Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-10-22
CHAPTER lfi.-(Cont inued.)


pears since our short correspondence, Mr..
voice." he added, with q slight smile.
lad then"
"Ail the more reason" Mark Rob-
con began, then broke Of sharply and was
silent, biting his lip under has heavy mus
tache.
Mr.. Francis turned bis calm, sightless
eyes upon him.
II know what you would say" he said
s-"that, In consideration Of your youth, OF
which, you must remember, we were ig.
,norant at the time, the letter which you
wrote to us should have received differ
eut answer. You are right. In any case
the answer should have been different. I
thought 10 at the time, and It was with
sincere regret that I transmitted to you
my clients decision"
The actors lips curled slightly, but he
said nothing.
'.Have you Mr.. Robson's letter there,
james," asked his father, as the young
man resumed his seat at the table.
Eyes, sir. This 10 II, believe, Mr.. Rob.
sonT
"That Ii IT,"
''You give us no Details" the old lawyer
observed.
II offered you details, sir" Mark re-
sponded coldly. ut was you who refused
10 receive any"
''In the then circumstance II was use
less to trouble you. Lord Elsdale was
quite determined to give the matter no
consideration" Mr.. Francis responded.
"Now the circumstances are greatly al.
tered, and the subject must be thoroughly
gone into and sifted; and I must request
yeu kindly to give me the fullest informa-
tion you can, Mr.. Robson. The child 10
still living, I presumeT'
YES" replied Mark, "but you forget
that ten years have elapsed since that
letter was written. The child"-with q
slow emphasis on the words which had
something Of tenderness In tits . wom-
an now. I presume"-the actors voice
was calmer now and very cold-"that
your client has altered his intentions r.
garding--"
The sentence remained unfinished.
Great ~ Marks self.command was, Il
was not sufficient to enable him to finish
what he wished to say.
"Yes," Mr.. Francis replied; Lord Els
dale has altered the decision which refus.
ed to acknowledge or befriend, In any sub
stantial way, bic brothers child-you 70.
turned the check he sent, % you win ~
member, doubtless. By Q very sad and
regrettable series Of events, he 10 obliged
to reconsider the matter, and he has plac.
ID Il In our hands, desiring ~ to use oil
expedition"
"May ! beg you. then. to put, a. briefly
- possible, whatever questions you re.
n0iro nna uarod ~
Certainly" Mr.. Francis replied rather
haushtily. ''Your letter. II I recollect
rightly, says simply that an actress In the
company to which you belonged had died
rather suddenly; that on her deathbed she
con6ded to you that the name By which
che was known was false or assumed
the Honorable Newell Hatton, son Of the
late and brother to the present Lord Els
dale?"
EYES," replied Mark.
"Mr. Hatton died In 1884," pursued the
and made no statement - to any mar
mentioned In every leading newspaper.
lady, calling herself bis widow In 1867,
for come provision for herself and childr'
""The Honorable Newell Hatton desert.
% bis young wife about eighteen months
after his marriage" Mark Robson an.
swsred with irrepressible bitterness, land
Just before the birth Of her child. His
wife. bis inferior % she was In position,
was Q proud woman; she preferred to
work--ay, and to work hard-for herself
and her child rather than to appeal to the
worthless husband and father who had
deserted them both"
"How had she lived since Mr.. Hatton
left herr Mr.. Francis asked.
"Purely and honorably," Mark Robson
answered somewhat huskily. "She had
been an actress before her marriage, and
she resumed her profession after her de-
sertion BY her husband. It was q hard
struggle" he continued, "for her health
was delicate, and the life 10 hard even for
a strong woman. She fell on the battle
Aeld," he finished, with q little break In
his voice. "she broke blood vessel one
night on the stage. and twenty.four hours
later she died."
"And since her mothers death the
child"
HAS been under my care" Mark said,
u promised her mother that her welfare
should be my care; and % far 40 have
been able, have kept my word"
"She IL at school, presumed" Mr.,
Francis next asked.
"She has left school and IL living with q
lady, a widow, near London"
"You have proofs of the marriage, Mr..
R0bsonY Mr.. Francis asked presently.
Eyes, ] have copy Of the marriage GER
tideatc."
"And Of the child's BIRTH"
mo. The mother died before she could
tell me where the birth had taken place.
There can be no doubt. however, that she
10 the child Of the marriage. May ask
you to tell me the object Of your adver-
tieement" he pursued. speaking very
coldly In the intensity Of his anxiety.
Certainly. Lord Elsdale 10 willing to
relieve you Of your charge, Mr.. Robson,
and to adopt this young lady as bis own
daughter, and ultimately to make her his
heiress."
His heiress" Mark Robson echoed,
staring at the old man In startled surprise.
His heiress! But his sons--what Of
themY"
"A shadow appeared on the old lawyers
Kindly face.
"He has no sons" he answered, srsve-
". He had two, and he lost them both.
One, the eldest, was killed some years
ago In n railway accident. killed. too. NJ