Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-09-21
Maggie's Inherit
ance
By KATE EDMONDS
(@. 1921. Western Newspaper Union)


| been puzzling and went to the door Of
her hall bedroom. Next moment she
was in Dicks arms.
| "HeighO! Same old hall room !"
said Dick, taking his seat beside her.
| Say, Maggie, how would you like to
| come west with me next Frday?"
| "West, Dick" Maggie Durham ex-
claimed
| 'West's what I said" Dick an
swered. "Pve got chance to buy
| farm in TeXas-five hundred down and
| the rest on mortgage. Then we can
| get married and start out to make
| home for ourselves. You know Mag
| gle, dear" he continued, in whisper
of exultation 1--WE got twelve hundred
| dollars saved now"
They had been engaged two years.
Maggie earned eighteen dollars a week
as stenOgrapher to Mr.. Burman, of the
great department store, and Dick
corporation. And they had been saw
ing ever since they were engaged.
II mean, Maggie with your five hun
bred" Dick volunteered. "And we
can start in on that and make our
way. Is it all right?"
But Dick. /"
But Maggie, you know now Mr..
Burman's dead you won't have such
| prospects as you thought. He took
fancy to you, but his head man dis
| likes you, you told me, and I guess
| you'll find the future won't be so bright
as you hoped. Come, throw it up and
| let's get married"
She would not give him her decision.
She would let him know the next Sun
day, she said.
Left alone, Maggie pulled out the
letter again and began studying 1t. It
was from Mr.. Burman's lawyer and it
limited at something that she had new
er imagined in her widest dreams.
| And she was to be at the Burman
mansion on Madison avenue at noon
| the following day.
The next morning, few minutes be-
! fore the appointed hour Maggie Dur
ham was shown into the splendidly
man was seated in an arm chair, her
handkerchief to her eyes. Upon the
sofa, side by side, were the Misses
Burman. The lawyer, Henry Altemus,
rose nervOusly out of his chair to
meet her. When he presented her the
women made only the slightest inclina-
ton Of their heads.
"Ahem! Miss Durham, it is my
duty to give you some very painful in
formation" the lawyer began.
Miss Durham" he began, "how
long have you worked In Mr. Burman's
store?"
"Three years." said Maggie.
you began as Il cash girl and had
phenomenally rapid rise, believer"
Maggie nodded. Taught myself
stenography and worked up" she an
swered
Miss Durham" said Mr.. Altemus,
ION going through Mr. Burman's priv
ate papers we find that he was-er-
married before"
1--WE hope So" interposed the widow.
"And, to be brief, that you are Mr..
Burman's daughter
Maggie looked at the lawyer and at
the widow and at the prim faces Of
the two girls.
"Why didn't he recognize me?" she
asked.
Because" said the lawyer "Mr.
Burman had position in life which
had to be maintained. And you were
the fruit Of mesalliance, juvcaile
indiscretiOn.
II see," said Maggie. $50 he put the
responsibility on my mother. Where
Is she?"
"She died when you were born. And
now the point is this: Mr. Burman
has left you an annual income of seven
thousand dollars, to be held In trust
for you, upon two conditions. First,
that you agree to go to school In Paris
which has been selected for you, and
to remain there two years. Secondly,
that, after you have been polished.
you will reside with Mrs. Burman as
her niece, and that no hint of the Sc
cret ever passes your lips, under pen
ally VI IOIlcilluS your lHCOIuS. All, ny
the way, there is third condition, but
it is too unimportant to lay much
stress upon it. l believe you have
considered yourself engaged to
worthy young man by the name Of
Mansfield? A mere clerk, think. OF
course that episode is ended now and
forever All that Is now requisite Is
that you sign document which I have
here embodying these terms. Here Is
the paper" He began shuffling
among the sheets upon the table.
Maggie rose up.
Goodbye, Mr.. Altemus," she said.
She bowed to the widow and her
daughters.
"Eh?" said the lawyer.
Declined with thanks" said Mag
gle. do you think I'd sell myself
into slavery for the pleasure Of mix
ing with your crowd?" she demanded.
"Whv there isn't drOn Of real h1OOd