Brewsters Millions | Page 9

a single year in the
life of the heir, it was evident that Mr. Sedgwick did not intend to
impose any restrictions after the property had gone into his hands.
"How do you like it?" asked Mr. Grant, as he passed the will to
Brewster.
The latter took the paper and glanced over it with the air of one who
had heard but had not fully grasped its meaning.
"It must be a joke, Mr. Grant," he said, still groping with difficulty
through the fog.
"No, Mr. Brewster, it is absolutely genuine. Here is a telegram from the
Probate Court in Sedgwick's home county, received in response to a
query from us. It says that the will is to be filed for probate and that Mr.
Sedgwick was many times a millionaire. This statement, which he calls
an inventory, enumerates his holdings and their value, and the footing
shows $6,345,000 in round numbers. The investments, you see, are
gilt-edged. There is not a bad penny in all those millions."
"Well, it is rather staggering, isn't it?" said Montgomery, passing his
hand over his forehead. He was beginning to comprehend.
"In more ways than one. What are you going to do about it?"
"Do about it?" in surprise. "Why, it's mine, isn't it?"
"It is not yours until next September," the lawyer quietly said.
"Well, I fancy I can wait," said Brewster with a smile that cleared the
air.

"But, my dear fellow, you are already the possessor of a million. Do
you forget that you are expected to be penniless a year from now?"
"Wouldn't you exchange a million for seven millions, Mr. Grant?"
"But let me inquire how you purpose doing it?" asked Mr. Grant,
mildly.
"Why, by the simple process of destruction. Don't you suppose I can
get rid of a million in a year? Great Scott, who wouldn't do it! All I
have to do is to cut a few purse strings and there is but one natural
conclusion. I don't mind being a pauper for a few hours on the 23d of
next September."
"That is your plan, then?"
"Of course. First I shall substantiate all that this will sets forth. When I
am assured that there can be no possibility of mistake in the extent of
this fortune and my undisputed claim, I'll take steps to get rid of my
grandfather's million in short order." Brewster's voice rang true now.
The zest of life was coming back.
Mr. Grant leaned forward slowly and his intent, penetrating gaze served
as a check to the young fellow's enthusiasm.
"I admire and approve the sagacity which urges you to exchange a
paltry million for a fortune, but it seems to me that you are forgetting
the conditions," he said, slowly. "Has it occurred to you that it will be
no easy task to spend a million dollars without in some way violating
the restrictions in your uncle's will, thereby losing both fortunes?"
CHAPTER V
THE MESSAGE FROM JONES
A new point of view gradually came to Brewster. All his life had been
spent in wondering how to get enough money to pay his bills, and it
had not occurred to him that it might be as difficult to spend as to

acquire wealth. The thought staggered him for a moment. Then he cried
triumphantly, "I can decline to accept grandfather's million."
"You cannot decline to accept what is already yours. I understand that
the money has been paid to you by Mr. Buskirk. You have a million
dollars, Mr. Brewster, and it cannot be denied."
"You are right," agreed Montgomery, dejectedly. "Really, Mr. Grant,
this proposition is too much for me. If you aren't required to give an
immediate answer, I want to think it over. It sounds like a dream."
"It is no dream, Mr. Brewster," smiled the lawyer. "You are face to face
with an amazing reality. Come in to-morrow morning and see me again.
Think it over, study it out. Remember the conditions of the will and the
conditions that confront you. In the meantime, I shall write to Mr.
Jones, the executor, and learn from him just what he expects you to do
in order to carry out his own conception of the terms of your uncle's
will."
"Don't write, Mr. Grant; telegraph. And ask him to wire his reply. A
year is not very long in an affair of this kind." A moment later he added,
"Damn these family feuds! Why couldn't Uncle James have relented a
bit? He brings endless trouble on my innocent head, just because of a
row before I was born."
"He was a strange man. As a rule, one does not carry grudges quite so
far. But that is neither here nor there. His will is law in this case."