"He wished to visit the village where he was born,

and Bates, his companion and servant, went to Vermont

with him. He died quite suddenly, and was buried beside

his father in the old village cemetery. I saw him

last early in the summer. I was away from home and

did not know of his death until it was all over. Bates

came to report it to me, and to sign the necessary papers

in probating the will. It had to be done in the place of

the decedent's residence, and we went together to Wabana,

the seat of the county in which Annandale lies."

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I was silent after this, looking out toward the sea

that had lured me since my earliest dreams of the world

that lay beyond it.

"It's a poor stake, Glenarm," remarked Pickering

consolingly, and I wheeled upon him.

"I suppose you think it a poor stake! I suppose you

can't see anything in that old man's life beyond his

money; but I don't care a curse what my inheritance is!

I never obeyed any of my grandfather's wishes in his

lifetime, but now that he's dead his last wish is mandatory.

I'm going out there to spend a year if I die

for it. Do you get my idea?"

"Humph! You always were a stormy petrel," he

sneered. "I fancy it will be safer to keep our most

agreeable acquaintance on a strictly business basis. If

you accept the terms of the will-"

"Of course I accept them! Do you think I am going

to make a row, refuse to fulfil that old man's last wish!

I gave him enough trouble in his life without disappointing

him in his grave. I suppose you'd like to have

me fight the will; but I'm going to disappoint you."

He said nothing, but played with his pencil. I had

never disliked him so heartily; he was so smug and

comfortable. His office breathed the very spirit of prosperity.

I wished to finish my business and get away.

"I suppose the region out there has a high death-rate.

How's the malaria?"

"Not alarmingly prevalent, I understand. There's a

summer resort over on one side of Lake Annandale.

The place is really supposed to be wholesome. I don't

believe your grandfather had homicide in mind in sending

you there."

"No, he probably thought the rustication would make

a man of me. Must I do my own victualing? I suppose

I'll be allowed to eat."

"Bates can cook for you. He'll supply the necessities.

I'll instruct him to obey your orders. I assume

you'll not have many guests,-in fact,"-he studied the

back of his hand intently,-"while that isn't stipulated,

I doubt whether it was your grandfather's intention

that you should surround yourself-"




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