The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-01


really her brother2''
He is. .M..
Then If you can prove that why
cannot you prove whether Isabel has a
right to this estate or not?''
Il can only prove that there was a
George Leland, that Laurence is his
son and Isabel his daughter. The fam
lily tradition will do that, but of Mr..
Leland's investments there are no
proofs. The lawyer who searched the
titles and arranged the purchase is dead.
lie was my patron, and have fruitlessly
examined his papers for any clew. -
But how did you trace lsabel's re-
lationship?'
Raymond was not dealing with a
simple girl now. He was talking with
a woman of a judicial temperament
who wanted to know the why and
wherefore of everything.
Didn't Isabel tell you2" he asked,
parrying her interrogatories to get time
to plan his story.
She said something about an uncle
in Worcester pressing him. But if the
uncle knew Of Isabel why did he never
write to herr Why did he never send
her some memento of her mother2 !
cannot believe there are hearts in the
world so cruel "
II told Isabel that discovered her
name short time ago by memoran-
dunn of the old lawyer. 1t said: lisa
bel be Clair in Convent of Mercy and
Laurence Mangan, supposed son Of
james Mangan of Worcester, Mass, son
and daughter of George Leland. See
case 3, shelf 2t. Evidently on that shelf
and in that case was something that
would throw light on all this. The ex-
ecutor, however, who was brother of
tho deceased, took those papers. He
has himself died since. and in the few
weeks have been looking into tho mat
ter ! have been no further enlightened.
On the other hand, the case was being
pressed against Laurence, and my inter
est in Isabel caused me to display more
activity than usual in Laurence's be-
half. Have l not satisfactorily ex-
plained"
How do you account for the ailtip-
athy Laurence entertains toward yous"
g 1t is hard "
II think he is too candid, too honest,
to persist in his enmity if frank state
ment We're made to him."
But where is he now?"
II cannot say"
II know he has been pushed during
the past few days and is likely to be
arrested. He is so high minded and
sensitive that he might resort to means
W. would deplore. He strikes mo as
one who would prefer death to dishon-
or"
He would never shun danger by
oourting dIscrcdit. -
Il hope You are right, mother, but
his absence and his silence are signifi-
cant. !"
just then Isabel peered in from the
corridor. She wanted to see Mother st.
Gertrude and had been directed to the
reception room. Raymond had seen her,
and she could not withdraw befarc the
mother superior said:
Come in, Isabel.
She obeyed. Her face told of the
nights OF worry she had passed through.
The change did not escape Raymond.
He attributed it to the secret that she
was hiding from Mangan and that she
bad impaired to Mother st. Gertrude.
You are looking i'll, +" he said TO her.
am not feeling we'll, was her
only reply,
hope, he continued, THAT you
are not fretting over things that will
ultimately lead to happiness, though
little perplexing now. .
:" wish it would end quickly. Why
cannot you tell Laurence now?'
Il would like 10 please you, y he an
swercd, but cannot find him. He
was prosecuted by the people of whom
l spoke and has probably gone away to
some other city. | will take steps to
find him. In fact, that b what brought
me here today. +"
"Oh, how good of you!' exclaimed
Isabel, and the sparkle of her eyes spoke
her appreciation.
There ale n few matters that m--rstt
be attended to inside, " said Mother st.
Gertrude. II will be away but few
moments Meanwhile try TO devise
some scheme to reach Laurence. "
What would you suggest" queried
Raymond.
We must trust to you, But I'll go
over tho matter when l return. =
What is your opinion:" Raymond
asked OF Isabel when the nun had gone.
. 1t is as Mother St. Gertrude says.
Wemust trust to you.
= | have an idea, he said 1t must
not be mentioned to the sister unless it
is acceptable 10 you.
What is it,"
Laurence will never settle down.
He will fly from place to place until the
prosecution ceases. You know that |
love you. | know that in time my de-
votion will awaken reciprocal feelings
in you. Let your love for Laurence
guide you. | have discovered property
both of yon may claim. | have taken
steps to hold it for you, as Mother st.
Gertrude will explain. Surely there is
in all this something that must give
you an assurance that nothing can do
will be left undone to make you and
him happy. | have told you how and
why his character can be vindicated,
reconciliation effected, and your lives,
with mine, enter a vista more propi-
tious, prosperous and peaceful.
Mr.. Raymond, must say that have
thought this matter over; that cannot
give you the love wife should have
for her husband, and that, while l
might set aside my personal wishes to
further my brothers welfare, have no
right to be burden upon you. y
1T is no burden. Ii you never
change toward me- there will be solace
in your friendship that will atone for
all. !"
tYou have that already. !"
But the companionship have not.
cannot proceed until you are my wife.
The very mention of this in the press,
bringing You and the convent into pub-