Dodge City times., 1890-10-24
A DARK SECRET.
The Story of a Tragic
Life Drama.
By z. NJ. DAvE.
c.1ArrER vuI-con.inu.a

and aged than ever, and sank back wea-
rily in the chair placed for her. She had
some papers in her hand and held them
out to me. As took them she pointed
to Q photograph lying on the top.
i have just purchased that little ss-
tate, she said, and those deeds give
into your keeping. George took quite q
fancy to the place. The owner 10 obliged
to live abroad. The house is furnished
servants engaged We move to Lang
dale Grange tomorrow. There is no
time to lose, she continued, feverishly;
and evidently with great effort: -Dr. Gas
coigne examined my heart again to-day.
The result is. I sent for lawyer
and made my will; Mr.. Dudley, can not
die and leave George without protector.
Will you refuse the request ] am about
to make to your"
Certainly not, if can help it.
I wish you to marry my stepdaughter
without delay"
Hooked at her, dumfounded.
Il know what you ate thinking about,
she went on, breathlessly, but there is
no impediment that can see-not one
George loves you, and believe-with
Gods blessing-you will make her happy
She is not about to marry poor man.
but one who is fairly we'll endowed with
this worlds goods. The estate have
bought is made over, by deed of gift. to
you-John Dudley. Don't thank me,
pray, DON'T" she cried. What have
done is not for your sake-I tell you SO
plainly-but for Georges. All that I
have is only mine on trust. You will un-
derstand this better some day, perhaps.
Will you let your mother-in-l live in
your house-for the short time that re-
mains?" she asked, smiling family up at
me.
You ask mo this-you-to whom I
You owe mo nothing" she said, stifiy;
-and for the last time beg you not to
speak of Indebtedness again. Ask George
to fix the day, and until the marriage it
would be as well for you to continue to
reside here. Afterward, your home is at
Langdsle Grange. where . couple of
rooms set aside for me-
But just then my love came in singing
when will you marry mep" whis-
pered, taking her hands and looking into
her beaming eyes.
This il Monday. What do you say to
Friday, Jack? Mother il 90 anxious to
be rid of mel" =
II ie.G,a ::;s Sc scarcely believe nznappines',
But mind. it is to be kepA profound
secret; ont Not :, osnssa soul to fnoy until we
Thank heaven!" I exclaimed, fervent-
". mo bridesmaids, no"
No anythingi" she laughed. Il have
stopped all chance Of Edna talking about
our being SO much together" she con-
tinued. 3She believes we ae cousins. 1
told her so.'
-You-told-her-s asked, drop
ping her hands and stepping back pace,
gazing in amazement at her beauti-
full, glowing face. Her eyes sparkled
with mischief as she replied:
Yes. 1t was intensely amusing-in
fact, q glorious bit of fun. I first told
her you were Q relation that day I ap-
pointed the meeting in the fernery; but
when she had seen you kissing me 1
thought I'd get over it in this way: Have
you . cousin-a male cousin, Edna?'
asked. She said she had not. But if
you had and you liked him-just in Q
cousinly way, you know-you'd not think
it wrong to let him kiss you?' asked.
She acknowledged she would not, Well,
then, I said, there's no harm}fn Jack
Dudley kissing me. as you sawlAim do
to-day. She understood and acshed
scarlet"
But you did not tell her. You only led
her to suppose" urged. and waited
With bated breath for her reply.
aHow absurd you are to make SO much
Of such trifie!" she exclaimed, with some
impatience. Il told Edna you are my
cousin. If you think she doubts it, will
swear you sre!" With that she swept
across the room to the piano, and began
singing with exquisite pathos-an evening
hymn!
As she proceeded, tears trickled, un-
checked, down Mrs. Hargreave's pale
cheeks, and I must own never had I
heard George sing with deeper feeling.
Nevertheless, it failed to affect me pleas
urably. knew the performance was
perfect in its way, and yet felt as though
had detected discord somewhere.