ge Grimes and his wife had considered so often the benevolences they
would like to undertake if they had a million dollars that they could
have named them all at a moment's notice without referring to a
memorandum. Nearly everybody has engaged in this pastime, but the
Grimeses were to have the singular experience of the power to make their
dream a reality placed in their hands.

For one day George came flying home from the bank with a letter from the
executors of General Jenkins (who died suddenly in Mexico a week or two
before) announcing that the General had left a million dollars and the
country-seat in Susanville to George Grimes.

"And to think, Mary Jane," said George when the first delirium of their
joy had passed, "the dear old man was kind enough to say--here, let me
read it to you again from the quotation from the will in the letter: 'I
make this bequest because, from repeated conversations with the said
George Grimes, I know that he will use it aright.' So you see, dear, it
was worth while, wasn't it, to express our benevolent wishes sometimes
when we spoke of the needs of those who are around us?"

"Yes, and the General's kind remark makes this a sacred trust, which we
are to administer for him."

"We are only his stewards."

"Stewards for his bounty."

"So that we must try to do exactly what we think he would have liked us
to do," said George.

"Nothing else, dear?"

"Why, of course we are to have some discretion, some margin; and
besides, nobody possibly could guess precisely what he would have us
do."

"But now, at any rate, George, we can realize fully one of our longing
desires and give to the people the lovely park and library?"

George seemed thoughtful. "I think, Mary Jane," he said, "I would not
act precipitately about that. Let us reflect upon the matter. It might
seem unkind to the memory of the General just to give away his gift
almost before we get it."

They looked at each other, and Mrs. Grimes said:

"Of course there is no hurry. And we are really a little cramped in this
house. The nursery is much too small for the children and there is not a
decent fruit tree in our garden."

"The thing can just stay open until we have time to consider."

"But I am so glad for dear old Isaac. We can take care of him, anyhow,
and of Mrs. Clausen, too."

"To be sure," said George. "The obligation is sacred. Let me see, how
much was it we thought Isaac ought to have?"

"Twelve hundred a ye