The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-05-01
FOR LILY
BY JACK LAYTON


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
iecied dinner. So he dropped into his
fayorite hotel and seated himself at
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
lOyously adventurous; now his days
were 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 young woman was
seated before him. The waiter came
TO take her order; she waved him
almost mpatiently aside.
81 came here to speak to this gentle
man. she said. Colby attentive, Bar
rls leaned forward.
"You wished to see me-" he ques-
toned grudgingly
"Upon a ma;ter Of business, yes"
The young woman stood up alb
rupty.
Il must ask you to come with me
at once-to draw up will for dying
man"
David BarriS spoke dryly:
And am l permitted TO know my
prospective clients name?'
Certainly" the girl answered
hr7lSquely. James A. Sterling"
The lawyers quick glance spoke as
constituent. The name Of James A.
Sterling was Of late we'll known TO
the reading public.
1t had been Just two years ago thai
The dnancier dlsowned 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 IN
TIERS home, society had next hcen
shocked TO hear of the elder SterlingS
own marriage 10 the conSoled aud am
bilious secretary This young person
age was said To rule her aged hus
bands home with high hand, to the
punishment 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 impotence OF some ia
cied neglect on her part was evident
These facts, which Barris had
learned MT the club and read In the
newspaper. flashed through his mind
rs he hesitnted before his unlimited
table companion.
Surely James Sterling must have
formerly made a WILL he said.
The young woman nodded.
"Ile wishes to draw new one" she
explained
She looked back at him as he fol.
lowed toward the door
ale Is taking good deal OF salts.
faction" she went on, "ln the thought
Of frustrating certain people after his
funeral. II you know Mr. Sterling at
all you wi be aware of his eccentrlcl
1 ties
A coupe waited at the hotel en-
trance. The girl motoned the lawyer
to step inside, and took her place at
/ the wheel.
Bnrris leaned forward.
"Who," he asked sharply, ARE your"
81 am Helen Sterling" Her tone
was even.
Barris sat back stlfly. 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 lnhu
enced men. A sorrow went through
him. and a 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
t,ttpa.fs ,Iaan Fnv a hauv 49, ftvo -