Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-04
CHAPTER LXvIII.
WEEK after Madame's death,
strained little group gathered in
\ the library of the Carter house
\ to attend the reading Of the

A WEEK after Madame's death, a
| n strained little group gathered in
| IN the library of the Carter house
4 to attend the reading of the
old lady's will
Old Mr.. Parrot, so long the attorney
| for the family that he seemed like
some distant relative, presided at the
massive oak table. Mrs. Carter was
ensconced in a great high back carved
chair, looking even more bewildered
and f1uttery, than usual. Vera was
| nearby, her mouth tightly pursed 70
gether as though she knew what she
was about to hear would not make
pleasant listening. Her heavy black
brows were knit-she was adding some
figures on the back of an envelope and
now and then she whispered veheme-
nently to her mother who listened with
round uncomprehending eyes and
nodded uncertainty.
Stan was sunk in a deep armchair,
his handsome brows set in a scoWl.
Stan was in one of his black moods
he had barely acknowledged Mr.. Par
rott's greeting when he entered. Stan
wore golf clothes; he had been out at
the country club all. day and--Judy
suspected-was already several drinks
ahead of his daily schedule.
On the Chesterfield, newly returned
from their honeymoon, sat Amy and
her husband.
Amy was extensively dressed in black
crepe. well aware that it was flattering
to her blond marcel. She was in
perpetual restless motion, swinging her
extensively shod foot, twirling the end
of a long chain of brilliants. Amy
wore an air of cheerful irnpatience.
Now that Amy had landed the Sumner
fortune she was airly Indifferent to
any slight sum her grandmother might
have left her.
She'll leave it all to Nick, of
course" she had told Billy Sumner
before they arrived that morning, in
her high, fretful voice. That's fore
gone conclusion. Leave the rest of us
just enough to keep us from fighting
the thing and turn the balance over
to Nick. She's always been perfect
idiot about Nick It's silly for us to
go over-a waste of time-that will is
no surprise party, believe mel"
But Amy was wrong. Madame gave
one last surprise party though she was
no longer there to chuckle Sardonical-
ly at the various faces as the old at
torney cleared his throat and started
to read.
"I-Satira Strowbridge Carter, being
of sound mind" All written out it
was, In Madame's fine, spidery writing
which covered the foolscap pages, Judy
thought like web of fine lace. Legal
ly sound-remarkably clear, and dated
just a couple of months before her
death.
A comfortable fortune invested in
sound securities and steady, old-fash-
Toned real estate.
Mrs. Carter-Vera-Amy
left thousand dollars Since Robert
Carter, my son, has left them amply
provided for in his estate, so wisely
controlled by my beloved grandson,
Nicholas" A blacker scowl from
Stan, a sniff and f1ounce from Vera.
Amy's flashing chain slowed-hung sus-
pended motionleSs from her hand for
moment, then started a more hectic
swinging. A complacent smile grow
ing on Amy's face. What was the be-
quest of a cranky old woman to Mrs.
William Sumner, with her white hands
plunged deep in the Sumner fortune!
The balance Of Madame's estate was
to go to that beloved grandson Mich
olas' with few exceptions And here
began Madame's surprise party Martha
the Faithful was provided with a mod
est income for life. "And the sum of
hundred thousand dollars to be paid
directly, without delay of restriction,
to Judith Denning Carter, in apprecia-
ton Of the sunshine she brought into
an old woman's life"
The dry, precise sound Of the law
yer's voice fell on the quiet room like
the crackle OF fireworks. Judy felt her