The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-12
CHAPTER x.

TIE MAN WITH THE LONG BEARD.
Meanwhile In a small room Of the
courthouse a still more serious con-
versation was in progress. DR.. Talbot,
Mr.. Fenton and a 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.
He was a shrewd man Of unblem-
1shed reputation. When called upon to
talk. he talked we'll but he much pre-
ferred listening. and was. as now ap-
peared. the safest repository Of secrets
TO be found in all that region. He had
been married three times and could
It'll count Is children around his
hoard. one reason perhaps why he had
learned to cultivate silence to such
degree Happily the time had come
for him 70 talk. and he talked This is
what he said:
'Sor,e IL years ago Philemon Webb
came to me with n small sum Of money
which he said he wished to have me
invest for his wife. 1t was the fruit
of a small speculation of his. and he
wanted it given Internationally to her
without her knowledge or that Of the
neighbors. | accordingly made out
deed OF gift. which be 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
In my life. At the end OF a year it paid
double, and after five years had rolled
away the accumulated interest had
reached such sum that both Phile-
mon and myself thought ii 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. I imagine.
looked for something more important
SIN, a smile on the face which had
somehow lost the trick Of merrImenr.
though 1t had never acquired that of
ill nature. But we did not know
Agatha, at least I did not
when she learned that she was rich.
she looked at first awe struck and then
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 n failure instead of tri-
umphant success. | suppose she thought
of her buried children and what the
money would have been to her IL they
had lived: but she did not speak OF
them. nor am | quite sure they were in
her thoughts when. after the first ex-
element 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 |
cmop. This is heart money. We will /
use IL to make our townsfolk happy |
saw him glance at her dress, which |
was purple calico. / remember Ii be- |
cause of that look and because of the |
sad smile with which she followed his |
glance. Can we not afford now he |
ventured. a little show of luxury, or |
at least a ribbon or so for this beauti- !.
full throat OF yours?' She did not an
swer him. but her look had a rare COM
passion in it, a compassion. strange to |
say, that seemed TO be expended upon |
him rather than upon herself. Phile- |
mon swallowed his disappointment |
Agatha is right he said to me. we do |
not need luxury. 1 do not know how I |
SO far forgot myself as to mention IT. |
That was ten years ago. and every day /
since then her property has increased |
did not know then. and do rot know
now. why they were both so anxious /
that all knowledge OF their good for
tune should be kept from those about
them. but that IL was to be so kept was
made very evident to me. and. not
withstanding all temptations to the
contrary, | have refrained from utter.
Ing word likely to give away their
secret The money. which to all sp-
pearance was the cause of her ira 1ic
and untimely death. was interest men-
ey which was delegated to deliver e