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“Yes, yes,” said the old man, impatiently. “What is
the use of going over all this?”
“Eight years later,” went on Tom, without noticing
the question, “my mother died. Then the eiitire property
became mine, and, at the urgent request of iiiy mother
on her dying bed, you were appointed my gnardiaii."
“Yes,” interrupted Mr. Crawford, wiping away an
imaginary tear, “and that request, which should be sacred
to you, you are about to ignore.”
“Because.” said Tom, “you have been unfaithful to
I your trust.”
“Dare you accuse me?” began the old man, with a
slfow of‘ indignation.
“I dare speak the truth,” interposed Tom, “and, I may
as well tell you at once that I know all.”
“All-all what?" asked Mr. Crawford, weakly, con-
sciousness of guilt written in every line of his face.
“You understand me well enough. I have suspected
you for a long time, and for several weeks past Mr.
Floyd has been quietly but iridustriously investigating
matters. He has discovered that you have misappropri-
ated no less than thirty thousand dollars of my moiiey."
“It’s a lie!” cried Mr. Crawford, with ashen lips.
“It is the truth,” said Tom; “and were it not for my
respect for the memory of my mother. I would not now
be making these explanations, for a word from me would
land you in a fclon’s cell.”
‘'1 will hear no more,” began Mr. Crawford.
you to prove what you say.”
“If you force me to do so it will be an easy task,” re-
plied Tom, “but I don’t think you will care to proceed
to extremes. I have a much better plan to suggest.”
“What is it P"
“I will tell you, sir. You are a whited sepiilcher. The
world believes you to be a just and upright man; my
poor mother believed it, too. Because you were her
brother, because the same blood courses in your veins as
in mine, I am willing to show you mercy. Therefore.
all I ask is that you resign your guardianship of me, and
sign papers, which are already prepared by Mr. Floyd,
agreeing to restore an amount equivalent to all you have
stolen within a certain term of years. Do this, and all
will be well. Mr. Floyd will be appointed my guardian,
and the world will never suspect your guilt. Refuse, and
I shall have to resort to other measures. Now take your
choice.”
For a few moments Mr. Crawford was silent, but
Tom knew that he could make but one reply. At last he
said:
“I accept your offer. Thomas.”
"A wise decision,” said the boy. “I am sorry to see
you thus humiliated, but your disgrace is of your own
bringing on.”
“The temptation was more than I could bear," began
the old man, breaking down; “I thought I saw a chance
to double the money, and I---”
“Explanations are not necessary," interposed Tom,
“for I have a pretty good idea of the state of affairs.
Mr. Floyd will be here in an hour or two. and the neces-
sary legal formalities can be attended to."
“But this European trip of yours." cried Mr. Craw-
ford; “what has put that idea into your head ?"
“My health has been failing for some time," replied
“I defy
BRAVE A ND BOLD.
our hero, “and it is about time that something was done
about it."
“But you can do nothing better than remain with those
who love you and will care for you with a devotion which
you could never expect to receive from a stranger.”
“I suppose you refer to yourself,” said Tom, with
something very like a sneer.
“Yes, I do."
“VVell, then. sir,” said the boy, with more feeling than
he had yet displayed, “let me remind you that until I
became an inmate of your house I never had a day's ill-
ness, aiid that since that time I have been constantly ill."
“What do you infer from that ?” demanded Mr. Craw-
ford, with a show of indignation.
- “I infer nothing at all,” replied Tom; “but I will
51-mply Smtc that, having consulted an eminent pliysi-
cian. I find that the symptoms of my complaint are those
of slow poisoning.”
Mr. Crawford sat staring at the boy without a word.
“I do not forget,” continued his ward, “that by tilt‘
terms of my mother’s will you will succeed to the csmtl
if 1 die before reaching the age of twenty-oiie. But I
propose to attain my majority, if possible."
Scarccly had Torn uttered the last word when Illr.
Crawford sprang to his feet, rushed toward the boy, and
shaking his fist in his face, demanded: '
“You young scoundrel, do you dare insinuate " “
At this moment a servant entered, announcing;
“Mr. Floyd, sir.” ‘
- “Show him in.” ordered Toni, as the man stood star-
ing; in surprise at his master, whom he had probably
never seen so much excited before.
Almost immediately Mr. Floyd, a gentleman of 21l,)(‘1Ii
f0Tl.V.i Whose reputation in legal circles was enviable. and
who had been a lifelong friend of Tom's, Cntcrml.
We need not give in detail the conversation that fol-
lowed. Suffice it to state that Mr. Floyd very soon
succeeded in convincing Tom’s rascally uncle that ‘llC had
no alternative but to resign his guardianship of the b0)‘
:tll3t,‘1I1(l(’C(l, he was very lucky to be allowed the op-
portunity to do so on such easy terms,
‘VVhen, at the expiration of half an hour, our hero and
his lawyer left;Mr. Crawford’s Madison Avenue resi-
d?‘‘Cc- ‘'1 the P3Tl0T Of which the conversation we have
given took place, the necessary legal preliminaries had
been arranged.
F1;)‘l:]t’J‘X‘V<ll;1(1lt'lI may consider" you my guardian, Mr.
'V ’ ‘d ( Omv 35 tilt." walked down Madison AW”
“U9 t0!-feflicr. “I suppose I must ask your permissimi to
takeilie liuropean trip which I have been pl21I’lI]i1lfII'”
1 "l hat is liardly necessary," smiled the lawyer, “for yml
know that, aside from the consideration ofwour llCf!lill.
IrStI‘()llj.[l'V approve of it. There's nothing iafxttcr for .1
lilccbglriiii than travel. It is great c(l<..ca-
have you “NEW, 9“? )0“ 113% engaged your berth.
“Yes, sir."
1.
ylm kriow who YOU? roommate is to be ’"
i O. t ie ot ier berth in tli A ‘l
, C room .:1 - - . = Q11!“
when I took mine." 11 d not how m“ i
“I hope it will be some
Floyd, “for an uiipl
Mr.
congenial person." said I
re
easant, cranky roonmiate can nri.
"f'1(WZ',“'!'1<’r‘l
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