Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-09-04
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
- GORGE was rather puzzled to
- reconcile the apparent contra
. dictlon in Derrington's speech.

question.
"You are perplexed." he said quietly
II thought you would be. To explain
myself clearly it will be better to tel
you the whole story from the begin
ning.'
what story"
''The story of your mothers mar
rage and of my quarrel with youl
father. Do not be afraid. shall say
nothing to hurt your pride. But I fear
Percy was not overburdened with
brains. He was gay and thoughtless
and thriftless. Your talents. George
come from your mother She must
have been a remarkable woman.
However, to continue" pursued Der.
rington, pushing away his empty cup,
'Percy saw Miss Lockwood, he fell In
love with her, and finally he eloped.
wrote him letter saying he was to
return or would never see him again.
He declined to return and remained on
the continent with his wife. / never
did see him again." added Darlington
quietly, "for three years later he was
murdered at San Reno
"In his letter to you did my father
say he was marriedf'
HE did, but at the time, as he did
not say where the marriage was cele-
brated, l thought he mentioned 1t out
of obstinacy."
George colored. II don't see why you
should have so misjudged my mother"
he said hotly Admitting that she was
not born in the purple. she was in a
good position and had no reason to run
away with my father"
"She was in love with him, I be-
lieve."
Even then she would not have
eloped unless 1t was to be married"
Darlington nodded. "You are per-
fectly right" be said, X tried to dis
believe In the marriage. but In my own
heart knew there was one l have
behaved very badly. George"
"You have, sir But as we are now
reconciled the less said about the thing
the better. You are quite sure you do
not know where the marriage was cell
ebrated7"
mo. George, I do not. After the
death of your father tried to find out,
but it was impossible. Had really
seen the register Of the marriage ]
should have acknowledged you as my
heir. AS matter Of fact" added Der
rington, with burst of candor, II did
not trouble much to search, as feared
lest the marriage should be verified"
George wriggled in his seat. LET us
say no more" he said.
Every good. have confessed my
sins, and I have received absolution
from you At the present moment we
will leave the murder Of your father at
San Reno alone and come to the ap-
pearance Of Mrs. Jersey in my life.
You were with your grandfather Lock
wood in Amelia square. had consti-
tuted my second son my heir, and i
had relegated to obscurity the esca-
pade Of my son Percy. All was nicely
settled, in my humble opinion, when
Mrs. Jersey appeared I. make trou-
BILE. That was eight years after your
fathers death"
Where was she in the meantime?"
II cannot say She told me nothing
Of her history, but from word or two
which she lot slip believe she must
have been in the United States. Why
she went there from San Reno or for
what reason cannot say. She came
here to see me-we had an interview in
this very room-to demand money"
What threat did she make?"
''She said that she knew where the
was celebrated. adding that
Il did not give her an annuity she
would 60 to Lockwood and help him
to prove that you We're my legitimate
grandson and heir
did she say If the marriage was
celebrated in England or abroad7"
No. sir Mrs. Jersey was re-
clever woman. and If my son
Percy had married her she would have
made man of him"
Then she really was In love with my
lather?"
Every deeply in love-as she told me
herself But she did not regard his
memory with such veneration us to de-
ire to aid his son. She was content !
hat you should lose your rights, pro
'ided that paid her an annuity.
ried in vain to learn from her where
he marriage had been celebrated. She /
efused to open her mouth, SO allow
d her an annuity Of Eve hundred /
ear. arranged that the money should
e paid through nay lawyers, and she
anished."
"Where tor
II can't say. She might have gone
o rejoin Mr.. Jersey If there ever was
UGH person. She sent messenger
egularly to the Office Of my lawyers
or the money but did not trouble me
4 any way. Her next appearance was
hortly after the death of your grand
ather."
What did she want this time?"
ITO set up boarding house In Anne
a square. She said that her life was
,nely-a remark which made me think
lr. Jersey was highland that she
'anted company. expect she learn
4 In some way that was buying old
house"
why did you buy it?''
II have lot OF property in that dis
let and wanted 70 rouAd 4 OF with
lis house. Ireland, In his rage at me
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