The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-03-12
CHAPTER X.

ID
All Meanwhile in a small room of the
courthouse still more serious con-
yersation was in progress. DR.. Talbot,
Mr.. Fenton and certain able lawyer
In town by the name of Harvey were
in close discussion. The latter had
broken the silence of years and was
telling what he knew of Mrs. Webb's
affairs
y He was a shrewd man of unblem-
! fshed reputation. When called upon to
talk, he talked well. but he much pre-
ferred listening. and was. as now APP
peared, the safest repository of secrets
to be found in all that region. He had
been married three times and could
still count Is children around his
board. one reason perhaps why he had
learned to cultivate silence to such
degree. Happily the time had come
for him to talk, and he talked This is
what he said:
"Some Is years ago Philemon Webb
Z came to me with a small sum of money
which he said he wished to have me
invest for his wife. 1t was the fruit
of small speculation of his, and, he
wanted it given Internationally to her
without her knowledge or that Of the
neighbors | accordingly made out a
deed Of gift, which he signed with
joyful alacrity. and then. after due
thought and careful investigation,
put the money into new enterprise
then being started in Boston 1t was
the best stroke of business ever did
4 IN, WI fa A 49, ~ y
double. and after five years had rolled
away the accumulated interest had
reached such sum that both PhiIe-
mon and myself thought it wisest to
let her, know what she was worth
! and what was being done with the
money was in hopes it would lead
her to make some change in her mode
of living, which seemed to me out Of
keeping with her appearance and men
tai qualifications, while he, imagine,
looked for something more important
still, smile on the face Which had
somehow lost the trick of merriment,
though it had never acquired that of
ill nature. But we did not know
Agatha, at least did not
when she learned that she was rich.
she looked at first awe struck and then
q heart pierced. Forgetting me, or ignor-
ing me, it makes no matter which, she
threw herself into Philemon's arms and
& wept, while he, poor faithful fellow,
looked as distressed as if he had
brought news of a failure instead of tri-
umphant success. suppose she thought
of her buried children and what the
money would have been to her if they
had lived; but she did not speak of
them, nor am quite sure they were in
her thoughts when, after the first eX-
citement was over, she drew back and
said quietly, but in tone of strong
feeling to Philemon: You meant me a
happy surprise, and it shall be so, Phil
emon. This is heart money. We will
use it to make our townsfolk happy
saw him glance at her Dress which
was a purple calico. l remember it be
cause of that look and because of tho
sad smile with which she followed his
glance. Can we not afford now,' he
ventured, "a little show of luxury, OF
!, at least a ribbon or so for this beauti
full throat Of yours? She did not an
swer him, but her look had rare com
passion in it, a compassion strange tt
say, that seemed to be expended upol
him rather than upon herself. Phile
mon swallowed his disappointment
Agatha is right he said to me. we d,
mot need luxury. do not know how
$50 far forgot myself as to mention it.
That was ten years ago, and every da,
since then her property has increased
did not know then. and do not know
now, why they We're both so anxious
that all knowledge of their good for
tune should be kept from those abou
them, but that it was to be so kept wa
made very evident to me, and, not
withstandfng all temptations to th
contrary, have refrained from utter
ing word likely to give away thei
secret. The money, which to all ar
Hearance was the cause of her tragi
dnd untimely death. was interest NOR
4y which was delegated to deliver t
per. took it to her day before yes
terday, and it was al! in crisp. ne,
hotes, some Of them twenties, but mos
.jof them tens and fives. am free
fsay there was not such another roll Z
fresh money in town."
E warn all shopkeepers to keep
lookout of the money they receive,
twas DR.. Talbots comment to the col
stable. Fresh $40 and $40 Hills al
not any too common in this tow
] And now about her will. Did 70
draw that up. Harvey?"
No. did not know she had mad
>one. often spoke to her about til
-adyisability of her doing SO, but sl
always put me off,. And now II, seen
that she had it drawn up in Boston
Gould not trust her old friend wit
too many secrets, l suppose"
$50 you don't know how her none
has been left?"
mo more than you do"
Here an interruption occurred. I'll
door opened, and a slim young ma
wearing spectacles came in. At sigl
of him they all rose.
"Well?" eagerly inquired DR.. TIA
bot.