Middletown transcript., 1904-10-08
4 DOUBLE DISOBEDIE

time, though shail make II as siioft ne
possible. It is not exactly the kind OF
thing one cares to dwell on. !"
Kilmeny obeyed. Everything seemed
to be reeling round her in the shock
of what had just been told.
THE story you heard from hat Young
man Warrender the first time | saw you
was substantially true, Mr.. Daryl began.
"My family certainly were never what
might be called straight-laced people.
They went down, one by one, until only
my son was lett. He was the worst of
them all. He gambled. betted, drank.
committed every wickedness you lave
ever heard of, and some, doubtless, which
were not spoken of in Doctor Richmond's
family. Finally, when he had ruined
himself body and soul, he came home to
die,.
"When that event took place he sent
for me, and told me that he had pfiyately
married some girl whom he described as
good and innocent. If she were SO, that
very innocence killed her. He got tired
of her, as he got tired of everything, and
to rid himself of her and her child he
told her that his marriage to her was a
sham, as he had another wife living, and
he deserted her. The shock killed her /;
but the child lived-my heiress and the
only descendant remaining to me. He
gave me proofs Of his marriage, and told
me where the child was to be found, and
then he died.
II kept his confession a secret, and
resolved never to acknowledge his child.
Still, wished that she should be brought
up respectfully. Chance had thrown me
into contact, Of the briefest and most
professional sort, with Doctor Rich
mond, a young and struggling prach-
TONER l had seen his wife, and / had
heard that they had no children. ]
bought his present practice in his name,
and sent him the papers making it his
along with the child, who was secretly
conveyed to his house. Accompanying
her l sent letter stating that she was
born in lawful wedlock, but that her rel
atives wished, for urgent reasons, to rid
themselves forever of all responsibility
concerning her. stated that the prac-
tice which l had bought for him would
be taken from him unless he consented
to adopt the child as his own, and never
let it be known that such was not the
case. l said that she should never be
sought after or reclaimed, and that only
one person in the world except them
selves knew the truth about her.
81 did all this with the utmost secrecy.
l gave Doctor Richmond no option.
There was no clue by which he could
discover my name or the family of the
child. The child herself was pretty and
winning, I believe. He and his wife
accepted the charge. They removed at
once to Redminster, where everyone took
it for granted that the baby with them
was their own. When found that they
had done SO, made no further inquiries,
and lost sight of them completely. Twas
unaware that young Warrender had any
connection with them, or that there was
any chance of meeting them again.
"When / found out who you we're, |
changed my mind about you. twas not
likely that, brought up as you had been,
you would have your fathers tendencies.
| determined to know more of you, and
you seemed inclined to make that easy.
Still, should not have acknowledged the
relationship in which you stood to me so
soon but for some gossip which | heard
this morning concerning what people are
pleased to call my 'infatuation' for you.
did not choose that my granddaughter's
position should be misunderstood, and /
determined to proclaim it to the world.
l drove over when Lady Penryth left me
to see Mrs. Richmond.
''The arrangement between us had
been that nothing was to be said openly
until Doctor Richmond's s return, but that
| was to have every opportunity Of seeing
you in the meantime. / found however
that some story had come to your ears
last night, doubtless again through Lady
Penryth's kind offices, SO | made my
decision. I directed Mrs. Richmond and
her family to return home, and that,
when they were gone, you we're to be
sent to me here"
Mr.. Daryl looked keenly at Kilmeny's
face as he finished, in order to mark the
surprise and exuItation which the know
ledge OF her new prospects would awaken
i'll her. lie thought THAI what he had
revealed to her had probably been too
much for her, she looked so strange ard
pale.
'Did you meet mamma on the evening
when we dined at Mr.. Warrender's? ?"
she asked.
81 did not meet mamma anywhere"
he answered, frowning. II met Mrs.
Richmond that evening and gave her her
instructions. Do not consider yourself
under any obligation to her. She and |
Doctor Richmond were well paid for |
they ever did for you. Your
connection with them has ceased. Also |
[ do not intend you to have any more to
do with that fellow Warrender. He is |
not fit person for you to know. You
are no longer Doctor Richmond's child
you are Miss Daryl, my granddaughter
and heiress."
Still kilmeny did not answer, and Mr..
Daryl went on after pause.
"As to the ridiculous name which Mrs.
Richmond saw fit to give you, that must
be dropped. have looked into the mar.
riage register of your parents, and I find
that your mothers name was Mira. 1t /
will do as well as any other. You shall
be Nina Daryl henceforth. Kilmeny-l
Richmond has ceased to exist
"Yes-I see that" the girl answered
with an odd laugh. 81 have no choice, /
| must stay?
sYou do not want anv cl,oice f,, y.o,, p