Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-22


defy Mrs Jersey and sit mp this night"
NO" said Brendon hastily, I've may
as well do what she wants wish to
conciliate her She IS the only person
who can help 10 prove my mothers
marriage"
"Humph! though there was some
thing queer about he Who was she;"
MY mothers maid But had bet
ter tell you from the Ginning"
Train sat down and produced
cigarette. "Go on" he said mo. wait.
I want to know beforo YOU tegin why
Mrs Jersey was SO struck with that
yellow holly"
This time it was Brondon who looked
puzzled. II can't So leonard"
do you think sho injected it with
some Disaster" asked Train.
From her looks, when she set eyes
On it, should thin So
Does Miss War NOW Mrs. Jer-
tcy:"
NO. She knows 'alliing about her"
And it was Ms Ward who gave
you the yellow b ""
"YcS. When Vas at afternoon tea -
"Then I car see why Mrs. Jersey
should have i.'e such a spectacle Of
herself said leonard, lighting his
cigarette. TIE your story
III do so as concisely as possible, -
said Brcndon, staring into the fire.
MY mother Wa the daughter of An
thony Lockwood, VINO was Il teacher
of singing and lived here. she was
very beautiful and also became IA
nous as singer at concerts. The son
of Lord Derriu.ton, Percy Vane saw
her and loved ler. He subsequently
elopcd with her She died in Paris two
years later, shortly after l was born"
And you cane 10 live here:'
Not immediHrcly. | was but an in
FAINT in arms, hut my father would not
part with me lie kept Mrs. Jersey
she was my mothers maid, remember
as my nurse and We went to Monte
Carlo am afraid my poor father was
bit Of a scam lie was at all events
a gambler ana It all his money at the
tables He bee ne poor and his father,
Lord Derrlngtou refused to help him."
He was angry at the marriage, l
suppose"
That's the point. Was there a mar
riage? But to make things clear ! had
better go IN as | started. My father
went to San Reno, and from that place
he sent me home to my grandfather
Lockwood.
"By that time Mrs. Jersey had left
| had another nurse, and it was she
who took N 10 this house. My grand
father was delighted 10 have me, as
he always insisted that there was q
marriage. | grew up here and went to
school. afterWurd TO college My
grandfather died, but there was just
enough money to finish my education.
The house WIS sold. and by a curious
coincidence Mrs Jersey took it as n
boarding establishment. Where she
got the money | don't know. But
passed out of her life as mere in.
FAINT and / don't suppose she thought
anything more about me. Perhaps she
recognized me tonight from my like
ness to my father, as she mentioned
that she had seen my face before. But
| can't say"
What became OF your father"
That is the tragic part of the story.
He was murdered at masked ball at
San Reno. lhe assassin was never
! discovered, but lie was supposed to DO
some passionate italian lover. My
grandfather lockwood was so angry
at the way in which his daughter had
been treated that he never stood up
for my rights. Iwould not do SO either
but that l love Miss Ward. Now. it
is my intention to see Mrs Jersey to-
morrow and get the truth out Of her"
What does she know"
"She knows where the marriage was
celebrated and can prove that my
birth is Legitimate. That is why
came here, Leonard"
"Why did you not speak to her to-
| night
IL think It il better she should be in
a quieter frame OF mind" said Bren-
don. "She has never seen me since
was a small child. and my name Of
Brendon is Quie unknown to her"
"Why do You call yourself Bren-
DOM" asked Tain.
George begar TO pace up and down
the room