The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-09-14

I think the last sale was at a figure be.
tween $4,000 and 100000"
"Indeed! Was fathers seat worth
as much as thatT"
Eyes"
"But," with a sigh, shat, I suppose,
went with the rest of the estate"
EYES,"
"Into the hands Of the man who took
it all?'
"Yes; the same hands," with a sly
smile at his own private joke.
"Then how does it happen that my
uncle has it in his possession?"
The lawyer smiled no more. He
turned In his chair and gazed quickly
and keenly at the young lady beside
him. And her gaze was just as keen
as his own.
"Why! Has hep
Eyes. And I think you know he
has, Mr.. Sylvester. I know it be.
cause he told me so himself. Didn't
you know it?"
"I-I cannot answer these questions"
hedeclared. 'They involve profession.
ss..Secrets and ~
81 don't see that this is a secret. MY
uncle has already told me. What
could not understand was how he OBJ
tanned the seat from the man to whom
1t was given as part of fathers debt
Do you know how he obtained it?'
"Er-well-er-probably an arrange
ment was made. I cannot 60 into de.
tails because-well, for obvious rea.
sons. You must excuse me, Caroline"
Zone moment MORE" she said, sand
one more question. Mr.. Sylvester, who
is this mysterious person-this stock.
holder whom father defrauded. this
person who wishes his name kept q
secret, but who does such queer thingsf
Who is he?"
/ Caroline, tell you I cannot answer
these questions. He does wish to re.
main unknown, as told you and your
brother when we first learned Of him
ana his claim. If were to tell you
should break my faith with him,
You must excuse me; you really must"
isn't he my uncle, Elisha Warren?-
| sylvester was halfway to the door,
put she was in his path and looking
MIN directly in the face. He hesitated.
Il thought So" she said. "You needn't
answer, Mr.. Sylvester. Your face Is
answer enough. He is. How could l
have been so blind?"
The lawyer, nervous, chagrined and
greatly troubled, remained standing by
the door. He did not know whether
to go or stay. He took his handker.
chief from his pocket and wiped his
| forehead.
"Whew" he exclaimed. "Well, BY
GEORGE"
She paid no attention to him, but
went on, speaking apparently to her.
self.
1T explains everything" she said
He was fathers brother, and father
| in some way took and used his money.
But father knew what sort of man he
was, and so he asked him to be our
guardian. Father thought he would
ue klnu W uS, suppose. AND ne has
been kind-he has. But why did ha
keep it secret? OF course the money
was his. All we had was his by right
But to say nothing end to let us be.
Aeve'-
Sylvester interrupted quickly. "Caro,
line, Caroline" he said, don't make
any mistakes Don't misjudge your
uncle again. lie is good pqan, one
of the best men / ever knew. Yes,
and one of the wisest."
"Oh, Mr. Sylvester, please, now that
/ do know, now that you have told M
so much, won't you tell me the rest,
the reason and all of it? Pleasev'
The lawyer shook his head, regard.
ing her with an expression Of annoy.
ance and reluctant admiration.
"Now that I've told you" he repeat.
ed. II don't remember that I've told
you anything"
CTo BE CoNTINUED)
"AlIied.Amcrican."
Jean was asked In Sunday school