Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/158

146 a very great benefit—the greatest benefit—on you."

"What do you mean?" asked the surprised Letty.

"Only this. A week or two ago he called Reggie and me into the library one afternoon, and there lay his will on the library table—and he asked us to act as witnesses and read us the will—and you are—"

Ethel paused a moment. Letty was leaning forward deeply interested.

"Did he leave me money for a pair of pearl bracelets?" she cried.

"No. He made you his residuary legatee, after giving away a few thousand dollars to other people," answered Ethel.

Letty was quick of wit, and took in at once what Ethel meant. Mr. Romaine had left her his fortune.

She grew a little pale and lay back in her chair. Her first feelings were full of contradictions, as her emotions always were where Mr. Romaine was concerned. Money was a delightful thing—she had found that out—but Mr. Romaine's money! And sometimes she hated Mr. Romaine, and laughed at him behind his back—and now she would have to