“Can it be possible!” exclaimed Ronald. “Where in the world does it come from?”
“Listen,” she said, and went on to read the letter aloud; merely a business one it was, informing her that the late Mr. Himes had made a will shortly before his death, bequeathing to her—Miriam Heath—all his earthly possessions, consisting principally of the money he had received for his farm and some United States bonds, amounting in all to $10,000.
He had told Captain Charlton that he had no near relative or friend—no one to whom he cared to leave anything; and having a high estimate of Miriam’s worth, and a great admiration for what he called her pluck and enterprise, he had selected her for his heir in preference to any one else.
“There,” cried the excited girl, waving the letter above her head, “it will be more than enough to save the place and stock the farm, too, with all the cattle we want!”
“But, Mirry, it is left to you personally; not to us as a family,” said Ronald.
“Well, what of that? What do I want with money, except to save the dear home for us all?” she cried, half indignantly, half in exultation.
“Dear, unselfish child!” her grandmother exclaimed, gazing at her through tear-dimmed eyes; “but we must not let you rob yourself.”
“You needn’t be one bit afraid I shall do that, granny dear,” Miriam cried, springing to her feet and throwing her arms about the old lady’s neck; “I’ll be sure to look out for number one.”
“When are you going to begin so doing, sister mine?” asked Ronald, with a good-humored laugh.
Bertie and Olive came running in from the garden with the announcement that the captain was coming.