The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-06-27
CHAPTER IX.-CoNTIyUEp.


BY t. W. sPEIGHT.
CHAPTER IX.-CoNTINUEp.
At the sound of Levland's voice, Fro
bisher. who was standing little apart
talking to Dyson, turned. His face,
too, changed for moment. 1.-The
crisis has come sooner than expect
3d." he muttered to himself. IN I'm
porte. Better now than later on, per-
haps." He went forward with pleas
/ ant smile and held out his hand.
-.Don't forget that there are two old
friends here, he said tc Leyiand.
"Forget! not likely. But had some
good news for Dick which L was in a
hurry to tell him. And now, my dear
Frank, how are YOU? Better-better.
can see that before you answer me. Not
like the same man. | suppose L must
congratulate you on your good fortune. y
He paused for moment, holding the
Others hand in his and gazing little
sadly into his face. '.Ah, Frobisher. /
don't know whether to feel glad or sor-
nv that you have come into all this
money" he said. Many fine spirit
has been spoiled by coming into a
fortune" ..
Every one present heard Leyland' s
words. They all stared. as well they
might. Was this stranger in the shah
by tweed suit drunk or crazy? OF a
surety he must be either one or the
other. ..
Mr.. Pebworth's pendulous cheeks
turned the color of saffron. Striking
forward step or two. he touched Frob-
Usher lightly on the arm. MAY / ask
who this person is, Mr.. Drummond?'
he said in hoarse whisper. He
seems to be confounding your identity
with that of my nephew most strange
1y."
This gentleman is Mr.. Leyland, a
very dear friend of mine; and am not
aware that he is confounding any
thing"
But he called you Frank Frobisher. ="
He called me by my proper name. "
"But-but YOU are not
Indeed, but / am. Mr.. Pebworth. |
am Frank Frobisher, and your unworthy
nephew"
An exclamation of surprise or dismay
burst from the lips of all present except
Leyland and Dick
For a moment ortwo Pebworth stared
blankly into the stern young face before
-aim. Then. as with lightning fash.
the truth burst upon him. Great
Heaven: tricked! ruined. irretrievably
ruined he exclaimed. gasping out the
.SvllabsS As if they would choke him.
With one hand pressed to his forehead,
he staggered rather than walked to a
fallen tree. and there sat down. His
wife and daughter were by his side in a
moment, but he waved them impatient
ly. even fiercely away, and sat staring
with blank eyes at vacancy. Presently
he took a bundle of papers from his
pocket, antied with trembling fingers
the red tape that bound them, and be-
gan to turn them over in an aimless.
injurious sort OF way. Now and then
he repeated under his breath the words:
-'Tricked! ruined.' 1t was pitiable
sight. >
MIR. Frobisher changed into Mr..
Drummond!' exclaimed Dempsey.
Mr.. Drummond changed into Mr..
Frob!sher" echoed Dyson.
MY Dick changed into nv cousin
Frank murmured Elma, who was as
much bewildered as any one.
Gracious goodness! who could have
believed such a thing?" said Dyson and
Dempsey, in a helpless sort of way
The situation was so novel, so totally
unlocked for, that they were evidently
at a loss what to say or do next. Clunie
said nothing, but looked with all her
ewes at the little Captain. Might not
this new and surprising turn of affairs
jeopardize to some extent her newly
fedged matrimonial projects?
Drummond drew Leyland aside. and
explained TO him the state of affairs.
80 you are really my nephew Frank
after all?r said Mrs Pebworth through
her tears TO Frobisher i felt sure
from the first that none of our family
had any right to have red hair
'.Yes; l am your nephew Frank.
There's no mistake on that point this
time. aunt
well. always did like You, as I've
said many n time, when others were
may be running you down"
..Yes; We always did like YOU" said
*Clunie. tapping him playfully with the
po nj of her sunshade.n
Always. > echoed Dempsey and Dy-
son, who had moved closer up.
Il don't know that 1 can like You
bit better than l did before" continued
Mrs. Pebworth. '.And as for Your
friend-what nice young man he is
I'm sure I sha'n't like him bit less
than did half an hour since, because
he happens to be poor and no connec-
tion of the family"
Mamma, deari' said Clunie implor-
ingly, with ting at her mother sleeve.
'.Aunt, you have one of the kindest
hearts in the world" said Frank, and
with that he stopped and kissed her.
Dempsey and Dyson looked straight
over each others shoulder, and seemed
TO be gazing into futurity.
Clunie turned to Frank with what she
would have called one of her "arch''
chances. "You naughty. naughty man,
20 play us all such q trick! But was
never really deceived" Il
':No; we were never really deceived"
Skimed in the Chorus.