Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-10-07

further protest would tell in Jacks favor
Il will admit that you have consider
able power in this strange branch of nee
romancy if you will answer me a few
questions.
Proceed, said Jack gravely, meeting
his eyes firmly and without finching.
Tell me what is most on my mind a
the present moment
The want of male heir Jack re
piled promptly, and thanked Mrs. Still
well in his heart
"Pshaw, You have learned from Burk,
that have no children said Sir Lewis
boldly, but he was little taken aback
Anything else
The memory of harsh decd that
you now strive in vain to redeem.
This borders on impertinence, said
Sir Lewis with hot blush on his cheek
and passion in his eyes. but let US
leave distractions and try tangible reali-
ties. Can YOU tell me what have in
this pocket" He touched the left
breast of his tail coat.
a pocket book"
bah! Ca IA san dire. Every one
carries a pocket book in his pocket
But do you:' asked several of the
by-standers, all of whom were growing
deeply interested in this strange duel
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed he did,
and produced it-an ordinary morocco
leather purse and pocket book combined.
"Arc you prepared to 60 on said
the baronet haughtily to Jack.
Certainly"
"What does this pocketbook contain
"Evidence.'
The contest between them was now a
dWraHce.
Evidence of what"
"Of facts that must sooner or later
come to light. You have in that
pocketbook links in a long chain of cir
cumstances which, however carefully con-
ccaled or anxiously dreaded, time in It's
memorable course must bring eventually
to light. There is no bond: says the
Spanish proyerb, which Is not some day
fulfilled; no debt that in the long run Is
not paid.
What ridiculous nonsense. | give
you my word, this pocketbook contains
nothing-absolutely nothing-but a Bank
of ENGLAND note for flOO.'
Stay" cried Jack Newbiggin, facing
him abruptly and speaking in u voice OF
thunder. 1t is not so-you know it
it is only the half"
And as he spoke he took the crumpled
paper from the hands of the really stupc-
fed baronet. It was exhibited for IN
spection-the half of a Bank Of England
note for fl00.
There was much applause at this
harmless and successful denoument Of
what threatened at one stage to lead to
alteration, perhaps to quarrel. But
Jack New biggin was not satisfied.
AS YOU have dared me to do my
worst, said Jack, listen now TO what |
have to say. Not only did | know that
was only the half Of a note, but know
where the other half is to be found.
$50 much the better for me, said the
baronet, with an effort TO appear humor-
Gus.
That other half was given to-shall
| say, Sir Lewis
Sir Lewis nodded inditferently
ut was given to one Hester Gorrigan,
an Irish nurse, six years ago. 1t was
the price of a deed Of which YOU
"Silence! Say no more, cried Sir
Lewis in horror. Il see you know all.
swear | have had no peace since | was
tempted so sorely, and 50 weakly fell.
But am prepared TO make all the resti-
tuition and rcparation in my power-un-
less, unhappily, unhappily unless 1t be
too late.
Even while he was speaking his face
turned ghastly pale, his lips were covered
with fine white foam, he made one or
two conyulsive attempts to steady him
self, then with a wild, terrified look
around he fell heavily to the floor.
1t was a paralytic seizure. They took
him up stairs and tended him; but
the case was desperate from the first. On
! " lust before the end did he so far re-
cover the power of speech as to be able
tn make full confession of what had
occurred.
Sir Lewis had been a younger son
the eldest inherited the family title, but
died early, leaving his widow to give him
posthumous heir, the title remaining in
allowance until time showed whether the
infant was a boy or girl 1t proved to
be boy, whereupon Lewis Mallaby, who
had the earliest intimation of the fact,
put into execution a nefarious project
which he had carefully concocted in ad-
vance. A girl was obtained from a
founding hospital and substituted by
Lady Mallaby's nurse, who was in Lew
ISIS pay, for the newly born son and heir
This son and heir was handed over to an
other accomplice, Hester Gorrigan, who
was bribed with flO0, half down in the
shape of half note. the other half tc
be paid when she announced her safe ar
rival in Texas with the stolen child
Mrs. Gorrigan had an unquenchable
thirst, and in her transit between London
and Liverpool allowed her precious charge
to slip out of her hands, with the conse-
uuences we know.
It was the watch borrowed from Sil
Lewis Mallaby which first aroused Jack $
suspicious. 1t bore the strange crest
two hammers crossed. with the motto