Evening star., 1923-09-16

all of us. I would be q good brother
to my little sisters as long as I livei
| and my life won't be a long one--a
! few years at most. have had my
marching orders, Edith. That Is why
1 gave up the struggle out there and
wrote to my father. wanted TO see
him again before he died. or died. I
was just too late for that But still
want TO spend the last few years of
my life at Sproule. which is mine ana
not yours. nor even my sisters'--yet
You had better consent to my terms
Every one would say you had done a
generous thing; you would be freed
from all the dincuities you have
brought upon yourself, perhaps In q
moment of irresponsibiiity. And. ex-
eept that should be in the house.
everything would go on exactly as II
does now. Come now--how can you
my sisters. and let me feel that have
come home to a welcome"
She wavered for the first time; her
eyes sought the ground. But only for
a moment. "Have you told any one OF
this claim you proposed to maker
she asked coldly.
II have only told a lawyer, under
| whose advice I should act IL you
forced me to action. 1 wouldn't go
to the old people until had seen
you
"If you write a letter to the man
you told your story to, saying that 1t
is absolutely untrue; IL you----"
What are you talking about?" ne
| interrupted her roughly. do you
consent to my terms or not? I'm
about at the end OF my patience"
| The controlled manners of his youth
had fallen from him; he was the man
who had fought his way down in the
rucl1, and spoke and looked like it.
| She drew herself up and turned
from him. at refuse to do anything
for you at ALL" she said, 'and you
win please to leave my house."
"My Dearest Boy:
81 thank God for your letter, and
that it has come in time. i am dying
my full forgiveness. Come home as
soon as you can and take nay place
| here. I have left you SprouIe and
the greater part of nay property, NY
wife has helped me 20 effect this Just
now. She has been a good wife 60 me,
and your return must make a differ
! ence to her, but she is content.
| trust her and>your sisters to you, !
should like them 20 live here at
Sproule with you. / am too weak 20
write more.
YOUR LOVING FATHER"
| r 4 y =
IVxTHEN the letter was read in
w court 1t created a deep sensa-
tion, and as the story OF Sir
Godfrey Prevost's claim was gradu.
ally unfolded, there were those who
looked at the woman who was oppos-
ing it, as she sat, calm and unmoved.
by the side of her lawyer. and won-
dered how she could have been 50
mad as to put herself Into this posi-
tion. For 1t was made clear that
she could have avoided 1t, and have
gained hardly less than she was
fighting for by doing 50.
The case looked black against her.
Her own lawyers had to give eN.
dence that Sir Everard Provost had
made two Wills one leaving Sprouie
and the bulk OF his property to his
/ son, the other, of a later date. leav-
Ing everything to his widow for life.
with reversion to his daughters. Both
will had been In his own keeping.
and ne had instructed them that
he should destroy the later one. Il
his SON proved to be alive.
j The butler at Sprouie Court gHvc
/ evidence of taking up the pos&.baa
to Sir Everask's room on the AFTER
Inoon Of the day before he died. II
had been taken from him at the door
by Lady Provost, who had broughs
it out to him again after It had
been unlocked with one or two let
ters for other members Of the house.
hold. He had been summoned agaia
II half an hour later, and told that
her ladyship would take SIR Everard'E
4 letters 70 the post herself, when tht
nurse cams In. This wan unusual
but not unknown.
! The nurse gave evidence that Lsds