Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-10-01
GHAPTER x

My father stood motionless for a mo-
ment. Then slowly he sank into a chair.
Il am ruined and disgraced man," he
said, without looking up; "if you have
broken off your marriage with Julia, I
shall never raise my head again."
But why?' asked uneasily.
"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 it vacant and troubled. His
consulting room was a luxurious room,
elegantly furnished. He sank down into
an easy chair, shivering as if we were in
the depth of winter.
Martin, I am a ruined man, he said,
for the second time.
But howF' l asked again, impatiently
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! Ny heart softened and warmed to
him as it had not done for years.
Father l said, eff you can trust
any one, you can trust me. II you are
ruined and disgraced shall be the same,
as your son.
''That's true" he answered, chats
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 1t will be the death of her.
Martin, you must save US all by making
it up with Julia"
"But why?" I demanded, once more.
81 must know what you mean"
'Mean?" he said, turning upon me an
grily, .you blockheadl / mean that un-
less you marry Julia 1 shall have to give
an account Of her property; and could
not make all square, not II l sold every
stick and stone possess" :
I sat silent for a 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 l had
never known that there had not been q
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
SIT. would take long time," he said
"and it would be q 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 l don't know all, replied; "and
1 insist upon doing SO before make ,ur
| my mind what to do"
For two hours l was busy with his ac
counts. Once or twice he tried to slink
| out Of the room; but that l would moi
| aI1ff A aerth ,to1 nln
on his chimney piece struck eleven, ano
he made another effort to beat retreat
| 'Do not go away till everything Is
clear" l said; SIS this all? 2"
"AIl| he repeated; isn't it enough?"
Between three and four Thousand
pounds de6cientp' answered; sit is quite
enough"
Enough to make me felon," he said
IF Julia chooses to prosecute me-"
q think it is highly probable" l re
| piled; though 1 know nothing Of tn,
| law"
Then you see clearly, Martin, there il
j no alternative but for you to marry her
and keep our secret. l have reekonet
upon this for years, and your mother ant
| have been of one mind in bringing /
about. II you marry Julia, her affairs g
direct from my hands to yours, and w
are all safe. If you break with her sh,
will leave US, and demand an account o
my guardianship; and your name ant
mine will be branded in our own island.
"That is very clear said sullenly.
4 "Yeur mother would not survive It'll!
he continued, with solemn accent.
"Ohl have been threatened with tina
already" I exclaimed, very bitterly
pray does my mother know of this dis
graceful business 2"
Heaven forbidv' he cried. "You
mother is good woman, Martin; as sim
pie as dove. You ought to think of he
before you consign us all to shame. Poo
Mary! Ny poor, poor love! believ
she cares enough for me still to brea
her heart over II"