Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-04-08
CHAPTER XVII.
he SECRET OF THE DIARY

THE SECRET OF THE DIARY.
Laurence Mangan supervised the ar
rangements for the temporary entom D.
ment OF the body OF Philip Mrrtimer,
which was placed In a receiving vault
in Denver until such time as prepare
tious would be completed for its trans
fer.
Some days later DR.. Leland, Mangan
and Iuez left Denver. DR.. Leland had
been very attentive 10 Inez. He had
been asslduous in her interest, assum-
ing the manner and privileges OF the
guardian more than those OF the physi-
clan, aud 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 10 lead 70 his humiliation and de-
thronement, even il it no further eluci-
dated the mystery Of the Leands.
There might 10 that diary be some rec
ord that could be used as club over
Raymond to compel him to do justice.
"Wnat was meant by Phil about this
diary? His words sounded so queer"
This question was asked by Inez dur
ing the course Of conversation one even
ing as the train sped eastward.
"He thought IL might be OF some use
20 Mangan in his newspaper work, l
suppose" said Dr. Leland.
81 can soon tell when l see IT," re-
marked Mangan.
Inez gave the keys OF the house which
she and her brother had occupied to
DR.. Leland. They reached the city
after nightfall, and so eager were Dr..
Leland and Mangan % see the 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 a drawer filled with odds and ends
OF various sorts, municipal reports
principally, they delved the old diary
out OF the place where it had lain for
years. Ii was frayed and worn looking
with knocking about by continual rum
msging for papers. Mortimer had evil
IDENTIFY not priced the volume, had not
even deemed the gift OF bis old precep-
tor worthy Of examination, and had cast
il aside as the repository OF a crank's
outpourlngS But MangTn handled the
book reverently, united the ribbon that
sealed its pages, most likely as it's orig
inal owner had left it, and opened it, the
pages parting where the last memoranda
had been written.
Their eyes scanned the page, Man
gan holding up the book under the
chandelier. There was nothing there
concerning their quest. They turned
over the leaves TO reach the intrOduc-
tory pages until the name Leland In
each third or fourth line, in zigzag
fashion, attracted their attention.
Under date OF February 10, 1874, the
memorandum was written. The in
PRODUCTION indicated that the writer
was confined TO his home when en-
gagged in writing in the diary. The
Leland record read:
Feb. 10, 1S74.-The telegraph to-day
announces the murder OF George Le-
land, the QUeereSt client l ever had.
His wife had died when he came TO me
10 take charge OF his property little
over year ago. Leland had invested
in lands outside the city limits which be
believed will be vet part OF the city
prouer. Leland said he had an infant
daughter Isabel in the Convent OF
Mercy, this city, and that be proposed
going west with his little boy George.
he was a bold investor, aud il seemed
70 me Leland was as sanguine as he
was radical. His will leaves all his
property here 10 his daughter, and all
western investments, OF which he was
10 send me a record, to his son. He
said that when his daughter came Of
age this would be all she would
ever REQUIRE. He was OF the
Lelands OF Liverpool, and his Wife's
maiden name was Alden. I must send
down TO Raymond TO get the papers In
shape.
Mangan.
ssIt is all the evidence required. But
how do you account for the failure 10
carry out nv fathers wishes?"
..Raymond was about - years old
then. said Mangan- HE transacted
business under this Old mans direction,