Chapter VII. A VISTA OF NEW FORTUNES
Nan said nothing to Bess Harley, her particular chum and confidant,about the wonderful letter that had come from Scotland. Although Momseyand Nan talked the legacy over intimately that Saturday afternoon, andplanned what they would really do with some of the money "when theirship came in," the young girl knew that the matter was not to bediscussed outside of the family circle.
Not even the hope Nan now cherished of accompanying her chum to LakeviewHall when the next school year opened was divulged when the two girlswere together on Sunday, or on the days that immediately followed.
Nan Sherwood went about her household and school tasks in a sort ofwaking dream. Imagination was continually weaving pictures in her mindof what might happen if the vista of new fortunes that had opened beforethe little family in the Amity Street cottage really came true.
Papa Sherwood's first reports on the matter of the Scotch legacy werenot inspiring.
"Mr. Bludsoe says we'd better go slow," he said seriously. Mr. Bludsoewas a lawyer of high repute in Tillbury. "This letter may be written byan attorney in Edinburgh; but there are rascally lawyers there as wellas elsewhere. Bludsoe had correspondents in London. They may be able toinform him regarding the firm of solicitors, Kellam & Blake, if the firmreally is entered at the Scotch bar."
"Oh! But won't that mean delay?" murmured Nan.
"Meanwhile," said her father, smiling at her impatience, "we willprepare the papers identifying your dear mother so that, if thiswonderful new fortune should be a reality, we can put in a proper claimfor it. Just the same," he added to his wife, when Nan had left theroom, "I have written to that machine shop boss in Chicago that I amready to come to work any day he may send for me."
"Oh, Robert!" gasped the little lady. "Won't you believe?"
"Like the darkey who was asked if he believed the world was round, andsaid, 'Ah believes it, but Ah ain't dead sho' of it.' I presume thisgreat fortune is possible, Jessie, but I haven't perfect and abidingfaith in its existence, FOR us," said her husband.
But Momsey had just that quality of faith. She went singing about herhousehold tasks and her usual smile beamed quite beatific. So said Dr.Christian, who stepped in to see her, as was his custom every few days.
"What's this? What's this?" the old medical practitioner demanded of Mr.Sherwood, on the porch, where he usually made his report, and to whichNan often stole to listen openly to them discuss her mother's case."I find her in a state of happy excitement, and that is quite right,Robert, quite right, if the hopes that are the wellspring of it arenot quenched. What does it mean? Have you arranged the sea voyage Iadvised?"
Papa Sherwood's face changed suddenly. He looked oddly, Nan thought,at the doctor. "I don't know but that is it, Doc," he said. "That seavoyage may be in the offing."
"Best thing that could happen to her, best thing that could happen toher!" declared the old physician with emphasis, as he stumped away.
Nan wondered what that could mean. A sea voyage for Momsey? Of course,for all of them. She could not imagine Momsey going anywhere without herand Papa Sherwood.
She knew she was not to say anything about what she heard pass betweenher father and the doctor on the porch. Indeed, Nan was no bearerof tales in any event. But she was very curious. The steam from thecauldron of Mystery seldom arose in the little "dwelling in amity"save about Christmas time or just previous to Nan's birthday. But PapaSherwood certainly was enigmatical and Momsey was mysteriously happy, asDr. Christian had said.
"And we'll put steam heat in the little house. You know, Robert, we'vealways wanted to," Nan's mother suddenly said one evening as they allsat around the reading lamp, and quite apropos of nothing at all. Thenshe laughed, flushing prettily. "There! You see what my mind runs on. Ireally can't help it."
It was only a day or two later that the second letter came from Memphis.Mr. Adair MacKenzie had returned from Mexico and evidently one ofthe first duties he performed was to write his Cousin Jessie hiscongratulations.
"A letter on quite another matter," this epistle read, "from our distantkinsman, Andrew Blake, of Kellam & Blake, apprised me that the ancientHugh Blake, steward to the Lairds of Emberon for so many years, was deadand that his property was willed to your father, whose appearance as alad at Emberon pleased the old man greatly.
"You are to be congratulated. The estate is considerable, I understand.Your husband's troubles which are mentioned in your letter that Ifound awaiting my return will now be over. For, although Andrew Blakeintimates that there may be considerable opposition in the courts there,over the money going to an American heir, you will be able in the end toestablish your rights.
