[The Treasure of Heaven by Marie Corelli]@TWC D-Link book
The Treasure of Heaven

CHAPTER XX
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Only I'd rather not be put to more expense than I can help." "Just so!" And the worthy solicitor sighed, as he realised that there were no "pickings" to be made out of his present visitor--"Have you brought the document with you ?" "Yes, sir!" Helmsley fumbled in his pocket, and drew out the paper with a well-assumed air of hesitation; "I'm leaving everything I've got to a woman who has been like a daughter to me in my old age--my wife and children are dead--and I've no one that has any blood claim on me--so I think the best thing I can do is to give everything I've got to the one that's been kind to me in my need." "Very right--very proper!" murmured Mr.Owlett, as he took the offered document from Helmsley's hand and opened it--"Um--um!--let me see!----" Here he read aloud--"I, David Helmsley,--um--um!--Helmsley--Helmsley!--that's a name that I seem to have heard somewhere!--David Helmsley!--yes!--why that's the name of a multi-millionaire!--ha-ha-ha! A multi-millionaire! That's curious! Do you know, my man, that your name is the same as that of one of the richest men in the world ?" Helmsley permitted himself to smile.
"Really, sir?
You don't say so!" "Yes, yes!" And Mr.Owlett fixed his spectacles on his nose and beamed at his humble client through them condescendingly--"One of the richest men in the world!" And he smacked his lips as though he had just swallowed a savoury morsel--"Amazing! Now if you were he, your Will would be a world's affair--a positively world's affair!" "Would it indeed ?" And again Helmsley smiled.
"Everybody would talk of it," proceeded Owlett, lost in rapturous musing--"The disposal of a rich man's millions is always a most interesting subject of conversation! And you actually didn't know you had such a rich namesake ?" "No, sir, I did not." "Ah well! I suppose you live in the country, and people in the country seldom hear of the names that are famous in towns.

Now let me consider this Will again--'I, David Helmsley, being in sound health of mind and body, thanks be to God, do make this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all former Wills, Codicils and Testamentary Dispositions.

First I commend my soul into the hands of God my Creator, hoping and believing, through the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour, to be made partaker of life everlasting'-- Dear me, dear me!" and Mr.Owlett took off his spectacles.

"You must be a very old-fashioned man! This sort of thing is not at all necessary nowadays!" "Not necessary, perhaps," said Helmsley gently--"But there is no harm in putting it in, sir, I hope ?" "Oh, there's no harm! It doesn't affect the Will itself, of course,--but--but--it's odd--it's unusual! You see nobody minds what becomes of your Soul, or your Body either--the only question of importance to any one is what is to be done with your Money!" "I see!" And Helmsley nodded his head and spoke with perfect mildness--"But I'm an old man, and I've lived long enough to be fonder of old-fashioned ways than new, and I should like, if you please, to let it be known that I died a Christian, which is, to me, not a member of any particular church or chapel, but just a Christian--a man who faithfully believes in the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ." The attorney stared at him astonished, and moved by a curious sense of shame.

There was something both pathetic and dignified in the aspect of this frail old "working man," who stood before him so respectfully with his venerable white hair uncovered, and his eyes full of an earnest resolution which was not to be gainsaid.


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