Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1901-09-26
CHAPTER x


Ny father stood motionless for mo-
meDt. Then slowly he sank into a chair.
II am ruined and disgraced man." he
said, without looking up; III you have
broken of your marriage with Julia,
shall never raise my head again"
"But whyf" asked uneasily.
Come down Into my consulting room, I"
he said. went on before him, carrying
the lamp. aud 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 II we were in
the depth OF winter.
Martin, | am ruined manr' he said,
for the second time.
but howT' ! asked again, impatiently
II dare not tell you" he cried, leaning
his head upon his desk and sobbing. How
white hts hair wasl 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. II you are
ruined and disgraced shall be the same,
as your son"
That's true" he answered, that's
truel 1t will bring disgrace on you and
your mother. We shall be forced to leave
Guernsey, where she has lived all her
life; and II will be the death Of her.
Martin, you must save us all by making
1t up with Julia"
"But whyf" demanded. once more.
II must know what you mean"
"Meany" he said, turning upon me an
grily, "you bloekhead! mean that un-
less you marry Julia shall have to give
an account Of her property; and / could
not make all square, not IL 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 a
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
IL this came to light, then the disgrace
would be dark indeed.
"Can you tell me all about it?" asked.
1T would take long time" he said,
"and 1t would be deuce of nuisance.
You make 1t 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
| insist upon doing so before | make up
my mind what to dc"
For two hours I-was busy with his ac-
counts. Once or twice he tried to stink
out of the room; but that | would not
suffer At length the ornamental clock
on his chimney piece struck eleven, and
he made another effort to beat retreat.
"Do not so away till everything Is
clear" said 'is this all2'
"All2" he repeated; isn't 1t enoughy'
Between three and four thousand
pounds deficient" answered; "it is quite
enough"
"ERough to make me felon,p he said,
If Julia chooses to prosecute teme."
II think 1t is highly probable" re-
piled; though know nothing Of the
law"
Then you see clearly, Martin, there Is
and keep our secret. have reckoned
upon this for years, and your mother and
have been of one mind in bringing 1t
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
viii leave us, and demand an account of
my guardianship; and your name and
mine will be branded in our own island" I"
"That Is very clear" | said sullenly.
"Your mother would not survive it!'
he continued, with solemn accent.
"Ohl have been threatened with that
already" exclaimed, very bitterly.
pray does my mother know Of this dis
graceful business7s
Heaven forbidp' he cried. "Your
mother is good woman, Martin; as sim
pie as dove. You ought to think of her
before you consign us all to shame. Poor
Maryl Ny poor, poor love! | believe
she cares enough for me still to break
her heart over il"