The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-08-18
By the Terr}ls
Of the,Win
(Copyright.)
sv HELEN FAIRcHILD DUKE

Urinary and as one after another the
,oembers of the Alton club on their
usy home dropped in for a round of
bridge, or bit of gossip and an appe-
dzer. the group discussing the notice
,weiled to goodly proportions.
Each newcomer was asked If he
knew about it. If he did, he was ques-
toned as to further details. If he
admit, the paper was flourished in his
tsre and all talked at once in the en-
desvor to tell what had happened.
And every time the front door of the
clubhouse opened, the gentlemen
stopped talking and looked guilty I'M
III they we're sure it was not Lawrence
Barr who had just come in.
Weston was authority for the state
msnt that old John Barr, Larry's I'M
Gle had rightful claim to the title
Of multimillionaire.
why" said Weston, Il know for a
fact that his income last year was
nearly million from the silk trust
alone. And he must have had as much
more from those mines he owned That
diamond field in South Africa would
satisfy most ordinary mortals. No
body knows what other holdings he
had-the old jigger was so close
mouthpd. OF course, it will all come
out when the settlement is made. Why,
I tell you, Larry's fortune Is one Of
the big ones-even for this day and
age"
Carlson laughed nervously.
I'm a bit excited-having the thing
come so close to US. OF course, we all
knew Larry would be well fixed some
day-hut nobody expected it to happen
60 soon. His uncle wasn't so old"
"No-but pneumonia is no respecter
If age
II Sonder,' said Caldwell, chow soon
Larry will know just how much he
is going to get. He'll have most of
it. anvway-maybe all. 1 could use
some OF it."
Wen all have a share, CALDWELL"
said Weston. Don't worry. Larry
Isn't selfish, and he'll be doing pleas
ant things for all his old friends He'll
give us a good time"
Caldwell shook his head.
First thing we know Larry'll mar
" md his wife will do the disbursing
an entertaining"
'0h. I don't think So" said Gray
aTrv-'C tho 70 ~ ~
marrying fever. He's tbirty-one and
sOr. If settled in his habits.
The conversation came to a sudden
end and the group scattered in differ
elt directions as the door opened once
more 70 admit Lawrence Barr.
He drifted in, nodding quietly to one
aud another, affecting not to know
hat he had been the object of discus
sion
The Alton Daily Citizen had been
left M the center table, and Larry
ri Eed it up. He read the first col
gun front page, through with no
change of expression.
Won knew this, of course" he said,
Indicating the Citizen.
'Er-yes. Just saw it; that's ALL"
Weston hesitated between coincidence
ala Equalization.
Poor old duffer," said Larry with
. sigh which wasn't assumed for eff
feet And the worst of it is, there
lsrt soul who actually cared for
Am, He wasn't lovable man."
How old was he?" asked Weston.
only fifty eight. I'd have given him
twenty years yet at the least"
Sure, Anyone would. But that's
QUO Of the Reckoning now. 1t seems
ude heartless-but aren't you to be
congratulated, Larry?"
u hope sol" Larry fervently re-
spHn5ed. 1T certainly is Hades to be
pa5- And I've always been beastly so
led down to that office grind. Lord
w ao.e John did the right thing I'll
l.I q To let sign on the door to-
morrow"
why, sure, you'll get what you
Want Larry. There isn't a shadow
Of doubt about it. What'll you have?''
IL
When man has reached the age
d lawrence Barr without marrying, it
usually proves one of two things.
Either he has loved not wisely-or
De hasn't loved enough to induce him
10 take The plunge. Larry belonged in
llt latter class. Affairs he had had by
Vie dozen, but none serious enough to
--ertere with his general well being.
He vas clean and wholesome, moral
" and physically, and without in the
'eaSJ knowing it, was good enough to
serve as model for reproving wives
-AH mothers to hold up to erring man
siai' He had good naturally alb
j9.@l marriage as being out of his line
oh| seemed content to be pledged to
0a-1eIordon.
Iherefore, when his uncle died SC
suddenly and an abstract of the old
sealemans will was forwarded to him
ne eccentric document did not fill him
win dismay as might have been eX.
Pe'Led, Nevertheless, he found him
9eL n a peculiar situation, which
through the efforts of an enterprising
reporter for New York paper, soon
0eelne public property.
The will was briefly to this effect
MS uncle's property was to go to hin
conditionally. That is, he was to re
th,
NE remained single. The moment he