Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-03-26

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"You must excuse me-"
The lawyer, nervous, chagrined ana
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.
"whewp 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 80 he asked him to be our
guardian. Father thought he would
be kind to us, 1 suppose. And he has
been kind-he has. But why did he
keep it a secret? OF course the money
was his. All we had was his by right.
But to say nothing and to let US be-
lieve"-
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 / 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 it? 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"
"But you have. Not in words, per
haps, but you have told me. know.
Please go on and tell me ALL II you
don't" with determination, II shall
make Uncle Elisha tell me as soon as
he comes. shall"
Sylvester sighed. "Wel, by Georgel"
he repeated feelingly. "I'll tell you
one thing, young woman, you're vast
ing your talents. You should be
member of the bar. Any one who can
lead a battle SCARED veteran OF cross
examination like myself into trap
and then spring it on him, as you have
done, is gifted by Providence. / ought
not to say another word on the sub
ject," he declared emphatically. "What
CAPTAIN Warren will say to me when
he finds this out is unpleasant to con-
slider. What is it you want me to tell
your"
+Everything. want you to sit down
here by me and tell me the whole story
from the beginning. Please"
He hesitated moment longer and
then, his mind made up, returned to
his chair, crossed his legs and began.
"Here it is," he said.
Caroline, about twenty years ago or
such matter your father was a COM
paratively poor man-poor, I mean,
compared to what he afterward be-
came. But he was clever man, an
able business man, one who saw oppor-
tunities and grasped them. At that
time he obtained q grant In South
America for
81 know" she interrupted. "The
Akrae Rubber company was formed.
You told Steve and me all about that.
What want to know Isl
"Wait. did not tell you all about
It. said that another man invested
$4,000 with your father to form that
company. That man, 80 we now
know, was your uncle, Captain Elisha
Warren"
81 guessed that. OF course 1t must
have been he"
ut was. The captain had saved
some money; also at that time he idol
lied his brother and believed in his
shrewdness and capability. he invest.
ed this $4,000 on Rodgers Warren's
word that the investment was likely to
be a good one, that and to help the
latter In business. For a few years
the company did nothing. During that
time your father and uncle disagreed
concerning another matter, quite un-
connected with this one-and they did
not see each other again while Rodgers
lived. In that long period the Akrae
company made millions. But Elisha
supposed it to be bankrupt and worth
less. because-well, to be frank, be-
cause his brother wrote him to that ef-
feet.
'Now we come to the win. Your "a.
Their, Caroline, was not q bad man at
heart. He realized how he had de-
frauded the brother who had been 90
kind to him, and he kept promising
himself to some day repay the money
he had taken. To insure that he put
that note with the other papers Of the
company. II he did repay It could be
destroyed; If he did not, II he should
die, it would be there to prove what
It did prove. But always In his mind
was the thought Of you and Steve, the
children he loved. He had quarreled
with his brother, it is true. He had
cheated him, but restitution for that
cheat he had provided. But what |
would become Of you, left-in case he
died without making restitution pen
niless7 he knew his brother, as I |
said. knew his character, respected his
honesty and believed In his conscien.
tiousness and his big heart So he
made his win, and In 1t, as You know, |
be appointed Elisha your guardian.
he threw his children and their future |
upon the mercy and generosity Of the
brother he had wronged. That Is his
reason. as we surmise Il, FOR making |
that WILL" So
Go b oontinued.j
NavInu Meney.