The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-03-27
Chapter IA
"RIGHTFUL HEIRS"


 but this time instead of drawing Judith into the circle of his arm. he faced her.
 What did you mean about a mil lionaire stenographer?" she asked with serious intentness.
 "A reporter just telephoned and asked me how it felt 10 be married to one. Judge E. c. Morgan has Tom Bevins' will. he filed if in probate court this morning. And"
 Norman go on.
 "He left you the bulk of his es tate. several million dollars and the controlling interest in the Bevins Construction Company. His wife and daughter will be cared for through a trust fund"
 He paused and waited for Judith to say something but she sat mute staring into the flames.
 Judith" there was note of fri tation in his voice, haven't you any thing at all to say?"
 Judith looked up. her cheeks chalk white. her eyes limpid with unshed tears-"What can say?" she asked Aren't you surprised :. Judith?' and now she heard suspicion in his voice. You didn't know this was coming did you?"
 "No. Norman" she spoke with firm honesty, then added. "at least not this way"
 You mean you expected money?" he asked.
 "No, really didn't"
 And under the circumstances you'll return it to the rightful heirs. " he suggested gently.
 Judith looked at her husband a forecast of pain to come in her eyes. To whom was her loyalty more i'm portant, the ghost of memory. or this man beside her?
 Guardedly. she answered, Nor man, think we'll find when the will is read, that the money and the com pany stock has been left me in trust. not for my personal use."
 But of course that will be depriv. ing Mrs. Bevins. the rightful heir, from using it as she would prefer" Judith looked up in surprise. She started to ask if the money had not been earned by Big Tom, then real izing he would see only the ethical side of such a question, countered with: Lets wait and see for our selves what the will contains. What else did the reporter want to know?" "A million and one things. He wanted to know why the old gentle man left his fortune to you. his stenographer, instead of his right full heirs :"
 Norman" Judith jumped to her feet, If you say 'rightful heirs to me again I'll scream. As if 1 could help what I didn't know was going to happen"
 CHE wheeled from him and ran to V the little glassed-in sun-porch and threw herself onto a wicker couch. But there was no time for tears, Lige was beside her, the tele. phone in his hands.
 Miss Sanford" he said.
 Hello, Judy" Clia's friendly voice came across the wire, hate like the dickens to call you at time like this, but I'm determined you're go iny to have your say. Every biddy in town will be tearing your reputation to shreds by nightfall and :. well how about it child. what spell did you cast over Big Tom to have him leave you five million?"
 Five million?" questioned Judith then, "Clia. swear l didn't know anything about it, but please. say for me that I'm hoping MT. Bevins heirs will withhold judgment unti the will is read. Say t have beer left anything at all .. and Clia, give my word of honor l don't knov what the will contains :. but t have been left anything, it has beel left for me to carry out some bust ness for him, and not for my per sonal use."
 There was silence at the other ent of the wire. Judith heard dim noises The far buzz of a news city room click of typewriters. call of 'Tele phone Curley. take booth 9 ant Copy up.' then Clia's voice again.
 Judy, did start this. telling yo about the Lampere-Maritellan COT ference in the file room?"
 q believe so. Clia. But don't sa anything about it. It might but tn other parties on guard. l can trus | yOil I know"