Page:The achievements of Luther Trant - Balmer and MacHarg - 1910.djvu/319

Rh Mr. Axton twenty years ago. It was my mother who, just before Mr. Nimrod Axton's death last year, required that, in the will, the son—the first Mrs. Axton was then dead—should be cut off absolutely and entirely, without a cent, and that Mr. Axton's entire estate be put in trust for her—my mother. So, since you doubtless remember the reopening of all this again six months ago when my mother, too, died, I am now the sole heir and legatee of the Axton properties of upwards of sixty millions, they tell me. Yes; I am that Miss Waldron, Mr. Trant!"

"I recall the accounts, but only vaguely—from the death of Mr. Axton and, later, of the second Mrs. Axton, your mother, Miss Waldron," Trant replied, quietly, "though I remember the comment upon the disposition of the estate both times. It was from the pictures published of you and the accompanying comment in the papers only a week or two ago that I recognized you. I mean, of course, the recent comments upon the son, Mr. Howard Axton, whom you have mentioned, who has come home at last to contest the will."

"You do Miss Waldron an injustice—all the papers have been doing her a great injustice, Mr. Trant,Trant,(quote) [sic] Caryl corrected quickly. "Mr. Axton has not come to contest the will."

"No?"

"No. Miss Waldron has had him come home, at her own several times repeated request, so that she may turn over to him, as completely as possible, the whole of his father's estate! If you can recall, in any detail, the provisions of Mr. Axton's will, you