Catoctin clarion., 1921-08-04
Just a Squatter on
Abandoned Land
10, ls2l, W.stsrn Newspapsr Union.
BY KATE EDMONDS.

2 20, 1871. western Newspaper union-)
Cephas Merritt was dead-Merritt,
the rich, eccentric. philanthrcpic old
merchant Of Grand boulevard, whose
name had been a synonym for integ-
rity In Marttnsville for forty years.
And the big store and the bank and
the innumerable pieces OF real estate
that he had owned here and there In
the state capital had fallen to his
miserly nephew, Hamilton Hall.
Hamilton spent five days with his
lawyer, and at the end Of that period
discovered that One-foarth of Cephas'
tenants had been living rent free for
years.
But not all of Cephas' tenants had
been poor One of them, Miss Sido-
mia Travers, occupied the old Travers
mansion on Hurland Heights, which
had come to her on the death of her
father twenty years previously. When
Hall read this name he whistled; and
when the lawyer told him that she,
too, lived rent free, he whistled again.
"You see, it's this way, Mr.. Hall"
said the lawyer, Miss Sidonia be-
lieves that the property is hers. She's
got only a tiny income OF six dollars
a week outside 1t, and If she lost 1t
she'd be practically beggar-she
and her niece, Mary Travers.".
Mary Travers was prettier than
ever, in Halls eyes. When he saw
her enter the old-fashioned drawing
room a flame of jealousy Of Blaine
burned In his heart. His greeting OF
Mary was in itself triumph.
"Sit down, Miss Travers," he said.
II, have something to say to you. You
know, Of course, that my uncle Is
dead?"
"Yes," answered Mary. "He was a
good man and an old friend Of my
aunt's. / am sorry, Mr.. Hail."
"Well. that's more than l am, by
long Odds" Hall answered. Don't
you know that I've fallen heir to
everything he had? Yes, and l find
that I'm worth cool eight hundred
and fifty thousand at the lowest esti-
mate. Now, Mary, I want you to be
sensible. Be my wife. Don't be ia
fatuated by that man Blaine. He's a
good, honest toiler. no doubt, but he'll
never be anything"
"Mr. Hail." said Mary. rising, Il
cannot hear any more"
"What, you won't marry me now"
"Never!" she cried angrily, con-
fronting him with blazing eyes. Il
u. 90 ana Aacn;cn v0r ~
"Then why don't you marry
BlaineY sneered Hamilton Hall. And,
as she did not reply, he continued:
"F'il tell you why. You're waiting un-
til your aunt dies SO as to get her
property. But it isn't hers-its
mine"
..'This house is not my aunt's?" she
cried.
mo, Miss Mary, it's mine," Hall an
swered But If you'll throw Blaine
over and marry me I'll settle 1t on
Miss Travers for life. Give me Il
kiss and then I'll make you love me.
y"
Vincent Blaine was at the door. Hall
kuAhCO, " oCC ASiuihS ooFoh$Ah6 ePNA>
him with clenched fists.
whats the matter with you?" Hall
shouted.
Blaine did not strike him, for Hall,
was a much smaller man. Instead, he
quietly wrenched his chair from his
grasp aud, taking his shoulders in
firm grasp, shook him backward and
forward till the mans head wagged
foolishly upon his shoulders.
There goes Travers House." MUIR
INJURED Mary, as she nestled into her
lovers arms.
'What do you mean?" asked Blaine.
grimly. And Mary told him.
Vincent. DEAR" she said presently,
I'VE have a hard fight before us.
Now that we must fight shoulder to
shoulder-help me out, Vincent"
He pressed her In his arms.
''When?' he asked, kissing her.
Next month" she whispered back.
But long before the date set for
their marriage arrived Hamilton Hall
had begun his legal battle.
"We're at the end. Mary" said
Blaine, despairingly. "The case is
scheduled for next Tuesday, and we've
no answer to make"
'That means q death sentence to
Aunt Sidonia," answered Mary. weep
ing.
by the way, did / tell you I've got
u new lawyerT asked Blaine present.
ly. HE used to be partner of old
Fingall-the man who acted for Mr..
Merritt SO many years. He wants US
TO attend a conference the day before
the trial. to be held In his offices.
He seems to have q card up his sleeve.
III call for you ON Monday at nine"
Blaine called for Mary and took her
to the lawyers office In cab. There
they met Hall with his attorney, and
the FIVE seated themselves around the
table. Blaine's lawyer, lank New
Englander named Robertson, made his
proposal.
II fnd," said Mr.. Robertson,
fumbling with his papers, that Miss
Travefs has occupied the premises
unmolested fOr-er-twenty years,
four months, and nineteen days. You
are aware, Of course, that under the
common law, as amended la this state,
that gives her indiSputable owner
ship
"But she thought it was her house."
sehed the other.
a great blunder," answered Mr..
itobertsen. 1--WE confess unreserved-
ly that IT was not. She was squat
an.-inSt a Main Snl1Aftpr fkn Ahan.