St. Tammany farmer., 1921-11-26
An Heir to a
Million
By WINIFRED DUNBAR.

Copyright. 1921, Western Newspaper Union.
II wish you to encourage young
Benton in his attentions. Nellie" "
spoke John Andrews to his daughter.
Nellie did not reply IN words, but
her face flushed and her head dropped.
The word Of John Andrews was law
within his family circle and even his
wife rarely dared to gainsay him.
Mrs. Andrews looked very solemn.
She did not attempt to repress an
opinion, however.
"Joel Benton dropped In to see me
at the office yesterday" pursued Mr..
Andrews In his usual precise lawyer
like way. "He intimated his senti-
ments toward you, Nellie. He was
urged on to 1t, he explained, because
a bit of rare good fortune, as he ex-
pressea-tt, had come his way, AS you
know, de and his assistant at his
store, Rafe Wilson, are related to the
wealthy Jared Jones Of Pittston. The
old millionaire has never paid any at
tention to them. Yesterday Benton re-
ceived letter and a draft for $1,000
from Mr.. Jones. It notified him that
he might consider this royal gift as
an indication that he was figuring on
finding an acceptable heir to his enor-
nous fortune" Z
''That Is news, indeed" murmured
the marveling Mrs. Andrews.
tn fnt or
"there must be no more of this fool
ishness with Rolfe Wilson. The heir
to q million is not to be picked up
every day."
''Oh, motherl" cried Nellie, rushing
to the side Of Mrs. Andrews and bury
ing her tear-stained face in her lap.
"There is indeed no question of
choice between Rolfe and Mr.. Ben
toni snid Nellie forcibly. 'A1r Ben
ton Inherited the business he owns.
Poor Rolfe gave up every dollar Of
his rightful Inheritance to pay the old
debts Of his father"
"It was a noble sacrifice. dear"
spoke Mrs. Andrews.
"He has gone to work like man
and he is all there is to Mr. Benton's
business" continued Nellie. .=-
IT hope love will find way, dear"
Mrs. Andrews said simply and Nellie
felt cheered even by her poor SYM
pathy.
Almost simultaneously with the
cashing of the draft Benton walked
into the store he owned.
TIN going to take a spell Of rest,
Wilson," he said. "You can run
things here"
"Thcre Is that debt to the city sup
ply house." suggested Rolfe. ''You
know they are pressing for payment" !"
"Oh, I can't bother-let 'em wait"
''But you have plenty Of money
now"
"Yes. and I'm going to take one good
fling and enjoy it," retorted Benton
recklessly "How would you like to
huy me out7"
II haven't the cash."
you've got some, I know. I'll be
liberal. You assume that city debt
and, pay me 500 a month for six
months and the store Is yours" "lsT,i II,
81 will do that" assented Rolfe
promptly and the bargain was con-
summated.
Lawyer Andrews tabooed. Rolfe VIII
son. He proceeded to cultivate Ben
ton. The latter began to call at the
Andrews home regularly, much to the
discomfort Of poor Nellie.
AS to Nellie herself she tried to
give her persistent suitor to under
stand that her heart could never be
his.
The months rolled away Once In
a while Nellie met Rolfe casually.
Once a week letters expressing their
mutual love passed between them.
Rolfe was working hard.
Its all up with mel' Benton
amazed him by saying. bursting into
the store one morning early and look
ing the picture Of detected misery and
ruin.
"Why, what's the trouble7" inquired
Rolfe.
'That $1,000. / spent most Of It.
Yesterday I wired Uncle Jared for an
other installment on my fortune. He
telegraphed me back that such a
spendthrift didn't suit him as an heir
and l had missed my chance"
"And what about Nellie7" inquired
Rolfe
"Oh, that's all off now, Of course" ;"
announced Benton. II think she put
me Off foreseeing what fool I'd
make Of myself. After all my big
ideas and boastfulness I'll never dare
to look her in the face again"
And then Rolfe Wilson felt so sor-
ry for the poor broken-up fellow that
he offered him a one-half interest In
the little business If he would get
down to earth again and work as he
used to do apd Benton felt as CRATE
full rs shipwrecked mariner landed
safely In the home nest.
That was not all Of 1t. One day
! Uncle Jared appeared at the little
store and disclosed himself.
II think you were silly In giving
away half your business to spend
thrift" he said to Rolfe, "but it shows
you're good all through. From what
hear, fancy you will know how to
take care Of big store I've bought
for you at Maiden and the rest of my
fortune, when I get through with it."
Np oo1rco Tool Rop4nn ont tho III.