Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-07-16

SOm0 uOWQ INTO my consulting FUOIl,
he said. l went on before him, carrying
the lamp, and turning round once or
twice saw his face look grey, and the
expression of it vacant and troubled. His
consulting room was a luxurious room,
elegantly furnished. He sank down into
an easy chair, shiyering as if we Were in
the depth of winter.
Martin, / am a ruined manr' he said,
for the second time.
But how?' l asked again, impatiently.
81 dare not tell you," he cried, leaning
his head upon his desk and sobbing. How
white his hair was! and how aged he
looked! Ny heart softened and warmed to
him as it had not done for years.
Father / said, IF you can trust
any one, you can trust me. If you are
ruined and disgraced shall be the same,
as your son."
That's true" he answered, that's
true! 1t will bring disgrace on you and
your mother. We shall be forced to leave
Guernsey, where she has lived all her
life; and it will be the death of her.
Martin, you must save US all by making
it up with Julia"
'But why?" | demanded, once more.
81 must know what you mean"
'Mean? be said, turning upon me an
grily, you hlockhead! / mean that I'M
less you marry Julia l shall have TO give
| an account of her property; and / could
not make all square, not if l sold every
stick and stone possess"
| sat silent for a time, trying to take
in this piece of information. He had
been Julia's guardian ever since she was
| loft a OYt1h ION old hnf I 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
! if this came to light, then the disgrace
would be dark indeed.
! Can you tell me all about it," asked.
| at would take long time" he said,
| ''and it would be a deuce of nuisance.
| You make it up with Julia, and marry
| her, as you're bound to do. OF course
| you will manage all her money when you
| are her husband, as you will be. Now
| you know ALL
But | don't know ALL replied; "and
l insist upon doing so before l make up
my mind what to do"
For two hours | was busy with his ac-
| counts. Once or twice he tried to sink
| out of the room, out that l would not
| suffer. At length the ornamental clock
on his chimney piece struck eleven, and
he made another effort to beat retreat
do not go away till everything is
clear" l said; lis this all?'
| "All?" he repeated; isn't it enough"
Between three and four thousand
pounds defcientr' l answered; sit is quito
enough"
Enough to make me a felon," he said,
IF Julia chooses to prosecute me-"
Il think it is highly probable re-
| piled; though l know nothing of the
law"
Then you see clearly, Martin, there is
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 it
about. If you marry Julia, her affairs go
direct from my hands to yours, and we
are all safe. If you break with her she
will leave US, and demand an account of
my guardianship; and your name and
mine will be branded in our own island"
THAT is very clear" l said sullenly.
! "Your mother would not survive it,"
! he continued, with a solemn accent.
"Oh! have been threatened with that
already" l exclaimed, very bitterly.
Stray does my mother know Of this dis
graceful business?
Heaven forbidv' be cried. Your
mother is a good woman, Martin; as sim
pie as dove. You ought to think of her
before you consgn us all to shame. Poor
Mary! My poor, poor love! l believe
she cares enough for me still to break
her heart over it,
Then l am to be your scapegoat," l
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
if this were known"
l knew very we'll could not. My faith
er a fraudulent steward of Julia's prop
erty! Then farewell for ever to all chat
had made my life happy. l saw there
was no escape from i'll must marry
Julia.
We'll" 1 said at last, 'as you say, TIE
matter is in my hands now; and | must
make the best of it. Good night, sir"
(To be continued.l