Middletown transcript., 1922-06-10
FOR LILY
BY JACK LAWTON

" - - . = = = y = . - . = \ ~
Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
1t was nearly midnight when David
Barris returned to the city, and hun
ger made him aware of the fact that
in his business excitement he had neg
lected dinner So he dropped into his
favorite hotel and seated himself al
his accustomed table.
Successful. in his chosen profession
of law, Barris was still not happy !;
life, even its pleasant phase, proved
disappointing. AS boy he had been
joyously adventurous now his days
were tiresome 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 waiter came
to take her order; she waved him
almost lmpatiently aside. 49,"
II came here to speak to this gentle
man." she said. Coldly attentive, Bar
ris leaned forward.
toned grudgingly.
Upon a m,.,ter Of business, yes"
The young woman stood UP alb
ruptIy. -75-.
81 must ask you to come with me
at once-to draw up will for dying
man"
David Rarris spoke dryly:
"And am I permitted to know my
prospective clients name?'
Certainly" the girl answered
brusquely, James A. Sterling"
The lawyers quick glance spoke as
Sterling was of late well known to
the reading public.
1t had been just two vears ago that
the financier disowned his only son.
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 Sterlngs
own marriage to the consoled and am
bilious secretary. THIS young person
age was said to rule her aged hls-
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 occasio"s when her father
visited her his impatience of some fa
at tnL L..
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 new one," she
explained.
She looked back at him as he fol-
lowed toward the door.
"He is taking good deal of salts
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 your
II am Helen Sterling" Her tone
was even.
Barris sat back stifly. 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. It
was so, then, that she won and infu-
enced men. A sorrow went through
him, and n strange sense of loss In
the deserted hall of the mansion the
girl stood. listening.
you see," she explained to the law
YER II was supposed to take the
nurses place for an hour or two to-
night: Mr.. Sterling requested it. Then
we made our plans. I 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
Illte"
His SOM" The thought came un-
pleasantly to Barris that the appeal
ingly sweet woman at his side was in
conceivably planning at her aged hus-
bands death to marry her former
lover, the joint heir.
"And what" he asked curtly, "about
Lilyg
Her eyes shining, the girl turned to
him.
'Why, don't you see?' she asked.
'it Is all for Lily that we have planned.
We have to see that Lily comes into
her own. Helen Sterling has an in
sane jealousy of the poor creature
and her influence is uncanny-"
But you?" said the lawyer, "are
Helen Sterling"
"A chance happening of the same
first name," the girl told him. II am
James Sterling's niece and Lily's COM
panion."
David Barris started resolutely up
the stairs.
Come" he said.