"While in New York," he presently resumed, "I probated Madam Lee's
will. She was possessed of a large estate and knew very definitely
what she wanted done with it. The will was made several years ago, and
no document that I have ever seen was more specifically and
conscientiously drawn up. Although she left jewels and heirlooms to my
family, she left none of her other property to the Galbraiths,
explaining that her daughter had all she needed and that both Cynthia
and Roger had more already than was good for them." He smiled
humorously. "I guessed pretty accurately what she intended to do, as
some time ago we talked the matter over, and I heartily approved of her
proposed bequest."
He cleared his throat and in wondering silence Robert Morton waited.
"The property was left in bulk to an old friend whom Madam Lee had
known for years--some one entirely outside the family."
Bob did not speak.
"I would gladly see the Lee money administered as its owner desired to
have it," Mr. Galbraith went on. "Her ideas were wise, kind, and just,
and the fulfilment of her wishes would have brought to me--to us
all--the greatest happiness. But since that will was made a new
condition has arisen. Delight Hathaway, the child of her favorite
daughter, has appeared. Had the old lady lived, I feel certain that in
view of this fact she would have altered the document that this girl
might inherit at least a portion of the fortune in which her mother
never had any share. You knew Madam Lee very intimately, Bob--probably
better than any of the rest of us. What do you think?"
The reply came without hesitation.
"I am certain Madam Lee would have seen to it that her granddaughter
was provided for."
"So it seems to me," rejoined Mr. Galbraith with evident relief. "I am
glad that our code of ethics agrees thus far. Now the question is,
Bob, how strong are you for the right? If honorable action meant
sacrifice, would you be ready to meet it?"
"I hope so," was the modest response.
"I know so," Mr. Galbraith declared earnestly, "and it is because I am
so sure of it that I came to you to-day. Bob, it was to you that Madam
Lee left her fortune. It was to be used for the furthering of your
dearest wish because--to quote her own words--_because I love the boy
as if he were of my own blood_."
As he listened, Robert Morton's eyes grew cloudy, and emotion choked
his utterance until he could not speak.
Apparently Mr. Galbraith either expected no reply or tactfully
interpreted his silence, for without waiting he continued:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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