Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-03-28
A DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
BY q. NJ. DAVY.
CHAPTER vEEI-Continued.


Mrs. Hargreave looked more careworn
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 I took them she pointed
to photograph lying on the top.
Il have just purchased that little es
tate, she said, and those deeds 1 give
into your keeping. George took quite
fancy to the place. The owner is 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: DIR. Gas
cOigne examined my heart again to-day.
The result is, L sent for a lawyer
and made my viii. Mr.. Dudley, I can nOt
die and leave George without a 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.
4 know what you are thinking about, ="
she went on, breathlessly, but there is
no impediment that 1 can see-nOt one.
George loves you, and 1 believe-With
Gods blessing-yOu viii make her happy
She IS not about 10 marry a 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 1 have
done is not for your sake-I tell you so
piainly-but for GeOrgle'S. All that l
have is only mine on trust. You Will IN
derstand this better some day, perhaps
VIII you let your mother-in-law live in
your hOuse-fOr the short time that re-
mains?" she asked, smiling family up at
me.
You ask me this-yOu-tO whom I
owe"
You owe me nothing, she said, stif1y;
and for the last time beg you not to
speak of indebtedness again. ask George
to Tx the day, and until the marriage it
would be as we'll for yOu to continue to
reside here. Afterward, your home is at
Langdale Grange, where a couple OF
rooms set aside for ne"
But just then my love came in singing
gayly;
pered, taking her hands and looking into
her beaming eyes.
This is Monday. What do you say to
Friday, Jack? Mother is so anxious to
be rid of mel"
could scarcely believe my happiness,
and said so.
But mind, it is to be kept a profound
secret. Not soul to know it until we
come out of church"
Thank heaven!" exclaimed, fervent
ly. mo bridesmaids, no"
No anything!" she laughed. Il have
stopped all chance of Edna talking about
our being 50 much together" she con.
tinued @She believes We are cousins.
told her so.
You-toId-her-so?" I asked, drop
ping her hands and stepping back pace
gazing in nmazement at her beauti-
full, glowing face. Her eyes sparkIed
with mischief as she replied:
Yes. 1t was intensely amusing-in
FOO Il 1,T rE I q rryEL 4
her you were a relation that day 1 APP
pointed the meeting in the fernery; but
when she had seen yea kissing me
thought I'd get over it in this way: Have
you q cOusin-a male cousin, Edna2 ]
asked. She said she had not. But il
you had and you liked him-just In 8
cOusinly way you llnoY-yOu'd not thinb
it wrong to let him kiss YOU? 1 asked
She acknowledged she would not. Well
then, I said there's no harm in Jack
Dudley kissing me, as you saw him dc
to-day. She understood and blusheC
scarlet"
But you did not tell her. You only LED
her to suppose" [ urged, and waited
with bated breath for her reply.
SLOW absurd you are to make so much
of such a trihe!" she exclaimed, with some
impatience. I told Edna you are my
cousin. If YOU think she doubts it. viii
swear you arel" With that she swept
across the room to the piano. and begar
singing with exquisite pathOs-an evening
hymnl
AS she proceeded, tears trickIed, IN.
checked, down Mrs. Hargreave's pale
cheeks, and I must own never had
heard George sing with deeper feeling
Nevertheless, it failed to affect me pleas
urably. I knew the performance wal
perfect in it's way, and yet felt though
I had detected discOrd somewhere.