Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-04-09
CHAPTER XVII.


When Eugene awolle the next day his
mind was full of the follies of the ono
which had passed before it. and in his
sober moments he soon came to the
knowledge of the fact that he had fool
ishly placed himself in an I'M
pleasant predicament from which it
would take a considerable sum of money
to eXtricate himself. The amount of
his debts was not a very large sum in
the eyes of many, but Eugene had noe
been possessed of wealth long enough
to consider the sum it would take to
settle with his creditors as an insight
ficant amount. He disliked very much
to accept the proffered assistance of Mr..
limerick, but he saw no alternative, as
he must have the money before the even
ing of the next day or risk arrest.
During the evening he met Mr.. Emer-
lex and, as they sat at one of the little
handicapped tables in a cafe near to
the Grand Opera House, he preached
the subject of has difficulties. His
listener seemed almost prepared for it,
for he asked in moment: How much
will it take to entirely wipe out your
debts?"
About five thousand francs'' an
swered Eugene.
THAT is but small sum. I will ad-
vance it to you in the morning and you
can tide over your trouble After
these words Mr.. limerick was quiet for
some moments. Eugene thanked him,
but otherwise made no reply. Having,
as it seemed, got his thoughts into
shape, limerick leaned over the table
and speaking in a low voice said: ''Eu-
gene, l have something to tell you
which may affect your future if not told
at once"
Indeed! what is it?'' inquired Eu-
gene. Nothing serious, 1 hope?"
Without any further reference to the
nature of his news, Mr.. limerick said:
Your mothers recent acquaintance
with me came about, as you know, in a
rather extraordinary manner"
Yes, so have understood" said Eu-
gene.
''As you must know sooner or later l
may as we'll relate the circums tances to
you at once" Whercupon he proceeded
to speak of the occurrence at the dock
yard gate in Brooklyn and the subse-
quent interview at his rooms in New
York When he got to the point
where his wife again recognized him he
said: Your mother made no mistake.
l am her husband and your father"
When Eugene heard these words he
dropped the wine glass he was raising
to his lips on to the table and eze
claimed: Then why did you change
your name?"
Il have already had to refuse your
mother an answer to that question and
for the present must decline to answer
you. When the proper time arrives
you shall learn my reasons" This was
all the satisfaction which Mr.. limerick
gave. Eugene was mystifed beyond
measure and hardly knew what to say
in reply, but he confronted himself with
observing: We'll, You may have good
reasons but it seems to me like unneces-
sary mystery between father and son."
In due time it will all be explained
to you, said his father Still Eugene
was full of grave suspicion He had
himself led such an open, honest life
that such unexplained and questionable
actions on the part of his father gave
him grave approximations that he was
not the man of integrity for which he
passed In the eyes Of the world He
made no further illusions, however.
until late in the evening when he and
Mr.. limerick were sitting in the rooms
of the latter. The conversation had
turned on Eugene's friends, the De-