Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-05-20
CHAPTER XvI.-(Continued.)

cannot conceive White ana w eliSley
lending themselves to a mere fam. Ihey
must have had what appeared to them
very convincing proofs Of the legality
oS these claims, before they undertook
90 act for the person who alleges them.
Then you would have me regard the
matter seriously?'' cried Darcy. You
do not consider it as an Infamous at
aempt to extort money!
Most certainly l do not. We shall
ARye to be wary, sir, and get peep into
The enemy's hand before we affect to de-
gpise his play"
Darcy thought awhile. Though his
confidence in his father remained I'M
shaken, he saw that some greater proof
was needed than his own solitary refu-
cation Of the charges brought against it.
will you see these lawyers for me"
ns asked, "and learn upon what founda-
sion they base this strange story? AS
sure them from me that while l would
not continue to hold property to which
Z have no legal right, yet that | will
contest their claims to the utmost if they
40 not succeed in convincing me that
sbey ere just ones"
quite right-quite right" assented
Wellesley White is slow, but L have
a great respect for Wellesley. I'll have
a friendly chat with him. The notoriety
inst now would be extremely unpleasant
for the lady especially"
But here Darcy broke in.
My marriage you are abiding to
abaa. 1t must be postponed, of course
Hs did not say this as if overwhelmed
as she prospect; but VI Iately chose
n, >onsider him SO. and soothngly re-
piled, Wen hope not-wcll hope not. l
may be ~ { to bring you better news
tomorrow.
Darcy had promised to escort Ida and
Mrs. LavingtOn to a flower show; but
while tolerably positive that this claim
10 the Lesmcre estate could not be
just one, it harassed him so much that
40 sent an excuse. and did not show
AimseIt until the following morning.
Percy came into the room; he rarely
eared to be alone with his father, and
would generally watch at his dressing
room window for Darcy before he emerg-
ed from his own apartments. He was
che frst to perceive that trouble sat on
MIS- cousins broad brow. and to inquire
what it was.
Nothing more nor less than the pros
Sect OF 4 lawsuit" was the reply.
The General looked up from the letter
De was writing, and Percy shrugged his
shoulders.
81 shouldn't have thought that a tussle
with Dame Law would have disturbed
your equanimity so much! What have
ron been doing?-taking possession of
l.. Al, Inln
70 yeuT
Worse, If my opponent proves his
case; FOR, according to his plea, / am not
what seem; or, in other words, l have
NO right to the Lesmere fortune"
Explanations of surprise burst from
both father and son. But he pointed
towards the solicitor, who was just en-
aerin. the room.
'Here comes my informant. He can
tell the tale with more patience and
aeIiberation than l am able to muster.
Have you seen White and Wellesley, Mr..
YnseEy?'
81 have seen one of the members of
Mat firm" the solicitor replied, land
gegrct to say that we are threatened
with great deal of unpleasantness, if
nothing worse
Darcy folded his arms and put his
Back against the mantelpece, while Mr..
Yately read the letter which he had re-
ceived on the previous day.
Gen. Glcnaughton wiped the perspira-
lion from his brow as he listened. This
Es terrible-it is infamous" he exclaim
Sd. What is to be done?"
Hush, father" cried Percy, impa-
Silently: 1--WE have not heard all. Go on,
Mr.. Yately. What notice have you tax
en- of this letter."
81 have sought, and obtained, an in
seryiew with one of the members OF the
arm from whom this communication en-
anates They would not give me a
glimpse at their tactics; but they assured
me, without prejudice, that the evidence
put into their hands warrants them in
asserting that we have not a leg to stand
upon"
Gen. Glenaughton looked uneasily ut
ATS nephew, who had started from his
sassy itude and moved across nearer
30 the cable. and then the General ex-
claimed 'Evidence If they have any,
why has it not been brought forward
sooner? 1t is the vile scheme of some
Sseyer knave, depend upon it"'
AR Yately bowed in Difference to the
Generals opinion, but went on: Their
snse is that Arden Lesmere. during a
pedestrian tour in the south of England.
visited Halesby. where he made the ac
4aaintancc of a young girl named Esther
WaveviIl.'
IL was Darcy's turn to utter an ex-
preston Of astonishment 1t must have
Seen to an episode in his fathers life
sSast he had listened when the General
axplained his interest in Lestelle. Turn
Eng little from the rest OF the party,
&hs Young man dropped into a chair;
sad shaded his face with his hand. He
JNss right-minded and honorable; and his
BEST feelings We're wounded when he
wns compelled to believe that the parent
whose memory he had fondly reyerenced
AsI proved himself neither the one nor
The other.
This young girl" said Mr. Yately,