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

Arden Lesmere's son wrung his uncle's
hand, but he sighed as he did SO, for he
thought of Lestelle's deserted mother
and her own neglected childhood.
In the meantime, Mr.. Yately had been
porting over his note book, and now look
ed up to ask if Gen. Glenaughton could
remember whether his brother really
made this pedestrian tour, and under
what circumstances. The General glanc-
ed at Darcy, who answered for him.
YES, we admit my fathers visit to
Halesby. and his having made the nc
qaai,.lInce of Esther"
alone? Did he ms o this tour
aone?'
partly" Gen Glenaughton replied.
at Halesby / joined him for a week
or 500
"And became cognizant of the at
tachment?"
81 learned that he admired Esther"
the General unwillingly acknowledged.
And you left him still residing at
that placer
mo, we quilted the village together. |
came back to London alone, for Ar
den proposed crossing to Ireland and
visiting the Lakes of Killarney, but |
know nothing certain of his movements
till we met in Paris, just before his
union with Miss Darcy"
'"This is unfortunate, as 1t opens
probability of Mr.. Lesmere having re-
turned to Halesby after your departure.
Did you ever have any conversation with
him respecting this girl?'
mot until / was in attendance upon
him during his last illness"
~ +bo,, ;a5 Nv Vatoly aaC o.
erly. Pray tax your memory, and try
to remember precisely what he said
Nothing that could induce me to
think that he had ever felt any DISPOSE
ton to make Esther Waverill his wife"
what do you propose doingY asked
Percy, speaking for the first time since
he had drawn upon himself his fathers
anger.
Sending one of my clerks, shrewd
fellow whom l can trust, into Hamp-
shire. 1t will be no easy matter to trace
Mr. Lesmere's movements after so many
years, but we must do our best
Gen. Glenaughton, who for the last
few moments had been pacing the room,
came and stood opposite Darcy as soon
as the solicitor had arranged bis papers
and bowed himself out.
This girl-Esther or Lestelle-must
have her price," he said. rs she not
to be bought off? Silence, Percy he
added, imperatively. Il do not share
your infatuation, and / will not let it
stand in the way Of our family interests.
Think of the disgrace that will over
whelm us if we are unable to avert
public trial."
'IIow is it to be averted. except by
tamperiug with Wyett Paulton, and pay
ing him the price be would set upon his
revelations?" Percy demanded, imperi-
ously HE is villain enough to throw
Lcstelle over if you can prove to him
that it will be to his own advantage.
II will see this man." said the Gen
eral, thoughtfully.
mo, father, you must not! Darcy,
YOU will not permit it. cried Percy,
now turning from one to the other in
great agitation. Il may not live to see
the issue of this affair; | don't think
that | shall; but l believe my spirit
would come back to reproach you if Les
telle were wronged by those who should
protect her."
The General angrily flung off the hand
his son had laid on his arm; but Darcy
answered promptly. Il agree with Percy
that there must be no treating with the
opposite party. No one can dislike mo-
toriety more than | do"
'IIow is it to be prevented, if your
excessive precision stands in the way of
any efforts to prevent it?' his uncle tes-
tily demanded.
Only in this way. If the proofs Les
telle's guardian processes to be able to
nroduce satisfy me that she is my faith
er's daughter by a prior marriage, |
shall give up to her whatever was his.
With what remains of my mothers prop
erty | will go abroad
"And Ida-do you forget how pain
fully this will affect herr asked the
General, anxiously.
"Of course | release Ida from her
engagement. Until my rights are proved
beyond dispute, cannot ask her to
become my wife"
"1ou are too chivalrous and self-deny-
ing. my dear boy" Gen. Glenaughton
replied IF Ida thinks with me, she
will not suffer you to release her.
shall feel greatly disappointed if this
affair is permitted to delay your mar
rage"
Yes, yes; let the marriage take
place." added Percy. Poor Ida must be
spared, let who will suffer"
But Darcy was not to be turned from
his purpose. He would not wed his
beautiful cousin while cloud hung over
his prospects; and Ida, on learning the
reason why the ceremony was to be
deferred, agreed with him.
"Of course it makes no difference in
o,,~ Faot;nrs JNa. narn ~ aha sNid fem