Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-05-31

Z" Wv sV0ek 0\Su9S "N0s
I think the last sale was at a figure be
tween $4,000 and 100000"
Indeed! Was fathers seat worth
as much as that?"
YES"
But" with q sigh, "that, I suppose
went with the rest Of the estate"
YES"
Into the hands of the man who took
1t anT"
"Yes; the same hands," with O sly
smile at his own private joke.
Then how does 1t happen that my
uncle has 1t 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 he"
Eyes. And l think you know he
has, Mr.. Sylvester. I know it be-
cause he told me 80 himself. Didn't
you know it," f..
IL cannot answer these questions"
he declared. 'They involve profession.
al secrets and
II don't see that this is a secret. My
uncle has already told me. What l
could not understand was how he OBJ.
tanned the seat from the man to whom
1t was given as a part Of fathers debt.
Do you know how he obtained It'll"
"Er-well-er-probably an arrange
ment was made. l 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 lame kept a
secret, but who does such queer things!
Who Is he?"
Caroline, ! tell you l cannot answer
these questions. He does wish to re-
main unknown, as I told you and our
brother when we first learned of him
and his claim. If l were to tell you
l should break my faith with him.
You must excuse me; you really must
isn't he my uncle, Elisha WarrenY
Sylvester was halfway to the door.
but she was in his path and looking
him directly in the face. he hesitated.
II thought So" she said. "You needn't
answer, Mr.. Sylvester. Your face Is
answer enough. He is. How could I
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 bis
forehead.
"Wheww he exclaimed. "Well by
George"
She paid no attention to him, but
went on, speaking apparently to her
self.
at explains everything" she said
"He was fathers brother, and father
in some way took and used his money,
But father knew what sort of mar ht
was, and so he asked him to be oui
guardian. Father thought he would
be kind to us, l suppose. And he has
been kind-he has. But why did he
keep 1t a secret? OF course the money
was his. All we had was his by right
But to say nothing and to let US be
heve"-
Sylvester interrupted quickly. "Caro
line, Caroline" he said. don't make
any mistake. Don't misjudge your
uncle again. he Is a good man, one
Of the best men I ever knew. Yes
and one Of the wisest."
, "Oh. Mr.. Sylvester, please, now that
l do know, now that you have told me
so much. won't you tell me the rest
the reason and all Of 1t? Pleased"
The lawyer shook his head, regard
ing her with an expression of annoy
ance and reluctant admiration.
Snow that I've told you," he repeat.
ed. 81 don't remember that I've told
you anything"
CTo BE CoNTINUED)