The Washington herald., 1908-03-08

way. Sentimentalists may write screeds
and poets sonnets. but you'n find. my
boy, that the only true friend you'll haze
IN life IS your own pocket"
Charlie was not In the humor 10 be
lectured. and more especially upon his
passionate devotion to Maud. He was
annoyed that Statham should have fsInd
II out; and yet, knowing the wide-reaching
sources OF information possessed by the
ole millionaire. II was scarcelS. to be Won
dered at.
-Of course he admitted. impatiently.
there is good deal Of truth in your ar
gument, even though it be a rather blunt
one. Yet are not some men happy with
the love of a good wife?"
A few-alasl very few" Statham re-
piled Think Of our greatest men. Near
~ all Of them have had skeletons in their
cupboarGs because OF their early iafatua-
tons. OF some. their domestic unhappi-
ness is well known. Others have. how
ever hidden II from the world. preferring
10 suffer rather than 70 humiliate them
selves or admit their foolishness." he
said. with a calm cynicism To-day
you think me heartless. without senti-
ment. because you are inexperienced.
Twenty years hence. recOlIect my words.
and you viii be fully in accord with me.
and probably regret deeply not having
followed my advice
With his thin hand he turned over some
papers idly, and then. after a moment s
pauAe. his manner changed. and he said
with a good-humored laugh:
on won't listen 10 me- I know. Rolfe.
SO what is the use Of expounding my
theory?"
1T Is very valuable" the young man
declared. deferentially. 4 know that
you are antagonistic toward women An
London is aware of that"
And they think me eccentric-eh2" he
iaugned- Wei, do not want them So
ciety l have no use for. II Is all too shall
low too ephemeral. and too much make
oelleVe II l wished 10 go into society to-
morrow, II would welcome me. The door
Of every house in this neiehborhood would
be opened 10 me. Why2 Because my
money is the key by which I can enter.
The most exclusive set would he de-
hghted 10 come here. eat my dinners.
hsten 70 MY music. and borrow my
money But who among the whole of
that narrow. fast-living little world would
care know me as a poor MANI I have
known what il is 70 be poor. Rolfe.~ he
went on; poorer than yourself. The
world knows nothing OF my past--of the
romance OF my life. One day. when l
am dead. II may perhaps know. Bu, un-
III then ! preserve my secret"
he was leaning back IN his padded
chair staring straight before him iust
as ne had been an hour ago.
les. he continued: Il recoilect cre
coid January night when I passed along
the pavement yonGer."' and he jerked his
hhser IN The direction OF the street 7
was penniless. hungry. and chilled to the
a f~4
ing from this very house. and I beeged
from him few coppers. for had tasfe5
nothing that day, and. further my moor
lhother was dying at hOme-dVinn OF
starvation. The man refused. and cursed
me Tot daring 10 ask charity. I turned
upon MIN and cursed him in return. and
vowed that II ever had money I would
one day live in his house. He ieered af
me and called ME a maniac
but, strangely enough. my words v,Ara
prophetic Ny fortune turned me-
pered / am to-day living in the bonSe
OF The man who cursed me. and that ma
himself was compelled 20 beg charity 0f
me All. yes"' he exclaimed. suddenly
rising from his chair with a sigh. .sTbe
world little dreams OF what my past bas
Deeh. Only one man knows-the man
you told me. Rolfe little time ago was
in England and alive"
''What-the man Adamsg- exc7air,,,7
Rolfe. in surprise.
-ffes, replied his employer. in a bsarse
changed voice. He knows everything >
Things that would be detriment7l IN
youE asked The private secretary. SLOWLY
he Is unscrupulous. and would prove
certain Things that-well, II admir- TO
you IN strictest confidence. Rolfe-that II
would be impossible for me 10 face
Charhe stared at him in utter amaze
Then YOU have satisfied yourself thar
What | told you is cOrreetgr
disbelieved you when YOU told me
But ! no longer doubt"
'Why?"
Because have seen him to-dav-seen
MN with my own eyes. He was standing
out1lae' there against the ratings. watch
ingfthe house"
And did he see you2''
He saw and recognized me"
Charlie gave vent 10 a low whistle u
recognized the seriousness of the stt1,a-
ton AS private secretary he was in old
Statham's confidence 10 a certain extent
but never before had he made surb an
admission OF fear as that he had lust
done. '''S'
Where is he now?'
don't know. Gone 20 prepare his
coup for my ruin. most probably was
the old mans response in a strained. m
natural voice. But listen. Rolfe have
told YOU to-day what I would tell no
other man. In YOU have reposed many
commences, because I know YOU well
enough to be confident that you will
never betray them"
You honor me, sly. by those words. -
1he young man said. Il endearor 10
serve you faithfully. as Il is nv duty. 7
am not forgetfuI OF all that Won have
done for my sister and myself"
1 know that you are grateful. Rolfe -
he said placing his bony hand upon the
young mans shoulder Therefore 7
seek your aid in this very delicate affair.
Inc man Adams has returned from the
Srave-how | do not know. So utterly
bewiidering is il all that I was al first
under the belief that my eyes were de-
ceiving me-that some man had hAen
made up to resemble him and 70 iunose
upon me. Yet there is no imposture
The man whom know 10 be dead IS here
in London, and aIive"'
But did you actually see him deadY'
asked Rolfe, innocently.
Old Statham started quickly at the
question.
Er-well-no. mean. 1 didn't exactly
see him dead myself" he faltered.
Then how are YOU so very positive
that he died?"
Well. there was a funeral. certificate.
and insurance money was. l believe.
paid"
That does not prove that he died re-
marked Rolte. Il thought 1 understood
you to say distinctly when we spoke of it
the other day that you had actually stood
beside the dead body of John Adams. and
that you had satisfied yourself that life
was extinct"
No. no. cried the old man. uneasily.
his race hianched. '!f / led you TO sup
pose that, was wrong. / meant to imply
that from inform, ffo,, fr,rDfr;,oa ~