Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-12-12
A Young Mans
Heritage
BY CLARISSA MACKIE


uVoU wished TO see me, Mr.. Ad-
L amsY" reminded Donald Gamer
on, us he shook hands with the law
yer,
'Yes, Donald, and | will cut the
story short and tell you that you have
fallen heir to small fortune" Mr.
Adams unfolded n cracking legal doe
ument, and adjusted his, horn trimmed
glasses. "Of course you have kept In
touch with Cyrus Pebble all these
years since you left Meadows" he sug
gested.
Donald laughed ruefully. ITO tell
the truth, Mr.. Adams, Cyrus Peddie
hated the very sight of me when
was boy--of course we tormented
him by stealing apples and cherries
and once he caught me and he certain
ly gave me one good whaling AS
| grew up, though, he seemed to for
get, and the hatred settled into cold
dislike. He and my father were quite
chummy ut one time" he ended RENT
nlscently.
The lawyer smiled. "Cyrus Peddl'
left one thousand dollars to his oEi'
relation, a grandnlece, who lived with
him and cared for him, and every
other dollar, every stick and stone he
bequeathed to the son Of his good
friend, Alexander Cameron"
"Is she very young?'
"Sweet and twenty. proud as the
dickens Donald. nnd--well. the resi
of 1t Is for you to discover"
"Of course her attitude is hostile
to the usurper."
"Why don't you go and see her !
viii go with you after lunch, II yoo
have no other engagement"
Donald took the copy of the Will
back to the hotel where he was stop
ping, for all of his own family had
moved away from Meadows. As he
read the brief document, he wns
thrilled and puzzled In turn when he
realized that he was now the owner
OF the quaint old Colonial house with
its mighty acreage OF rich land.
"Of course l cannot accept It," he
told himself seriously ~ am man
with splendid opportunities before me.
/ do not need the money that should
belong to girlp He said as much
to the lawyer as Mr. Adams drove
him out to the Pebble place on Forest
street. The old-fashlOned flower gar
dens were in full bloom and the roses
long neglected made a fragrant. color.
full tangle on the southern slope. A
girl was working there, her face con
cealed by II big Hopping straw hat
Mr.. Adams and Donald made their
way along box-bordered paths until
they reached the roses.
GOOD morning, Miss Roberta"
called the lawyer
"Ah, Mr. Adams, how do you dor
She turned swiftly and greeted them
in pretty self-possesslon. She regard
ed Donald with cold gravity when
she heard his name
~ thought Mr.. Cameron ought 10
come over and see you today" ex.
planned the lawyer ms they walked
toward the house.
"Wlll you take care of him for
awhile Miss Gray7 I am going on
to my sisters for brief call and
will return and pick him up"
eve will have cup Of tea for
you, Mr.. Adams" she promised hos
pitably, and after he had rolled away
In his car, she removed her big hat
revealing soft red brown hair
1T Is hard TO hate you, Mr.. Cam.
eron," she said plalntvely.
'Don't do that, please" he begged.
"Your grand-uncle did that when
was pesky boy | cannot understand
what prompted his change of hearth
"Uncle Cyrus used to say that the
most mschlevous and tormentlng small
boys grew to be the smartest men
that must be the reasOn," she smiled
adOrably.
~ am afraid that doesn't apply to
me, Miss Gray" admitted Donald. IL
particularly wanted TO assure you, that
while | deeply appreciate the motive
that prompted Mr. Peddle's gift, !
shall never touch penny of it-lt
rightfully belongs 10 you"
How generous you are" she ex-
claimed, "but I believe my uncle's
WIHH'H Hhpulu w I'npt'ieht ~ WHS
his money"
surely II can be arranged so that
/ may receive your thousand dollars
and you take the rest Of til will
talk to Mr.. Adams about It," he said
In masterful manner, but he had
not counted on the bit OF red In Ro-
berta's hair
"Of course | shall refuse TO accept
anything except the money my uncle
wished me to have" she protested
haughtlly.
Mr. Adams found them In heated
discussion, and he carried Donald of.
with suppressed mlrth at the cool
fnrewells Of the young people.
Six months later the situation re.
manned unchanged HObertn Gray and
the mlddle.aged hOusekeeper who lived
with her, remained In the old house
while Donald made frequent visits
10 Meadows TO argue his case and both
Of them were terribly unhappy for
love, unknown, had entered the case
At last Mr.. Adams called them Into
conference at his Office "You must
compromise this matter" he said &C.
verely an leave you alone for ten
minutes" When no returned they
we're standing together by the window.
ut Is all settled beamed Donald
"Robertn's going 10 marry me; how
Is that for n compromise, slrf But
I feel that In having Roberta. I'm
getting more than my share"
"That Is the perfect compromise
Bless you, my chldren" chuckled the
old lawyer. 81 know II Will please