Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-07-28
just a Squatter on
Abandoned Land
e. 1921. Western Newspaper Union )
By KATE EDMoNDs.

Aaty III Mai lIASF1ile LOT forty years.
And the big store and the bank and
the innumerabie pieces of real estate
that he had owned here and there in
the state capital had fallen to his
misery nephew, Hamilton Hall.
Hamilton spent five days with his
lawyer, and at the end of that period
discovered that. one-fourth 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.. Hail."
said the lawyer, Miss Sidonia be-
l.eves that the property is hers. She's
got only tiny income Of six dollars
week outside it, and if she lost it
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
deadW
"Yes," answered Mary. HE was a
good man and an old friend Of my
aunt's- I 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, want you to be
sensible Be my wife. Don't be In
fatuated by that man Blaine. Hes
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 nowY
"Never!" she cried angrily, con-
fronting him with blazing eyes. Il
hate and despise you"
''Then why don't you marry
Blaine?" sneered Hamilton Hall. And,
as she did not reply, he continued:
'Tn tell you why. You're waiting I'M
til your aunt dies SO as to get her
property. But it isn't hers-it's
mine'
'gThis house is not my aunts?'' she
cried.
mo, Miss Mary, it's NINE" Hall an
swered. "But if you'll throw Blaine
over and marry me I'll settle it on
Miss Travers for life. Give me
kiss and then I'll make you love me.
T."
Vincent Blaine was at the door. Hall
turned, to see Blaine advancing upon
him with clenched fists.
What's the matter with your" Hall
shouted.
Blaine did not strike him, for Hall,
was much smaller man. Instead, he
quietly wrenched his chair from his
grasp and, taking his shoulders in a
firm grasp, shook him backward and
forward till the mans head wagged
foolishly upon his shoulders.
'sThere 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,
tive have 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.
h But long before the date set for
their marriage arrived Hamilton Hall
had begun his legal battle
Were at the end, Mary" said
Blaine, despairingly. 1.-THE case is
scheduled for next Tuesday, and we've
no answer to make"
"That means a death sentence to
Aunt Sidonia," answered Mary, weep
ing.
by the way, did tell you I've got
new lawyerY' asked Blaine present
~. HE used to be partner of old
Fingal-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 card up his sleeve.
I'll call for you on Monday at nine"
Blaine called for Mary aud took her
4 to the lawyers Office in a cab. There
they met Hall with his attorney. and
the i've seated themselves around the
table. Blaine's lawyer, lank New
Highlander named Robertson, made his
proposal.
II fnd," said Mr.. Robertson,
fnmbling with his papers. that Miss
/ Travers has occupied the premises
unmolested for-er-twenty years,
four months, and nineteen days. You
are aware, of course, that under the