Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-13
Finding
Out

BY EVELYN LEE


issue that is Shelved?"
1T has been n crying matter to me-"
answered the young girl seriously. 1T
worried my father nearly to death;
1t has been on my mind ever since he
died. I do not know what dreadful
secret was involved. but while deliri-
Gus father referred to 1t. 1 feel it my
duty to look into the matter. He
was good man, was father. as both
Of us know. but there might have been
misstep, a temptation in the past
placing him under the power of an en-
envy, blackmailer. No, cannot rest
until know the worst, and 1 am de-
termined to get the facts concerning
this mystery. which certainly darkened
my fathers life"
But II your father was unable to
free himself from what you believe to
be the extortion Of q person having
some hold upon him, how can you hope
to succeed?"
II have my plan," replied Luella,
the spirit of resolve and confidence in
her steadfast eyes. II know the name
Of the man whom he has visited year
after year. I have found some letters
he wrote to father. They are terse,
sharp. demanding payments mutually
agreed on. If made no move. and
even If this Arson Ladd never trou-
bled US again, I should be living I'M
der q constant dread. Seemingly I
shall 60 to the city and earn my own
living. but all I am thinking Of Is
probing the mystery of fathers deal
ings with Arson Ladd, lawyer. Brooks
building. Springfield"
So Luella Morse left her pretty ma
tive town with no conf1dante as to her
real purpose except Acton Brill. whom
she knew she could trust. She was
n sensible girl, and lovely, too, and she
found board and lodging with a re-
spectacle old lady just on the edge of
the business section Of the city. Then
she located the office of Arson Lndd.
Several times she passed it's door,
reading his name upon it's panels. She
found its sole occupant to be young
man whom she took for a clerk. Then
she summoned her courage to attempt
the plan she had formed in her mind.
"Can I see Mr.. Arson Ladd?" she
inquired, being now near enough to
the supposed clerk to observe that he
was very handsome and pleasant
faced young man.
81 am his son, Robert Ladd." came
the explanation. "My father died sew
eral weeks since. Did you have some
business with him?"
"Why, not exactly" answered Lu-
ofh
ed If he needed my help in the office.
But of course"
"What can you do?" inquired young
Mr.. Ladd, with token of friendly in
terest in his face.
81 understand the typewriter and
can take some dictation," said Luz
ella.
The young man seemed to ponder.
He asked her name. She gave 1t as
Verona Tresham, feeling the decep-
ton excusable.
''Tell you, Miss Tresham." spoke
Robert Ladd, after pause, "there is
not much to do here, but was think
ing Of advertising for some one to
take charge of the office when 1 am
away and type few letters occasion
ally. You see, about all I have had
to do was to go over my fathers pa
pers. and sort them out ans clean up
lot Of useless rubbish. What's left is in
his old desk yonder," and Luella's eyes
glOwed as they rested on the battered
old receptacle pointed out by the
speaker "My father owned a great
deal Of city property and my main en-
ployment is looking after mortgages
and rents"
Luella felt that providence was in
deed helping her as she left the Ladd
office, engaged to report for work the
next morning at reasonably good SAB
airy. The dead mans papers! In
that desk. Had the son discovered
the possible one covering the dealings
of the old lawyer with her father?
Ever these thoughts were in her
mind during the rest Of that week. A
natural impetuousness influenced her
to set ut work ut once to investigate
that old desk, but it was locked, and
she knew that she must use caution.
The next morning Mr.. Ladd an
nOunced that he would not be at the
Office the next day. The first thing
the following morning Luella set about
investigating the old desk. She
worked ut its lock with wire until
she had 1t opened. She was explor-
ing document after document when
Mr.. Ladd entered the office.
"Why, Miss Tresham, what is this?"
he inquired bewildered.
Luella stood aghast. Then her
usual composure deserted her. She
felt guilty and helpless under the
gaze of her employer. She burst into