Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-06-17

more CnecfIuI. NO uOuDt your Cnuuge VI
prospects is a little overwhelming; but,
believe me, you have no cause to shrink
from the sunny path stretching out before
you"
At that moment Uncle John, followed
by Caroline and Dick, came in.
CHAPTER XII.
Directly the meal was over Mr.. Charl
ford rose briskly, and, turning to his
younger daughter, said, with smile:
"Now. Nab! Dick, you are to come,
too. believe!'-and he led the way to the
library, which was empty. "NOw then,
what is 1t, my dear? Sit down In that
comfortable chair, and tell me as briefly
as you can, for perceive that It is some.
thing which annoys or pains yOu."
With a sinking heart Nab began to
speak, but Dick stopped her.
"Let me explain, Nab; you can listen.
Father, the fact of the matter Is this-and
circumstances compelled us to own the
truth to Uncle John-a night or two after
you started for Frankfort, Nab went
down to the boat house to bring In boz
Of flies belonging to my uncle. 1t was late
past ten O'clOck---and when Mabel heard
voices In the boat house she was alarmed,
and crOuched out Of sight. Oh, father,
need l 60 ONT She saw you there with q
man who spoke to you, calling you by an
other name, addressing you as 'Filton.'
Why was 1t, father? For you were in dis.
guise; and you crept away as II fearing
lest any one should see you. Is there any
disgrace connected with our family2 That
IL what Mabel wishes to know; for, II 10,
she would die rather than marry Neville
Wynmore, much as she loves him. That
10 what We want you to explain, father.
Perhaps what happened took place long
ago, and you had nothing to do with It.
Let us help y0u-trust to US, tell US the
truth, and, II 1t IL anything which had
better not come before the world, you shall
see we can be silent. But don't hide II
from Us, for Mabel cannot allow her en-
gagement to be announced until she 10
assured that she may accept Neville Wyn.
more's hand without fear. We have not
spoken Of this to Caroline. 80 you see you
may have confidence In 10, father"
| Mr.. Charlford had been silent all this
| time, regarding Dick as II with the utmost
amaxement; now he exclaimed, In a tone
Of dazed wonder:
my dear children, forgive my bewilder.
ment! Really II Is excusable in the cir.
cumstances! What have you two been
running your heads against? I was near
Frankfort at the time you name; juov
no stranger who would dare to speak "a
me In the way you mention, nor have !
any reason for acting In the extrao ordinary
fashion you describe. The likeness to nv.
self which struck you In this stranger ex.
lists either In your own Imagination,
| hai0ht ouod M II una hv fonr Oe xh~.c 4.
another possible explanation Of II. These
men were probably bent on no good object
They were providing about your uncle'i
premises-that ID pretty clear. Well, they
wished to do 80 with security, and one Of
them personated me. They may have
been lurking about to steal the young
pheasants or the poultry, and they hoped
doubtless to walk about unqucstioned By
the gamekeepers through one Of them be
Ing got up to look like myself. That 10 thu
only explanation Of the affair that I car
give you-and am a. anxious to obtain
one a. you yourselves can be. But even
you admit that this man was addressed BY
the other % 'Filton,' or some such name
that shows that bis companion used the
fellows real name, not dreaming that any
one was within hearing"
but, father" cried Mabel, breaking si.
lence. II heard you speak: Could I mis-
take your voice? And, besides, over.
heard that other man address you %
'Charlford' also. And then you asked II
he was not mad to use that name, and he
laughed--laughed horribly! Then you
came out of the boat house and slunl,
away"
'Father, you have not heard alp said
Dick, coming forward. "Mabcl found 4
box, which on opening was found TO be
full Of letters-apparentl In your hand.
writing-written years and years ago, ali
signed Elton all written from abroad
and allusiou to US, each by name, Is made
In one Of them. The dates of our birth,
the date Of my mothers marriage. and
her Christian names are written In detail
with q line underneath to the effect that
there must be no mistake What does
II meany"
you make me gasp for breath, Dick!
said Mr.. CharlfOrd, as II overcome By
amaxement. "May I see the letters?
assure you I know nothing about them
The man Elton does. no doubt: but theu
he and are two widely different persons
However, perhaps you will favor me with
q sight OF the documents"
Certainly, father! wish you to exam
Inc them" returned Dick gravely.
II feel confident the resemblance to my
handwriting has no more foundation thar
my identity with the man Filton," said
1 NJ tNO Ill VnO d thH,