The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-04-01

responsibilities Of creditor" said the
old lawyer. But l fear | would be
playing a part which l have no right
to fill. Your indebtedness to me GER
tainly is not on my books"
"The debt was incurred many years
ago. No doubt you cancelled it as
worthless.
Perhaps l did," said the old man.
But the fact has escaped my memory.
| Can you recall the amount?"
The stranger shook his head.
There was no amount specified" he
answered
This may account for the fact that
| it is not on my books" said the old
man. Am l to understand that it is
a debt of sentiment"
"Of gratitude" the stranger respond
ed.
The old man stared hard at the stran-
ger.
Il cannot make you out" he said.
'You are not only stranger to me, but
to Joyville customs as we'll Such long
memories, in such remarkable con-
nection, are quite unknown to our lit
tie town"
rs it as dull as it was in the earlier
days." the stranger asked.
THE town? l think So"
And as narrow and bigoted?"
well, yes"
Pity you stayed here, Abel Garner"
No doubt. At the same time you
should remember you are aspersing my
loyalty to the village of my choice"
Yes. But this does not worry me.
l looked about the town before | came
to you. 1t has changed very little in
the past 20 years.
"You lived here, thcn?"
mot through choice"
Lived here 20 years ago?"
Eyes"
Again the old lawyer shook his head
You are puzzle can't make out"
he said Twenty years ago you were
mere boy"
"A boy of fifteen. You were a staid
member of the bar of As. | remember
looking up to you in double sense"
mo doubt" scid the old lawyer, "you
have a story to tell. May I suggest
that you have aroused my curiosity?"
The stranger leaned back in his
chair.
There is story" he said. "Are you
kept from some other engagement be-
cause Of my loquacity?"
You have engaged my time, as l
take it, said the old man. go ahead"
"On one condition." said the stranger
and he suddenly smiled; you will
promptly let me know when the re-
tainer expires"
The lawyer laughed.
Give me credit" he said, "for still
possessing keen sense of humor. Ac-
cocCing to Joyville presidents your re-
tainer-as you call it-would hold me
for say ten years at loast."
Very well, said tho stranger. "And |
now to business" The word seemed !
Il am business man." he added.
"And yet not quite dead to senti-
ment," suggested the lawyer.
II admit 1t is unbusinesslike. But !
indulge in it rarely. Now tell me, Is
there anything Of unusual interest to
engage the l,nguid attention of JOY
ville?"
"Yes," said me old lawyer. "This af-
ternoon the new public library is to be
dedicated-a most beautiful building,
the gift of wealthy philanthropist. 1t
will be noblo monument to his gen.
crosby"
who is the mani"
His name is John Allen Barnes"
who is he?"
"He is the millionaire merchant of
New York. You must have heard OF
him"
Perhaps. And why should he give
library to Joyville?"
Nobody knows. No one has had the
chance to ask him."
rs he expected here to-day?"
even that is uncertain We UNDER
stand that he is busy man and O
man who dislikes ostentation. All the
details have been arranged by CORES
pondence."
What have you to do with this ded-
ication?''
Il am the chairman of the library
committee.
Yes" The stranger paused and
smiled at the old mans questioning
look. your man will be in town, MIR.
Garner"
Good" cried the lawyer. Then you
know him."
Intimately. But this isn't fair to
you. man must keep no secrets from
his legal adviser" He suddenly