The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-07
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"a n nS50eSSA
NQ(l(0lNtS
70 R5yoAAN J: Mzs9A Essgs
iooPYRloHr BY AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION, ,ss4
tcoNTISUED.l
CHAPTER XVII.
THE SECRET or TUp DIARY

been assiduous in her interest, aasum-
ing the manner and privileges Of the
guardian more than those of the physi-
clan, and his care and love soothed her
anguished heart.
Mangan had strange presentiment
that the diary Mortimer had referred
to contained some illusions that would
give the motive OF Raymond and afford
clew to lead to his humiliation and
dethronement, even if it no further
elucidated the mystery of the Lelands.
There might in that diary be some rec
ord that could be used as club over
Raymond to compel him to do justice.
What was meant by Phil about this
diary? His words sounded so queer. -"
This quest ON was asked by Inez dur
ing the course of conversation ono even
ing as the train sped eastward.
He thought 1t might bo of some use
to Mangan in his newspaper work, l
suppose, said DIR. LELAND.
Il can soon tell when | see it." re-
marked Mangan.
IneZ gave the keys of tho house which
she and her brother had occupied to
DR.. Leland. They reached the city aft
or nightfall, and SO eager We're DIR. Le-
land and Mangan to see tho diary that
they excused themselves shortly after
arriving at the hotel and started for
the Mortimers' old home, Inez never
suspecting the object OF their nocturnal
walk.
They were soon in the library, and
from drawer filled with odds and ends
Of various sorts, municipal reports prin-
cipally, they delved the old diary out
of tho place where it had lain for years.
1t was frayed and worn looking with
knocking about by continual rummag-
ing for papers. Mortimer had evidently
not priced the volume, had not even
deemed the gift Of his old preceptor
worthy of examination, and had cast it
aside as the repository of crank's out
pourings. But Mangan handled the
book reverently, united the ribbon that
sealed its pages, most likely as its
original owner had left it, and opened
it, the pages parting where the last
memoranda had been written.
Their eyes scanned the page, Man9an
holding up the book under tho chande-
lier. There was nothing there concern
ing their quest. They turned over the
leaves to reach the Introductory pages
until the name Leland in each third or
fourth line, IN zigzag fashion, attracted
their attention. Under date of Feb 10,
1874, the memorandum was written
The introduction indicated that the
writer was confined to his home when
engaged in writing in the diary. The
Leland record read;
FEE. 10. ls1t-The telegraph toda announces
the murder OF George Leland, tho queerpst
client ever had. Ills wife had died when he
Ca.ne 10 me and asked mo 10 take charge Of
his property little over yenr ago Leland
had invested In lands outside the city limits
which ho believed will be yet part OF tho city
proper Leland said he had an infant daugh-
ter isabel in The Convent of Mercy, This city,
and Tint he proposed goingwc4t with his little
hoy George. He was a bold investor. and IL
seemed 10 me Leland was as snnguine as ho
was radical. His will leaves all his property
hero 10 his daughter, and all western invest
ments, of which he was to send me Il record,
10 his son. lIo said that when his daughter
came OF ago this would bn ~ sho would cyer
require. He was of the Ielands of Liverpool,
and his wfe's maiden name was Alden.
must send down 10 Raymond to get the papers
in shape.
"What do you think Of it," asked
Mangan.
!" 1t is all the evidence required. But
how do you account for the failure to
carry out my fathers wishes?''
Raymond was about 22 years old
then, said Mangan. "Ho transacted
business under this old mans direction.
He saw that his patron was nearing his
a,tl nd I,l,1 ~ Ia IL
knows of you, you may rest assured.
He also knows who your sister is. He
has kept track Of you both, and he had
this delinquent tax law pissed to get
control of your sister property as well
as tho property of others, no doubt. "
What do you suggest"
Tomorrow we will visit the office of
the registrar of arrears, SEQ what taxes
are due and prepare to redeem it from
Raymond. Take my word, with the
knowledge we possess, he will sign it
over and not even ask tho bonus and
interest he is entitled to by law. The
will he mas destroyed, no doubt, and
much trouble can be avoided by taking
possession under the delinquent tax law,
without entering the surrogate's court.
Get a quit claim from Raymond. But,
after all, he may fight"
When they returned, they said moth
Ing to Inez about their mission. They
talked of the prospects that sprang up
before all. 1t was taken as a matter Of
course that lnez-alone and dependent
would consent to an early marriage,
but when they talked of Mangan's love
6 IT, IL L.. Il, l.. IL. i
imply that 1t was unrequitcd.
Now, have an idea," suggested
Tnez. Il will pay visit. to Ise.el to-
morrow afternoon and find out all about
it. But maybe you are going up ear
lierf"
mo, said DR.. Leland, "there are a
few matters TO be settled first. You go
up in the afternoon, tell her of her
brother and don't forget to say 1t was
Mangan TO whom credit Is due Tor tho
reunion.
Never mind that, . said Mangan.
bat will mind it, " said Inez
And so they chatted until the hour
came for parting.
Next day, early in the afternoon,
Dr. Leland and Mangan went to the
pffice of the registrar OF arrears. When
they entered, Registrar Black and his
clerks looked at Mangan in surprise.
The registrar said:
"dracIous, Mr.. Mangan, is that your"
"0f course it is !. You didn't think
It was my astral body, did your"
No, but thought il was your
ghost -
My ghost?"
YES. Didn't you read the account
Of your suieide:"
My suicide?" .."