Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1919 — THE SETTLEMENT [ARTICLE]

THE SETTLEMENT

By JOSEPHINE MURPHY.

(Copyright. McClure Newspaper Syndlcalfcj In lier youtli Janet H —— had known every luxury. Her father had been a wealthy merchant. Many wooers had sought her hand, but only one had made a favorable impression on the girl’s mind. His name was Ralph B . and he earned his bread as a reporter on the staff of a daily newspaper. On stich a person Mr. II was not disposed to bestow his daughter. His success in business had turned his head and he looked forward to Janet marrying one-ef—Mghrer social Tng. Ralph met with only cold glances from Mr. and Mrs H when he encountered them. •» Gradually his visits ceased, and before the’ collapse of Mr. H- -’s InislUess- -the-- young man had gone, no one knew where or whither; -few* cared. —Neither Mr. H— — or his wife long survived Iheir change In fortune. The former had invested all the money he could raise in a new, and ns it turned out, bogus company. Thus Janet was entirely unprovided for. She entered the Mayton hospital, from which she late? graduated as a private nurse. Her first case was with Norman W . an old man of very* comfortable means. Here she remained as his nurse and faithful servant until death called him. His entire property 7 was bequeathed to her at his death. The antiques and curious old statuary of the mansion held a strange eh arm for her. About a week - after Mr. W ’s death site was sitting in the library reading when the sound of an auto brush!ng the curb came to her ears. Laying aside the book, she arose from her chair and started to walk toward the window; but was Interrupted by a knock on the library door.. To her answer the maid announced that a young man wished to see her. Glancing at the card the maid had handed her, Janet recognized the lawyer’s name.— ——-——— “Very well,” said Janet. “Show him in.” “Good evening, Miss II— —. I have rather strange news for you,” he remarked, as he sat down. “Proceed.” said Janet. “Well,” began the lawyer. “it appears in some valuable papers of Mr. W—>— that he did have, ;l married daughter, who, through some family “disagreement. had left her father’s home. The girl has since died, but her only child, now a young man. -still survives,-and he lias put in a claim for his mother's share of the property. I have come to Inform you beforehand. I shall bring this young man do see you - tomorrow ■ and we shall decide what further proceedings shall take place.”— “Certainly!” said Janet. “I shall be very glad to give up_that which belongs to another.” After he left she sighed gently. She wondered if she would now have to face the cold world again. She had, however, managed to save a neat sum; thus she would o not be utterly penniless and after a° short rest she would start out once more. The next morning found the lawyer and Mr. VV- -s grandson on their way to the mansion. As the young man entered his eves opened in wonderment, as did Janet’s, at the an--tlques; etc. . - “Say." he gasped, is something worth while looking for.’’ - .- They had finally reached and had been seated but a few minutes when Janet entered. “Janet! Miss H ! I never thought, never Imagined I should see you!” “And you. Ralph B , are Mr. W— —’s grandson?” “So it seems,” said Ralph. “I am so glad, so glad !” cried Janet. “Did I not mention Miss H ’s name?” the lawyer questioned. “I must, have been unusually stupid.” Ralph did not answer. He still held Janet’s hand, and at length the lawyer so far recovered his wits as to quit the room. When he n'ext saw the two nolnention was nmde-of-Jtmeßs-desire-rto linquish the estate, and the lawyer put forth a tentative query. “Settlement?” “All. yes, we have arrived at a settlement,” Ralph said, with a joyous laugh, - '“since Janet has consented to marry me.”