Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13
XIX.
The Seat of Justice.

Father Francis took the first train in
the morning to London and made his way
to 1913 Wharf road, Rotherhithe. 1t was
a six-roomed house in mean and dirty
street.
The door was opened by Gus Dixon.
and he ushered the preacher into small
and shabbily furnished room and closed
the door.
Very sudden" he said. in soft voice.
such as a man uses in the presence of the
dead. HE has only been ill three days.
Much the same as your own case, out he
hadn't your strength. This money MAX
ing is a terrible strain on the constitu-
ton
ell for three days?" queried Father
Francis. sharply. why was l not told
p Why was l not sent for?"
Mrs. Lampirthy did not wish ii and
the doctor thought it would be unwse;
besides. it would have been of no use.
He was unconscious most of the time
He is here in this house,"
Yes"
Il should like to see him."
VERY we'll. 1 will ask Mrs. Lam
pirthy."
He left the room and Father Francis
knew at once that he was an unwelcome
visitor. The secretarys tone was barely
civil and his manner was distinctly hos
tile. In minute or two he returned.
Yes, you can see him." he said, in a
whisper. IT will take you to the room.
Afterward Mrs. Lampirthy would like to
see YOU"
He showed Father Francis to a small
bedroom upstairs. The richest man in
the world lay upon a cheap iron bed
stead. The preacher advanced to the side
of the bed and then turned to Gus Dixon.
Leave me-" he said. sternly. II should
l. oil Il, hi
The secretary left the room and closed
the door. Father Francis turned back
the sheet and looked at the dead mans
face. 1t seemed small and chldlike. 1t
was no longer the face of the fighter, of
the strong man who had ruined thousands
in the battle for wealth.
He gazed at it for a while, and then
looked round at the room in which the
man had died.
"He lived like a poor man." he said to
himself: ''he died in this cottage-an ex-
ample to all the world of how rich man
NAV live and die. He will have his re-
ward"
And as he fell upon his knees and
prayed his heart was filed with great
joy and he gave thanks to God.
Ten minutes later he left the room. Gus
Dixon met him at the foot of the stairs.
Mrs. Lampirthy will see you,'' he said.
CURLY. and he opened the door of small
back room.
Father Francis entered. The widow
was seated at a bare deal table. which
was covered with black-edged paper and
envelopes. She did not rise as he closed
the door behind him, and glance at her
hard white face told him that any ex-
preston of sympathy on his part would
be out of place.
You wished to speak to me?" he asked,
gently.
Yes" she replied. "wfl you please
sit down..
II will not sit down. Mrs. Lampirthy."
he said. after pause. but l will listen
10 what you have to say"
Il want to tell you something she
said. quietly 1T is something of great
Importance to YOU and your work.
think it advisable that you should know
at once"
II will listen" he replied.
"A few weeks ago my poor dear hus-
band made will in which he left more
than half his fortune to the cause in
which he took such an interest This
money to be invested in the names
of two trustees. of which you were one.
The amount included all the shares in the
paper combine and several millions in
gilt-edshd securities.
She paused. waiting for look of pleas
ure to come into the mans face, but she
disappointed. Father Francis eyed
her with a cold look OF disa pproval.
That will" she continued softly.
was never completed or signed. 1t re-
quired good deal of alteration. The
previous one leit everything 10 SlDyl and
myself"
Again she paused waiting for the de-
sired effect but again she was dsap-
pointed. The mans face was like a
mask of stone.
Father Francis made no reply to her
statement. Perhaps it required no COM
ment.
These are the facts of the whole bust
ness. said Mrs I.&.:.. ir.hy. after a
pause. and | wish you to understand
them. | have taken Mr. Lampirthy' S
place and for the future you will have to
look 10 me for funds"
Father Francis moved a step forward
and laid one hand on the table.
why don't you come to the point -
he said. iii a low voice. why don't you
say straight out that you have no inten-
ton of supplying me with any funds at
all?'
Il am so glad you understand" she re-
piled. with a smile. You have spared
me the pain of telling you
Father Francis folded his arms and
bowed his head. His lips moved as if in
prayer. Then he suddenly raised his eyes
and the woman shank from his gaze.
Mrs. Lampirthy.' he said slowly.
may God forgive me for the thoughts
that were in my mind. for the words that
were on my lips. And may God forgive
you and soften your heart. so that you
will not be afraid in the hour of death"
You have not asked me why | am do
ing this she continued. why | am
forced to do this horrible thing"