The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1921-01-06
STRANGE
CLIENTS
By ALDEN CHAPMAN

1t was good deal Of satisfaction
to Lucius Mangold to reckon up profits
and prospects at the end Of two years
practice of the law There had been
progress that was gratifying and
encouraging.
ut is q reward for good hard work,
faithfulness and self denial" he COM
plimented himself.
Mangold looked up as step
echoed at the Office threshold. The
doorway framed Il modestly dressed
young girl Of about nineteen She had
face that showed character and
true womanliness. At glance he
noted that her attire, while neat, was
somewhat worn. Her gloves were
mended and the handbag she carried
was old and faded, TO his analytical
mind here was young lady Of quite
superior mold, but with certain traces
Of care in the Swallowed eyes.
81 come as client" she spoke 81
noticed your name as a lawyer, but
have no money to pay for your serv-
ices"
"Be seated, please invited Man
gold, setting a chair for this plain
speaking visitor and they faced one
another, she slightly embarrassed, he
endeavoring to set her at her ease.
81 am Elita vayre," she spoke, "and
need advice. | have to work for a
living as a stenographer and live with
an invalid aunt. About a month since
firm of lawyers, Parker & Merton
wrote me to call at their office. Do
you know the firm|
Mangold simply nodded. He indeed
knew the discredited pettifoggers and
nothing good of them, but he did not
commit himself verbally.
"They were looking for one Elita
Vayre, heress to a portion Of the es-
tate of Robert Vayre, they told me.
Was that the name of my uncle? It
was. | informed them. The rest was
easy. they said. If | would sign u
contract awarding them twenty per
cent and swear to my identity they
would secure for me a legacy Of over
$4,000. | was quite stunned at the
proposal, but l did not like the secret,
sinister way of those two men. l
asked time to think it over. have
come to you"
ITO see that your rights are CON
served? Yes" submitted MangOld.
mo, for | have no rights at all in
the matter" was the amazing reply,
"for am not the rightful Elita Nayre,
and believe they know it. BY acct
dent l noticed among some rotations
they had that their Robert Nayre died
two years ago. My uncle has been
dead five years.
The wonderment and interest of Luz
Cius Mangold were alike aroused.
"And then" hurriedly went on his fair
client, There came 10 me q singular
suggestion Of memory. A year since,
when / was living at Columbus | in
cidentally heard Of a young lady work
ing in the same building where | did
whose name was the same as mine. /
can give her address of that period.
The surname is not a common one. |
believe that she is the rightful heiress
of the rightful Robert Vayre, and /
wish you would ascertain if this is not
true. She was a poor girl like myself,
and the legacy would probably mean
great JOY and happiness for her"
The nobility in the mind Of this
conscientious, unseIfsh girl awoke the
deepest respect and admiration in. the
mind of Mangold. He showed it so
clearly in his face that his caller
| flushed.
"Please tell me further details If
you can" he suggested, "Your adj
Dress and | will let you know the re-
suit of my investigation in a few
days"
Mangold wrote at once to the Miss
Vayre at Columbus. Four days later
an animated, buoyant young lady
called in person, announcing herself as
the recipient Of his letter.
81 can scarcely realize that l am
the person you have described" she
said, "but my uncle was Robert Yayre
and can establish other points Of
which you advised me-"
Within two days Mangold fully es-
tablished the fact that his present
client was the real heiress to the
vayre legacy, but he did not work
| through Parker & Merton, but with
the administrator of the Vayre estate,
and his vivacious and delighted client
| insisted that she who bore the same
name should be sent for at once
Mangod's first client happened to
come to the Office when he and her
double as to name were conyersing
pleasantly, and the picture of a young
girl of means and an attractive young
man seemed to cause the visitor to
contrast her own fOrlorn condition de-
pressingly.
"You dear, sweet friend" spoke the
helress warm heartedly, ''do you com
prehend what you have done for me?
| have just told Mr.. Mangold that you
shall have a generous recognition Of
your thoughtfulness."
"Thank you" spoke the other dis
| family, 81 could accept none"
"Oh, but you must Think of It'll
Now Burney Rolfe and | can marry /!
Oh! such happy fortune, and you
must share It."
Instantly the dulled face of Man
COLDS first client uncIouded The
young lawyer possessed new thought
that gave him comfort. Was it be-