The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-18
THE RIGHT COURSE.


"Yours always-Marton."
The photograph on which the words
were written stood upon the mantelsheh
of a luxurious room in Plccadilly.
The young man who read the inscFfp-
ton aloud was described in Debfett as Sin
Anthony Elliot, Bart, grandson of the late
Sir Robert Elliot, and fifth barenet of his
game.
Marion was Lady Marion Allardyce
the daughter and sister of an earl, So
eiety beauty, and one of the richest heir
esses in England. They were to be mar
ried in the spring, and he was on the point
of starting in order to join the party at
her country home.
A servant tapped at the door and en-
tered.
"If you please, Sir Anthony, gentle
man of the name of Crosse wants to see
you
Crosse? don't know the name. What
is his business? Did he say?''
''Says he's come all the way from New
Zealand on purpose to speak to you.'
He was shown in.
''Sir Anthony Elliot, I presumed he
queried
YES" said Tony. "Will you take a
chair? I am rather pressed for time.''
1.-The business will not take me long to
explain" he said "In fact, it can be told
in two sentences. am here to inform you
you bear than have. Your father was a
carpenter, and he sold you to Mrs Elliot
for IS note.'
There was a moment of silence. Tony's
cigarette went out. He threw it into the
CRATE
he said slowly. "Will you kindly explain
yourself?'
''With pleasure replied Crosse. "Your
reputed father died year after he married,
quarreled with his father and became a
sheep farmer in New Zealand. 1 was his
next neighbor and knew all about him.
Three weeks later his only child died too.
''Then Mrs. Elliot adopted working
mans baby and left the place I didn't
understand her motive at the time. I
comprehended when 1 learned that the
late Mrs. Elliot had hated her brother-in-
law because she believed he had set the old
baronet against her husband and herself. 4"
Crosse handed him two papers. "You
can have 100 more proofs, if you like to go
out to Queensland, - he added briefly.
'And your object in travelling thou
sands of miles on a matter which does not
concern you? presume you have a mo-
tive?''
Certainly said Crosse calmly. 81
am poor man and no longer young. I
want comfort and security for my old age.
Give me So, 500 year for life, and you can
enjoy your fortune in peace and marry
your fine lady. I'll hold my tongue
Great beads of perSpiration stood on
Tony's brow. His head swan. Then the
carpenters son pulled himself together,
threw his head up and peremptori1y or
dered Crosse out of his rooms. But when
he was alone a cry of passion and despair
rose from the bottom of his SOUL
He wrote to Marion that important bust
L. E. e.
days and cabled to globe trotting friend.
The answer to his message came and
that afternoon, at dusk, she greeted him
in the great hall of the old country man.
sion.
''We shall have an hour or two alone.
But how white you are, TonyP' she added
quickly. "There is something wrong.
What is it?''
'You shall know directly, Marion. -
He took her left hand in both his own and
looked at the flashing hoop of diamonds
he had placed there. II have something
to tell you-something that will change
the current of our lives. But before I tell
you / should like to be with you just for
half an hour, to enjoy, for one brief half
sound of your voice. My sweetheart,
want to live for a little while before the
darkness falls. May I?''
II don't know what it all means, but
of course am ready to do whatever you
WISH Tony" There was pause present
ly, and she touched his sleeve.
ebony, your luggage. Didn't you
bring any?''
NO. he said slowly. 81 am not going
to stay You viii understand when the
clock strikes -
"Will it mover strike, Tonyf" The clock
answered the question for itself.
Lady Marion Allardycs," he said, 81
give you back your freedom. Recently
learned that have no right to the name
I bear. Today the news was verified by
cable It is sufficient for you to know
that my father was carpenter in colo
| NAL village, and that my name Is not Sil
| Anthony Elliot at all, but just Anthony
| Brown
us that ALP she cried. SIS that all
You frightened me to death. I could no
imagine what terrible thing had hap
| pened.'
you don't seem to understand" h
said. I'm a pauper, nobody, "A
| I'm Anthony BrownP'
well, are you any the less a gentleman
| by instinct and education? Are you an.
| the less the man I 1ove-the man of al
| others whom have chosen to love, homo
| and obey till die? Would you refuse tC
marry me if my history were similar t.
| yours? OF course you Wouldn't Oh
| Tony she added, breaking out int
| smiles, you - you lii iotP' - Londol
| News.