Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-07-13

Off,
CHAPTER X.
My father stood motionless for q mo-
ment. Then slowly he sank into chair.
II am ruined and disgraced man." he
said, without looking up: III You have
broken of your marriage with Julia, I
shall never raise my head again."
But why?" I asked unensily.
Come down into my consulting ROOM"
he said. went on before him, carrying
the lamp. and turning round once or
twice saw his face look grey, and the
expression Of II vacant and troubled. His
consulting room was a luxurious room,
elegantly furnished. He sank down into
IN easy chair, shivering as II we were In
the depth Of winter.
MARTIN, I am a ruined man. he said,
for the second time.
But howT' I asked again. patiently.
II dare not tell you," he cried. leaning
his head upon his desk and sobbing. How
white his hair was! and how aged he
looked! My heart softened and warmed to
him as 1t had not done for years.
Father I said, 'if you can trust
any one, you can trust me. II you are
ruined and disgraced shall be the same.
nv your son."
That's true" he answered, "that's
true! 1t will bring disgrace on you and
your mother. We shall he forced to leave
Guernsey, where she has lived all her
life; and II will be the death Of her.
Martin, you must save us oil by making
It up with Julia"
But why?" demanded, once more.
II must know what you mean"
"leanf" he said, turning upon me an.
grily, you blockhead! I mean that I'M
less you marry Julia shall have to give
an account Of her property; and could
not make all square. not II sold every
stick and stone possess"
sat silent for time, trying to take
In this piece Of information. He had
been Julia's guardian ever since she was
left an orphan. ten years old; but had
never known that there had not been
formal and legal settlement Of her affairs
when she was Of age. Our family name
had no blot upon It; It was one Of the
most honored names In the island. But
II this came to light. then the disgrace
would be dark indeed.
"Can you tell me all about it?" I asked.
ut would take long time" he said,
land It would be a deuce Of a nuisance.
You make 1t up with Julia. and marry
her. as you're bound to do. or course
you will manage all her money when you
are her husband, A. you will be. Now
you know all"
But l don't know ALL" replied; "and
insist upon doing SO before make up
my mind what to do"
For two hours I was busy with his &c.
counts. Once or twice he tried to stink
out Of the room; but that I would not
suffer. At length the ornamental clock
on his chimney piece struck eleven, and
he made another effort to beat retreat.
do not 70 away till everything 10
clear" l said; "is this all?"
"All?" he repeated; isn't It enough7"
Between three and four thousand
pounds deficient" I answered; at Is quite
enough"
Enough to make me felon." he said,
III Julia chooses to prosecute me-"
II think 1t Is highly probable" l re-
piled; though l know nothing Of the
law"
"Then you see clearly, Martin, there 10
no alternative but for you to marry her,
and keep our secret. have reckoned
upon this for years, and your mother and
! have been Of one mind In bringing II
about. II you marry Julia, her affairs 60
direct from my hands to yours, and we
are all safe. II you break with her she
will leave us, and demand an account Of
my guardianship; aud your name and
mine will be branded In our own island"
THAT IL very clear" l said sullenly.
"Your mother would not survive IL"
he continued, with a solemn accent.
"Oh! ! have been threatened with that
already" exclaimed. very bitterly.
"Pray does my mother know Of this dis
graceful business?"
Heaven forbidw he cried. "Your
mother Is good woman, Martin; a. sim.
pie az dove. You ought to think Of her
before you consign us all to shame. Poor
Mary! My poor, poor love! believe
she cares enough for me still to break
her heart over It,"
"Then ! am to be your scapegoat."
said.
"You are my son." he answered; "and
religion itself teaches us that the sins Of
the fathers are visited on the children.
! leave the matter In your hands. But
only answer one question: Could you
show your face amongst your own friends
II this were knOwnT
knew very well could not My faith.
| err fraudulent steward of Julia's prop
erty! Then farewell for ever to oil ,nat
had made my life happy. ! saw there
was no escape from It'll must marry
Julia.
"Well," said at last, "as you say, the
matter Is In my hands now; and l must
| make the best of 1t. Good night, SIR"
Ito be continued.I