The Idaho recorder., 1922-05-05
FOR LILY
BY JACK LAWTON


favorite hotel and seated himself at
his accustomed table.
Successful In his chosen profession
of law, Barris was still not happy
life, even it's pleasant phase, proved
disappointing. AS boy he had beeh
joyously adventurous now his days
we're tlresome routine. He won
dered idly how love, too, had passed
him by: surely he had met many wom-
en-, sweet and fair. He bent to his
chop and coffee, and when again he
raised his eyes a young woman was
seated before him. The walter came
to take her order; she waved him
almost impatiently aside.
II came here to speak TO this gentle
man." she said. Coldly attentive, Bar
rs leaned forward.
"You wished to see me?" he ques-
toned grudgingly.
Upon a mi.;ter Of business, yes"
The young woman stood up alb
ruptly.
81 must ask you to come with me
at once-to draw up a will for dying
man"
David Rarris spoke dryly:
"And am | permitted to know my
prospective clients name?"
Certainly" the girl answered
brllsquely, flames A. Sterling"
The lawyers quick glance spoke as
tonishment. The name of James A.
Sterling was of late we'll known to
the reading public.
1t had been just two years ago that
because that young man dared seek
the old mans charming secretary in
marriage. And when Jack Sterling
had been literally forced from his fa-
theirs home, society had next been
shocked to hear of the elder Sterllng's
own marriage to the cOnsOled and am
bilious secretary. This young person
age was said to rule her aged hus-
bands home with high hand, to the
banishment almost of his crippled
daughter.
Lily, in her isolated room of the old
mansion, became more isolated. Upon
those rare occasions. when her father
visited her his impatience of some fa
cied neglect on her part was evident.
These facts, which Barris had
learned at the club and read in the
newspaper flashed through his mind
as he hesitated before his unlimited
table companion.
Surely James Sterling must have
formerly made WILL" he said.
The young woman nodded.
He wishes to draw a new one" she
explained.
She looked back at him as he fol-
lowed toward the door.
He Is taking good deal of satis-
faction" she went on, "in the thought
of frustrating certain people after his
funeral. If you know Mr.. Sterling at
all you wi. be aware of his eccentrici-
ties"
A coupe waited at the hotel en-
trance. The girl motioned the lawyer
to step inside. and took her place at
the wheel
Barris leaned forward.
who" he asked sharply, "are you?"
II am Helen Sterling" Her tone
was even.
Barris sat back stiffly. Helen Ster-
ling was the name of the rich old
mans scheming wife.
Here we are called his COM
panion.
She caught his arm in her eager
ness, and smiled at him.
David Barris caught his breath. II
was so, then. that she won and inf1u-
enced men. A sorrow went through
him, and strange sense of loss. In
the deserted hall of the mansion the
girl stood, listening.
You see" she explained to the law.
yer, Il was supposed to take the
nurses place for an hour or two to-
night; Mr.. Sterling requested it. Then
we made our plans. have even
witness for the will, and his own rec
onciled son, and a physician to declare
that James Sterling Is in his right
mind. The will must be beyond dis
pute"
His sonF" The thought came nm.
pleasantly to Barris that the appeal-
ingly sweet woman at his side was in.
concetvahly planning at her aged hus-
oandS death to marry her former
lover, the joint heir.
And what" he asked curtly, "ahopt
Lily2"
Her eyes shining. the girl turned TO
him.
why, don't you see?" she asked
III Is all for Lily that we have planned
We have 10 see that Lily comes into
her own. Helen Sterling has an In.
sane Jealousy of the poor creature
and her influence Is uncanny-"
But your" said the LAWYER faro
Helen Sterling"
"A chance happening of the ssms
first name," the girl told him. ~ ann
James Sterling's niece and Lily's com.
panlon."
David Barris started resolutelv nm
the stairs. NR
Come" he said.