"Believe me, my dear Jessie, I know of nobody in our family to whom Iwould rather see fortune come than to yourself and your dear ones. IfI can be of any assistance, financially, or otherwise, in helping youobtain your rights in this event, believe me, I stand ready to give suchaid. Do not hesitate to call upon me. My regards to your husband andlittle girl whom I have never seen; Alice and John join me in expressingour good wishes for your happy future. I remain, with the old love Ialways had for you, Your cousin, Adair MacKenzie."
"Now, Robert, what have you to say?" cried Momsey triumphantly, whileNan danced a fandango about the room.
"This much," replied her husband, smiling. "Our minds are relieved onone point, at least. Kellam & Blake are respectable attorneys. We willsend our communication to Mr. Blake at once, without waiting for Mr.Bludsoe's enquiries to bear fruit. Your Cousin Adair knows the Scotchfirm, and of course vouches for their trustworthiness."
"Dear me, Papa Sherwood, you are so practical!" sighed Nan. She meant"vexing;" they were interchangeable terms to her mind at this excitingpoint. "Can't you work up any enthusiasm over Momsey's wonderfulfortune?"
"Its existence is established, it would seem, beyond peradventure," saidMr. Sherwood drily. "But our attempt to obtain the fortune is not yetbegun."
"Why, ee!" squealed Nan. "You don't really suppose anybody will try tokeep Momsey from getting it?"
"Exactly that," said her father. "The Blakes are a widely scatteredclan. There are probably a number of people as close in blood-tie to theold man who has just died as your mother, my dear. These people may allbob up, one after another, to dispute Momsey's claim."
"But, dear me!" gasped Nan. "The money was willed to Momsey."
"Nevertheless, these other relatives, if there be such--can keep Momseyout of the enjoyment of her rights for a long time. Court processes areslow, and especially so, I should judge, among the canny and carefulScotch. I think we would better leave it to the lawyers to settle. Wecannot hasten the courts by worrying over the fortune.
"I think," pursued Papa Sherwood judiciously, "that instead of spendingour time discussing and dreaming of the fortune in Scotland, we wouldbetter go right on with our tasks here as though there were really nofortune at all."
"Oh, my!" whispered Nan, her eyes clouding. "That's because of my lastfortnightly report. I know I fell behind in history and rhetoric."
"Don't be too hard on us, Papa Sherwood," said Momsey brightly."Anticipation is more than half of every pleasure. I lie awake everynight and spend this great fortune of ours to the very last penny."
"Of course," the little lady added, with more gravity, "I wouldn'treally spend fifty thousand dollars so recklessly as I do in my mind.But I can found schools, and hospitals, and educate Nan, and give you,Papa Sherwood, a great big business, and buy two automobiles, and-----"
"Enough! Enough!" cried Mr. Sherwood, in mock seriousness. "You are aborn spendthrift, Momsey. That you have had no chance to really be onethus far will only make your case more serious when you have this legacyin your possession. Two automobiles, no less!"
"But I want you both, my dears, to bear one very important fact in mind.Roughly estimated the fortune is ten thousand pounds. To be exact, itmay be a good deal less at the start. Then, after the lawyers and thecourts get through with the will and all, the remain
der that dribblesinto your pocket, Momsey, may be a very small part of ten thousandpounds."
"Oh, how horrid, Papa Sherwood!" cried Nan. "We won't listen to him,will we, Momsey?"
"Oh, yes we will," her mother said quietly, but smiling. "But we willstill believe that the world is good and that God has given us greatgood fortune. Papa talks very sensibly; but I know that there is nothingto fear. We are going to be very well off for the rest of our lives, andI cannot be thankful enough for it."
At that Mr. Sherwood literally threw up his hands. "Nevertheless,"he said, "I expect to go to Chicago next Monday, to begin work in themachine shop. The boss writes me that I can come at that time."
"I will get your clothes ready for you, Robert," said Momsey calmly."Perhaps you will feel better in your mind if you keep busy during thistime of waiting."
Nan Sherwood at Pine Camp; Or, The Old Lumberman's Secret Page 7
