Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1938-01-31

lnCO al the complications which
follow when a poor man marries
a rich woman. But these are
points I must explain. First of
all, I myself was an interested
party in a will Of my uncle's, by
which I was then expecting short
ly to inherit sum Of money
rather larger than my wife's for
tune. This sum actually came to
me about six months ago. Tt was
delayed by some legal difficulty.
Secondly, it. might be as well for
you to know how our private
finances were arranged. My wife
retained her income absolutely in
her own hands. but at her own
wish she met all the expenses Of
this house. My own private ex-
penses were few, and my small
income amply suficed for them.
Since I have inherited the sum
have mentioned, however, I have
not allowed my wife to use her
money for anything but herself
The rest Of the details, such az
her own will. you may learn from
Mr.. Williams"
The investigators were looking
up now. It was M. Picon wins
spoke. "And the stepson b
queried.
"Has never reappeared. My
wife used at one time to worry
about him a great leal. She felt
that she had taken away what
justly belonged to him. She even
went to the extent Of advertising
for him, but without result. You
can imagine how concerned she
was over anything like that. She
was a very generous womaA."
Lord Simon Plimsoll spoke
rather uneasi1y. "You won't mind,
Doctor, if we ask you one or two
questions 2"
by all means"
what was the name Of Mrs.
Thurston's first husband?"
Burroughs"
"And the village where she wag
brought up?"
"Watercombe. near Cheltep-
ham,"
"And no one has any idea what
has happened to this young man z"
II certainly have not"
M. Picon broke in. $50 that,
helaS," he said, "he might "
dead?"
1T is possible" said DR.. TnlzE-
ston.
COR, on the other hand, he
might be in this house," said Lord
Simon.
DR.. Thurston smiled very faint
ly. II don't think that is likely.
You see, know everyone here"
Eyes, Doctor. But suppose
course it is the merest supposition
suppose that this young man
had by any chance reappeared.
How long, for example, have you
known Townsend 2" And he
glanced without apology at me.
about three years.
"And Strickland 2"
Rather longer" g.. /
do you happen to remember
how you met Strickland ?"
my wife met him. In town. I
believe. She had a good many
friends. She asked him down
here, and I liked him. Always
have done. irresponsible fellez,
but very good sort!"
'Then Norris, Doctor?"
"Well, he also came heee
through my wife. I know where
she met him, though. It was at
the Bagleys. about six miles from
here. They make some preten-
sions towards being literary. I be-
lieve, and often have fellows like
Norris staying there"
'"Then again, the chauffeur.
How did he come into your en-
ploy?"
my wife engaged all the SER
wants. She was far more prac-
tical than am in such things"
He paused. But really, you know,
Lord Simon, if you're supposing
that my wife's stepson could have
been in the house. masquerading
as one of our friends or employees.
I must tell you that I think the
idea is too far-fetched. The fell
low disappeared years ago."
Lord Simon smiled. "You
mustn't mind me, Doctor" he
said. II was born inquisitive."
(TO Rn COntinuedl