The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-09-27
CHAPTER XVI.
TO MAKE TWO WOMEN HAPPY.


rs EIGHTEEN years had not great
FL ly altered the appearance of
Hzs@sSf Daniel Maxwell. He was still
xJ the same square jawed, iron
visaged man with whom Philip Bar
rington had discussed his affairs that
time long ago when he had stolen his
baby girl away from its mother and
disappeared as utterly as if the earth
had opened and engulfed him, and the
disappearance had been utter and en-
tire, even to him, for he had been no
better informed regarding the real To-
cation of his client than had the
mourning wife SO cruelty deserted.
Such correspondence as they had had
was carried on through the medium of
q banker I'm San Francisco. and the
New York lawyer had never made the
slightest effort to learn more concern
ing his former friend than that friend
chose TO tell him. Knowing nothing,
he could impart no information. Be
ing himself uniformed, he could truth
fully say Il don't know" TO all in
quiries. He had never given the acts
of Philip Darlington his personal APP
proval, but he had nevertheless obeyed
instructions without deviation. Per-
sonal liberty of action was the maxim
Of his daily life, and he adhered TO it
as closely in regard to others as he did
in the regulation of his own affairs.
Nothing had ever moved him from the
straight course Of duty as he recognized
II. He was a philosopher and a stole,
and IL was his practice to impart all
kinds of information which he had to
give in the same even tone in which
he would have said. 1T is raining
He rarely smiled. and he never frown-
ed Surprise never altered line in his
face nor changed the infection of his
voice. With him no meant no and
yes meant yes. and nothing could quail
fly either expression after he had once
uttered it; SO that when a card which
bore the name of Lisle Maxwell en-
graved upon it and with Crag's name
penciled beneath 1t was given 90 him
early in the evening following the in
terview between Lisle and Craig he
put it aside and said calmly:
admit them"
They entered the same room into
which Lisle's father had borne her the
night before he went away, self con-
demned outcast and the quick mind of
the lawyer already grasped the fact
that it was the child who had returned,
doubtless to acquaint him with the in
formation of Richard MaXwell's phil
ip Barrington'sl death. but he made no
sign when the young lady. accompa-
MED by the tall stranger entered the
room, only saying with his aggravat-
ing calm:
"Be seated. What can do for you?"
Isle did not reply. She stepped for
ward and without word of eXplana-
ton gave the letter which her father
had addressed to Craig into the law
yer's hands He read it through TO the
end raised his eyes and asked:
"Have you other proofs Of your ia
theirs death"
1t was Cralg's turn to act, and he
stepped forward and laid the death GER
tificate upon the table.
"H'mw said the lawyer. examining
It. "He has been dead something over
two months. Now, young lady, If you
will wait few moments until | read a
letter which your father left with me
to be read by me after his death l will
know how | am to talk to you"
He was exasperatingly slow in open
ing the great safe that was in one cor
ner of the room, in the elaboration
with which he took therefrom a bundle
of papers, and at last separated one
from the others. 1t was an envelope,
sealed with wax, but he broke 1t open
and, still crouching before the safe,
read 1t to the end.
every good" he said at last, rising
and resuming his chair. Your fathers
letter places me entirely at my ease. l
am told that, unless you otherwise de-
termine, am to act as your counsel in
all things and that am to exercise my
own judgment in replying to any ques-
ton upon which you may desire to be
informed. Your fathers will appoints
me your guardian until you are Of age.
In addition to that, am your attorney.