin~?"
pressed Walters, strangely moved.
ayes. He died three years ago this
August"
A sharp exclamation on the part Of
Walters caused the speaker TO halt
her speech The next moment he was
pouring forth the story of the will.
Two facts were established. Hugh
Marston had been dead six months be-