The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-05-21
A Scheme
That Failed
BY HATTIE PRESTON RIDER.


"A mortgage on farm in Kent County
as fine a quarter section as ever lay
outdoors"
Burdick looked him over kcenly.
"A first mort gage. of course | know
Kent county. What is your name %
Emmett Warren" The visitor pro-
nouDccd the words almost brazenly, it
seemed to Burdick He started slightly,
flushing under his clear brown skin.
Not the Warrcns of Orion township
You are not-John Wa1ren'S son 2"
His only child" the young man nod
ded eager affirmation. "My father died
four years ago. The farm was willed to
me-"
Burdick's pen Gathered to the floor.
He stopped to recover it. When he
Strengthened ur there was Il queer. drawn
look on his face.
Your mother he paused.
Young Warren set the tips of his slim,
unfarmcry fingers together.
"Mother aS-ghcm--no control of the
property" he said, smoothly. Il attend
to everything. The farm is in my rume"
Burdick's face cleared. Then he frown-
ed
"Do yon mean that your father left
his wife dependent ?' he asked. stcrnly.
The confirmed bachelor had ideas of his
own concerning such matters. Are You
married - He looked his client over,
with cold. critical dislike The latter
fiinchcd under the diSconccrting gaze
He had sought the money-lendcr us an
absolute stranger; vet the man evidently
&. Al, th,t
catechizing him like IL Sunday School
teacher.
Il have wife and two children.' he
answered. with smooth irony. II am of
legal age and believe. of Il sound mind;
therefore, qualified to transact business.
However. if you decide to loan me the
money. | can probably got my mothers
signature to whatever is necessary"
"The place is good for it" said Will
lard Burdick passing his visitors rude
ness unheedingly. Il must see the title,
though, and an abstract. if You have it;
also the original of your fathers will.
Your mother lives with YOU, suppose -
A dull flush stained young Warren's
face
"She is in Ridgetown just at present"
he evaded. stiftiy.
The lawyer raised his brows, but he
only asked
Her address. please ?"
Emmett Warren turned Il dozen colors,
cursing vigorously under his breath, as
his questioner wrote down from his die
tation NO 1916 Collins Street" and
folded the paper inside a corpulcnt peck
etbook Cad What danger was this
he had run his head into 50 neatly :?
Burdick was leaving him not 1t loOphole
of retreat. The fiendss take Homes, that
he should have dropped off just at this
juncture
Well At least the dead claim no
share in any spoils Luck had stood by
him 80 far There was Il chance he
might still bluff his game through The
money once safe in his hands-yes, there
We're better places of residence, even,
than Kent county.
Bring the papers tomorrow, at this
hour if it suits you," he heard Burdick
saying. Then he got up. and almost
without word took his departure
Under the long line of NAPLES in front
of 1876 Collins Street. two days later,
Burdck hitched his span of hays. En-
NETT Warren had come and gone but the
interview had not progressed exactly as
the young worthy hoped. Burtick smiled
grmly rs he thought of it. ana then
frowncd with pain. Ii WAS MHrcia'S son,
and his own task to tell her the story.
He went up the Tagged walk. looking
keenly about him. Over the door of the
plain brick building WAS cut the legend ::
ST. MARGARET'S HOME.
The rich money lender drew Down the
corners of his mouth. \ retreat for old
ladies On Il poplar tree i'll his fathers
pasture his own name and Marcia Bar
bcrS were cut. and their birth dates
She WAS his junior by three years; and
he WAS a.
A faded little woman showed him to
the neat receptions room. Yes, Mrs. War
rem was in. He walked back and forth
restleSSly. while the gentle waitress took
his message. \ few moments later.
when the door opened softly. his heart
beats were 50 thick he could not have
spoken to save his life. Thin and worn,
with frost touches on her brown hair,
she stood there; hut it WAS his lost sweet
heart of 30 years ago that looked at him
out Cf her hazel eyes. As she paused an
instant in puzzled unrecognitiCn, Bur
dick took long strides toward her.
Marcia ~ he cried, holding cut both
hands "Great HcAN ems If | had i'm
agncd-why on earth didn't you come to
see me 2?
She stepped back with n surprised eN-
clamation; then girlish color Suffused
her face. She put out her hands impul-
sively, instantly Withdrawing them
again. But it was too late. Burdick
had them both securely in his He led
her to the sofa, and sat down beside her.
''Do you mean to- tell me you live
here = he asked, sternly.
Sensitive tears sprang to her eyes
Eyes, Willard. 1t seemed-better" she
faltcrcd. "Everything went to Emmett;
and | could not be a burden"
He restrained some forceful words.
''YOur son came to me two days ago to
obtain "a loan of $4,000 on the farm. He
is very unlike you, Marcia. Do you
mean to tell me that your husband left
him absolutely everything p He was
watching her narrowly, for clue to put
his news with gentleness."
Everything" she answered, quietly
Emmett is not my child, though, Will
lard he is a relative of Johns first wife.