The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-04

honor, and in six months more he was
dead. He died of pneumonia, the doc
tors said, but knew he died of broken
heart, the victim of foul treachery and
unmerited disgrace. And all the i'll that
came to him was the work Of trusted
friend.
John Latham uttered an exclamation
of indignant surprise, for he felt that
she was telling but the horrible truth.
For moment the furious energy of her
speech was checked, and her lips moved
in silence, as If she were uttering an
inaudible prayer or more probably voic-
ing in her soul an execration upon the
dead mans faithless friend. Then, with
a sigh and passing her hand YEARLY
across her brow, she continued in some
what calmer tone:
"My husband was not altogether free
from blame legally in the transaction
which afforded the opportunity for his
ruin, but l, who knew his heart and all
the circumstances Of his action, know
that no shadow of dishonest purpose
ever entered his mind. He had become
security in q large amount for man
with whom he had business relations,
and there was every reason to believe
that that man would not be able to meet
his obligations when they fell due. I
Knowing that the holder of the notes
was an avaricious, hard and merciless
man, who would grant no time and
would not scruple to prosecute the in
dorser at once and sell him out in or
der to seize upon all the law would give
him, my husband temporarily put al
most all he possessed into the hands of
one who had been his most intimate and
trusted friend from boyhood.
I'm order to guard against question
of the apparent validity of the transfer,
it was made to appear that he had part
ed with everything in exchange for
some stocks which were well under
stood to be absolutely valueless. By
this means, it was thought, delay would
be compelled and time gained to enable
the drawer of the notes to realize upon
certain property he held and to pay his
debts. After which it was understood,
and even stipulated between them in a
secret writing, that my husband and
his friend should retransfer the property
and the valueless stocks. Thus no one
would have been injured or have suf-
fered even q small loss. But when the
debtor had satisfied h.. creditor, as he
was unexpectedly eni~ed to upon the
maturity of his obligations, without the
solvency of the indorser being ever
called in question, my husbands friend
coolly refused to give up the property
he held, denying all knowledge of any
such understanding as my husband al
legged and declaring bona fide the pur-
chase of the worthless stocks. Of course
my husband brought suit against the
audacious robber, but at great disad
vantages The withdrawal of so large
sum from his business precipitated him
into bankruptcy. He had scanty means
to prosecute his suit, and the treacher-
GUS thief who had robbed him, having
the money, could employ the best legal
talent for defense against him. Worse
that all else, the most material witness,
the man who held that secret writing,
mysteriously disappeared. While the
contest was still on in the courts my
husband died. Then the case was quick
is now a very rich man and highly re-
spected citizen. read In the papers a
few days ago speech made by him up
on some public occasion, in which he
said that heaven had prospered his en-
deavors. I suppose that is correct. And
his most successful endeavor, the one
that laid the foundation for his great
wealth, was the spoliation of the widow
and child of the man who had trusted
him as a friend
although fully sympathize with
you in your misfortunes and share your
Indignation at the abominable treachery
Of which you have been a victim, fail
to see why these things should stand in
the way of your daughter becoming my
wife. love her. She loves me- shall
be good husband to her. 1t seems to me
that it would be more philosophic to
seek whatever happiness may yet be in
store for you and her under improved
conditions of life than to go on brooding
over such a melancholy past and sacri-
ficing all the Joy Of life to it."
"You must permit me, Mr.. Latham,
to be the judge of what is best for me
and mine. My life is vowed to avenging
Justice, and my daughter has shared my
vow. Not until the lost witness is found,
the robber and assassin Of my husband
punished, restitution made and our hon.
orable name cleared from the stain that
scoundrel put upon it to shield himself
may Adele think of love and marriage"
Perhaps, if you would permit me to
do so, might be able to aid you in at :
tainment of the end you have in view,
or at least in demonstrating the practi-
cability or impracticability Of the en-
deavor to do So"
The old woman seemed to reflect upon
the suggestion, and he began to hope he
had found way for ultimately winning
her favor, but when, after a little ST.
lence, she answered him her words soon
dispelled his hope.
"No," she said. "You could not help
u.s. The strands of our lives will never
be twisted into one cord. Go and forget
us if you can. Let Adele alone. She has
taken my obligation upon