The Jasper news., 1918-06-20
CHAPTER XlV-Continued.
Copyright. 1911, by D. Appleton q Co.


many just as valueless. But we have
been gradually getting those out of
the way and listing and appraising the
remainder. 1t was a tangle. Your
brothers business methods, especially
OF late years, were decidedly unsys-
tematic and slipshod. 1t may have
been the condition of his health which
prevented his attending to them as he
should. Or" he hesltated slightly, 'it
may have been that he was secretly in
great trouble and mental distress. At
all events, the task has been hard
one for us. But, largely. owing to
Graves and his patient work, our re-
port was practically ready month
ago"
He paused. Captain Elisha, who had
been listening attentively, nodded.
Yes" he said; you told me twas.
What does the whole thing tot up to?
What's the final figger, Mr.. GravesT
Never mind them now, Graves" in
terrupted Kuhn. 1.-THE amount, rough.
ly speaking, is close to over our orig
inal estimate, half million"
The captain drew breath of relief.
Well" he exclaimed, that's all right
then, amt it2 That's no poorhouse
pension"
Sylvester answered "Yes," he said
that's all right as far as 1t goes"
"Humph! Well, cal'late could
make it go to the end OF the route
and then have enough left for a re-
turn ticket. Say" with another look
at the solemn faces Of the three, what
Is the row? If the estate Is wuth ha'f
a million what's the matter with it?'
THAT is what we are here this morn
ing to discuss, captain. A month ago,
as / said, we considered our report
practically ready. Then we suddenly
happened on the trail of something
which upon investigation upset all our
calculations. If true it threatened,
not to mention its effect upon the es-
tate, to prove so distressing and pain
full to US, Rodgers Warren's friends
and legal advisers, that we decided not
to alarm you, his brother, by disclosing
our suspicious until we were sure there
was no mistake. / did drop you hint,
you will remember
81 remember. Now we're comm to
the rock!"
Sylvester was evidently disturbed.
Captain Elisha, regarding him intent
ly, nodded.
~ Judge It's sort of hard for you to
go on, Mr.. Sylvester" he said. "I'll
help you all can. You and Mr.. Kuhn
and Mr.. Graves here have found out
somethin' that amt exactly straight
in Bije's doin's-somethin's he's done
thats-well, to speak plain, that's
crooked?"
I'm afraid there's no doubt Of it."
"Humph" The captain frowned
His cigar had gone out, and he idly
twisted the stump between his fin
gers. "Well," he said, with a sigh
''our family, centrally speakin', has al
ways held its head pretty high. Dat
was poor, but he prided himself ol
bein' straight as a plumb line. And, a
for mother. She I" = Then, look
Ing up quickly, he asked, Does any
body outside know about this? p
mo one but ourselves-yet."
"Yet? Is it goin to be necessar,
for anybody else to know it?"
I'VE hope not. But there is a posi-
bility."
II was thinkin' about the children"
"Of course. So are we ALL"
"Um-hm. Poor Caroline! She pu
her father on a sort of altar and bow
ed down afore him, as you might say
Any sort of disgrace to his name woul
about kill her. AS for me-" with an
other sigh, 81 amt SO much surprises
as you might think. l know tina
sounds tough to say about your ow
brother, but I've been afraid all alonl
You see, Bile always steered prett
close to the edge of the channel. II
had ideas about honesty and fair dea
in In business that didn't jibe wit
mine. We split on just that, as toll
you, Mr. Graves. when you and fus
met. He got some South Denboro folk
to invest money along with him-soI
of savin's account, they hggered it.
but 1 found out he was usin' 1t {
speculate with. So that's why we ha
our row. / took pains to see that tn
money was paid back, but he and
never spoke afterward. Fur as m
own money was concerned, l hadn
any kick, but =" However, II
talkin' too much. Go on, Sylveste
I'm ready to hear whatever you've &c
to say"
"Thank you, captain. You make