The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-11-16

one knew whittier, and the clerk dead, and
how on searching the register she discovered
that the leaf containing the records Of her
marriage had been torn out. She said that
then the return Of Sir George to the vestry
under the pretense Of getting his glove was
fully explained to her. She also expressed
her belief that the missing leaf Of the regis
ter was not destroyed, as Sir George had said
70 her that there was no knowing that some
day he might want q child to inherit his es-
tate and acknowledge hers, and that, 1mme-
diately after this, she followed him to the
library, watched him open 9 secret drawer
ID his desk, and saw him take therefrom and
examine what she felt sure was the leaf torn
from the register. That very evening she
was taken i'll and removed from the hall.
The Young man paused, and Mother Blen-
kin expressed satisfaction at the discovery
that his mother had been
A LAWFUL WIFE. :,
| And that her son was legitimate.
81 failed to ask the situation Of the secret
| drawer. but I have come hither TO get pos
session Of that missing leaf, the young man
said. "for that will yindicate my mothers
honor. and establish the legitimacy OF her
child"
"Philip, = ssaid the woman, Il hope you
will succeed, and whatever I can do to aid
you [ will do"
"You can aid me greatly, | believe,
Philip replied. Your cottage is on the very
outskirts Of the town, right under the shad-
ow Of the walls OF the hall. / have resolved
to get access to the desk and rip it in pieces
if needful TO reach the contents of the secret
drawer"
Although at first Mother BlenkIn showed
some fear and repugnance OF aiding Phlllp
in such desperate measures, she was at last
persuaded by him Of the business Of bis pur-
pose, and thai in this case the end justified
the means.
Next morning Philip was driven from the
inn in Leicester TO the cross roads where the
London coach passed. AS soon as he reached
the spot he dismissed the driver and babe
him return to the inn. Philip then went to
to a public house near by, and after spend
ing q few moments there, said he would
walk on and allow the coach to overtake
him.
TO each of her customers that morning
Mother Blenkin said that she was expect
ing visit from a nephew whom she had
never seen, who had been born and brought
up in a large city. The news was spread
among the neighbors, and another dropped
in to. say a word to the old lady and see what
she had to say about her relative.
A TRANSFORMATION.
In the meantime Philip Moore, after walk
ing q short way along the turnpike, turned
into q bride puth across the fields. At the
first convenient spot he drew from his sat
chel q suit Of plain clothes, such as an ordi-
nary mechanic Of the day wore for his best,
and removing his coat, vest and breeches,
put on the plain suit. In place Of his curved
beaver hat he substituted a low crowned soft
hat. Then he carefully wrapped the dis
carded suit in q cotton kerchief, and, put
ting his hat and q lot Of stones into the va
lise, cast it into q neighboring pond. As he
continued through the field towards the by
road leading to Leicester he cut a stout stick
and, singing the bundle over the end of his
stick and the stick over his shoulder, he went
on his way.
In due time he reached the outskirts of the
town, and, passing some way down Main
street, asked for the abode Of Mother Blenk.
in. It was shown to him, and he was soon
within the walls Of the cottage. Several Gus.
toners were il the shop when he arrived.
and the old lady played her part well, wei
coming her nephew, whom she called John
Blenkin, with apparent emotion, and garrul-
ously telling her customers his pedigree
This was on October 9th, 1897.
WORKING THE PLOT.
John Blenkin, as Mother Blenkin'
nephew, was well received by the neigh.
bors. He f%requented q public house known
as the Bamfylde Arms, close by, and there
soon made the acquaintance Of the servants,
who were constant visitors. Finally the
head groom employed him to do odd jobs
about the stables and the yard.
John kept his eyes and ears open, ane
used every opportunity to ascertain tht
various rooms in the Hall. Having discoY
cred the situation Of the library. he made III
his mind to get inside the room at all haz
ards, and secure the important piece Of pa
per which would establish bis legitimacy
AS he was going home from the Hall on
evening, he was accosted just outside tn
gates by two evil looking men, one of whom