The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-03
CHAPTER xxII.-contlnued.
Amos owynne,s Bad News.


Amos owynne's Bad News.
1T once came about" continued Mr.
Gwynne, that the slight acquaintance
which your father had with Dorothy Pen
rice ripened into friendship. She was if
an unpretending singer an admirable one
your father was a capital reciter, and at
the penny readings and local concerts they
oIten joined forces. This friendship of
theirs excited the jealousy of David Lat
timer tho there was not the slightest
thing of which he could complain. But
cause goes for nothing where jealousy Is
concerned. Just when Lattimer was most
bitter against his supposed rival, Hugh
Tremaine made startling discovery. He
found that David Lattimer had for some
time past been robbing his employers.
What was he to do? He felt in terrible
dilemma. 1t would be said if he spoke
out concerning Lattimer's falsifcations
that it was done thru spite. On the other
hand he could scarcely let the thing pass
because it would be dishonorable to his
employers. What made the matter ten
times worse was the knowledge that your
mother was engaged to a man utterly I'M
worthy Of her"
'Ah! that was just like poor father"
cried Eleanor, clasping her hands; che al
ways thought OF others first"
He certainly did so in this case" said
Mr.. Gwynne, slowly. II knew nothing OF
this then; had he consulted me I should
different from what he did. He came to
the conclusion that the best way out of
the difficulty was to tell Lattimer private
ly what he had discovered, and warn him
of the consequences II he persisted. This
was the wrong course to take with a man
of Lattimers dispostion--a strange mix
ture of passion and cunning. Lattimer re-
sented what he called your fathers in
reference, called him a liar, and threat
ened him with all kinds of vengeance if
he spoke again to Dorothy Penrice High
words led to blows; Lattimer struck at
your father but the blow missed, and the
return was the terrific smash between the
eyes which felled his antagonist. From
this point what you read In the newspa-
pers represented the case truthfully. But
you see now why your father, with that
high-min1edness which always struck me
as a mistake, refused to give any eXpla-
nation of the affair. He vowed that your
mothers name should not be brought into
the matter and all he hoped was that
David Lattiner would take warning and
cease his system Of peculation which was
so ingenously contrived that no one was
likely to detect what he had done, but
that II he continued detection would sure
ly follow. So your father went to prison
an innocent man."
"Ah. was sure Of it," she cried, her
eyes sparkling and cheeks flushing, but
after that, Mr. Gwynne?" ....
<hlISl tlidl KNOW very HCCle. Ills
mother died while he was in prison, and,
so far as 1 know, Hugh Tremaine never
visited his native place until ten years
after, when he returned from abroad, and
found the woman he loved still unmarried,
for Lattimer had turned out a thoro- paced
scoundrel and had disappeared"
Yes" said Eleanor, II read as much as
that In the papers,"
Exactly. OF course, your mother would
have nothing to say to him-indeed. be-
lieve the affair was broken off while the
trial of your father was proceeding. Any
how, there she was, still Dorothy Penrice
when your father appeared unexpectedly
at Bodm1n, proposed, and they were mar
ried. A pretty romance, is 1t not, where
alls well that ends well7'
The words were meant as encourage
ment, but to F,leanor's ears there was
something sinister in them. Her mother
had been pursued by ill-fortune, and 1t
would seem that she, her daughter, was
destined to have as bitter an experience
She, too, was pursued by man whom
she disliked, while one to whom her heart
was drawn was silent
I am glad you have told me the story,
Mr.. Gwynne," said Eleanor, earnestly II
have often wondered what was the secret
of my fathers past life. I was, Of course,
too young to be made a confidante Of by
my mother before she died, and suppose
1t revived too many painful memories for
my father to say a word"
well, Hugh Tremaine was always a lit
tie bit close and reserved said Gwynne
oddly enough, during the whole Of our
renewed acquaintance-and that extends
over some years now-he never referred
to past times, and always seemed uneasy
II ever showed a disposition to approa CHI
them"
There was nothing more to be said, and
Amos Gwynne rose once more to take his
leave.
II suppose" said he, hesita tingly, "it's
of no use asking you to reconsider your de-
cision about the creditors?"
mot the slightest" replied Eleanor, un-
hesitatinsly.
Amos Gwynne sighed and, bowling, was
about to retire, when Eleanor detained
him.
"One moment, Mr.. Gwynne, please, I
should like to ask you a question. Can
you remember anything In my father s.
past life that you know Of which took
place on Oct. 31?"
Mr.. Gwynne tried to remember. 'No,"
said he, II don't know of anything The
fight with Lattimer was in the early sum-
mer. No, I'm sure that date is not con-
nected with anything can remember
Eleanor seemed little disappointed. She
had hoped to fathom this mystery Also
you recollect," said she, sinking her
voice. that was the day on which my
poor dear father was murdered? But that
seen him become terribly moody and
strange as Oct. 81 drew near. I never
dared to ask him why, and he never
breathed a word to me ON the matter
You are quite sure you recollect nothing?''
Nothing whatever" rejoined the old
gentleman.
THANK you very much, Mr.. Gwynne,' -
said she, with sigh.
Amos Gwynne shook hands with Flea
nor and took his departure, leaving the
girl torn by agonizng doubts and fears
Now that Amos Gwynne was gone she
began to realize the effect of her momen.
tous decision. She called up the two head
servants-the housekeeper and the butler
and told them briefly what had hap.
pened. They were full Of sympathv-syn-
pathy which Eleanor was quite sure was
genuine. They offered to stay on as lone
as Miss Eleanor pleased; but the cir
wouldn't hear Of it,
IF I am going to give up the house, -
said she, L shall do so without loss OF
time"
There was more than a sufficient balance
at her bankers to enable her to pay of
the household, and. having satisfied he1
conscience In this respect. she determined
to lose no time in finding some quiet anc
cheap place to which she could remove
all her belongings.
The next day was a busy one In the
morning long interview with Mr.
Gwynne and his co-executor. then will
SICK HEADACHE,
Indigestion, Dyspepsia, Constipation
Bihousness, Heartburn, or Nausea cal