The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-16

All, here you are, Mr.. Clitheroe," Nor
son said, as he alighted. II am not long
atteT you, you see. gave you an hour and
nan S start, and | suppose you have not
oeen mere here very long. l have done it
In an hour and forty minutes"
we nave only been in a quarter of an
hour," Philip said. as he knocked the ashes
out of his pipe. and led the way into the
motel, and up to the private sitting-room
where the ladies were awaiting them.
morsons manner had changed. He had
Thought the matter over and made I'D his
mind that the game he had PLAYED for was
lost be did not in the slightest degree be-
ileve Philips assertion that he was not the
author OF the letter be received.
of course it came from him." he said TO
himself; who else could have sent it. No
doubt he meant it when he wrote it, but
when he found the girl had got on nv
track-though how she did so is more than
can say-hs saw at once that it was the
safest and best game to make UP to her, and
nicely he seems to have humbugged her.
But all that is right enough. We have both
played to win, and the trumps have fallen
into bis hands. 1t is hard when one reckoned
on ten thousand at least to get only one.
However, that Is better than nothing, aud
Will come in very handy. daresay | can
squeeze another five hundred out Of them"
Having thus made up mis- mind TO deal.
Morson was shrewd enough to know that
he was more likely TO make good bargain
by civillty than otherwise, and when be
presented himself before the ladies his man
ner was an admirable mixture of that of a
respectful college scout and of shrewd
householder
well, Mr.. Clitheroe and Miss Corbyn, l
have thought this business over and see that
1T is besttor me to meet your wishes as eau
am sorry now that spoke SO roughly when
you came TO my place; but you will under
stand that when man has a secret that he
mas looked upon for nearly twenty years Us
beng as good as big mint
OF money, it rifles him up more
than bit to find that it has Just
slipped him. But think it is worth more
than you offered me for it, There is no
other man living who can prove what | can
prove; there is no one else who ca set this
matter so straight that no one will be able
as much as to whisper that Miss Corbyn has
no right TO her name.n
II think you have n right 20 value your
testimony" Philip said, but there are
other ways of proving a marriage besides
the testimony Of one who was present at
it, :"
'Not in this case, Mr.. Clitheroe; not in
this case. You and Miss Corbyn would not
have taken this long journey if you could
have done without me. Nov, it won't suit
1AO w ~ away w 1zA5ASt1u lOL SlA UlOubtlS.
AS You saw, have got biggish business
here, and it is growing, but can do all you
want me TO do without that"
Philip shook his head.
1T is your personal testimony we want.
If you were to make an affidavit here we
should have no end of trouble over it. We
might have to send out q commission--in
fact. it might give us no end of bother"
~ am not going to make an affidavit,
81 III II
make you a fair offer, and what is more [
will leave it TO you and Mis-, Corbyn
whether or not you think what | shall do
will cover the ground. Ny offer is this:
You shall write out a promise to give ms
two thousand pounds, if ] thoroughly salts
fly you, and you shall both sign your names
to it.n
1.-TWO thousand pounds is very large
sum-" Philip said, gravely.
at is less than half years rental of the
estatas.h Morsoa replied II tell you, Miss
Corbyn. my information is well worth the
money to you"
Philip looked at Constance, who slightly
nodded her head
'Now, look here" Philip said, 1--WE will
sign the promise you speak of, if you on
your part will sign another agreeing to go
with Us to England and give the evidence
we require should we not be satisfied with
W
the matter here"
81 agree to that" Morsou said. without
hesitation. "Now, if you will give me pa per
and pen | will write out-the one agreement;
do Won write out the other"
Tho two papers were written out and
signed.
''Thers is one more thing, before we get
to business" Morson said. 81 dol't wont
any fuss over this affair. | don't say
whether have acted ssraightfor yard ali
along, or whether have not. l doa't say
whether things have come into my hands
by the gifts of others, or how they have
come in. don't want any questioning or
any bother, so before We come to the last
point will get you to give me your promise,
Mr.. Clitheroe, and yours, Miss Corbyn,
that the matter drops here, and that there
are no questions aked, and that bygones are
treated as bygones."
Philip signed to Constance TO come to the
window apart.
81 don't know what the fellow Is driving
at, Constance, but should think we might
agree to that. If be can SCI this matter
straight it is nothing to us what knavery he
may have been at"
81 quite agree with you, Philip"
1--WE agree TO your conditions" Philip
said, as they returned to the middle of the
room.
How do you propose to pay the money,
sirl know that you're a gentleman, but
there is nothing like having these things
settled straightforward beforehand"
II have no objection to that" Philip said
GAS the paper l showed you states, l am
authorized 10 draw for Thousand pounds
on Messrs. Ferris. will give you a bill for
that amount at three days sight. | will
give you another bill for the sams amount
payable three months after sight. Il may
go home quicker than we shall, I'd l shall
have to arrange that it shall D. me-"
THAT is quito fair, Mr.. Clitheroc, have
got bill stamps ia my pocket. l generally
pay for my horses IN that way. Now will
you write out those bills and sign them aud
hand them to this lady hero for her to hold
until you say you are satisfied that / have
carried out my part of the agreement.
Philip sat down without hesitation and
wrote the two bills, and then handed them
TO Madame Duport, who was working at
her knitting as usual, as If she were an en-
tIrely unInterssted spectator of tho scene.
ia there anything eisoT Philip asked,
dryly, for he had not the least belief that
any proposal the man might make could
prove an acceptab bic alternative to his going
in person to England.
There Is nothing more, Mr.. Clitheroe,
am quite satisfied with your promise aad
that Of Mss Corbyn, that bygones shall be
pygones."
In spite of his quiet manner Philip saw
that Morson's face had grown pale. and that
there was o nervous ring in his voice.
4