The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-06-29

| fees Of Sylvester, Kuhn & Graves
The clerk who had taken his place was
very respectful.
Captain Warren" he said, 'Mr. SyE
vester is at the Central club. He
wished me to ask If you could conven.
iently join him there"
Captain Elisha pondered. "Why, yes"
he replied slowly, II s'pose / could.
| | don't know why couldn't. Where Ia
| this-e r-club of his?"
ION Fifth avenue, near Fifty-second
street. I'll send one Of our boys with
you If you like"
"Oh, no. / can pilot myself, guess
| I amt SO old can't ask my way"
The captain found the Central club,
| ponderous institution occupying a
becomingly gorgeous building on the
avenue. Mr.. Sylvester was expecting
him, and they dined In the club restau.
rant.
'Now, Captain Warren, Just how
much do you know about your late
brothers affairs7" asked Mr. Sylvester
| at the conclusion Of the meal.
Except what Mr.. Graves told me,
n0thin' of importance. And, afore we
go any further, let me ask question.
Do you know why Bile made me his
executor and guardian and all the rest
Of it?"
Il do not. Graves drew his will, and
so, Of course, we knew of your exist
ence and your appointment. Your
brother forbade our mentioning it, but
we did not know until after his death
that his own children were unaware
they had an uncle. 1t seems strange,
doesn't itT
ut does to me; so strange that I
can't see two lengths ahead. / cal1ate
Mr.. Graves told you how felt about
| it?"
Eyes. That is, he said you were very
much surprised"
That's putin 1t mild enough. And
did he tell you that Bile and hadn't
seen each other, or even written, In
eighteen yearsT'
| "Yes."
"Um-hm. Well, when You consider
that can you wonder i was set all
aback? And the more think OF it the
foggier it gets. Why, Mr.. Sylvester, it's
one Of them situations that are impos
sible, that you can prove fifty ways
can't happen. And yet, It hast sar
tinly has. Now tell me: Are you on
your firm well acquainted with my
brothers affairs7''
mot well, no. The late Mr.. Warren
was a close mouthed man, rather se-
cretive, in fact Have you questioned
| the childrenY
Caroline and Steve7 Yes. I've qnes.
toned 'em more than they think have,
maybe. And they know-well, leavin'
out about the price Of oil paintin'a and
the way to dress and that It's mere or
less Of a disgrace to economize on
twenty thousand a year, their worldly
knowledge amt too extensive"
do you like them?"
Il guess so. Just now amt the fair
est time to judge 'em. You see, they're
sufferin' from the joyful shock of their
country relation droppin' In, and
He paused and rubbed his chin. His
lips were smiling, but his eyes were
not. Sylvester noted their expression
and guessed many things.
"They haven't been disagreeable.
hope?" he asked.
moo. No, I wouldn't want to way
that. They're young and-and, well, !
amt the kind they've been used to.
Caroline's nice girl. She is, sure.
All she needs is to grow little cider
and have the right kind Of adv ice and
and friends"
| "How about the boyr' Mr.. Sylvester
had met young Warren, and his eyes
twinkled as he spoke.
steve? Well"-there was an answer.
ing twinkle In Captain Elisha's eye
well, Steve needs to grow. too, though
! wouldn't presume to tell him so. When
a feller's undertaken 10 give advice to
one of the seven wise men he has Co
be diplomatic, as you might say"
The lawyer put back his head and