The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-09-14
CHAPTER xxx.

The house of her husband was duly
placed at the disposal of Mrs. Richard
Devine. 1t only remained that the lady
should be formally recognized by Lady
Devine. The rest of the ingenious pro-
gram would follow as matter of course.
John Rex was well aEare of the posi-
ton which, in his assumed personality,
he occupied in society. He knew that
by the world of servants, of walters. of
those to whom servants and walters
could babble; of such turtles and men
about town as had reason to inquire con-
corning Mr.. Richards domestic affairs,
no opinion could be expressed, save that
"Devine's married somebody, l hear"
He knew we'll that the really great
world, the society, whose scandal would
have been socially injurious, had long
ceased to trouble itself with Mr.. Rich
ard Devine's doings in any particular. If
it had been reported that the Leviathan
If the Turf had married his washer
woman, society would only have init
mated that ''it was just what might
have been expected of him." To say the
truth, however, Mr.. Richard had rather
hoped that Lady Devine would have
nothing more to do with him, and that
the ordeal of presenting his wife would
not be necessary. Lady Devine, how
ever, had resolved on a different line of
conduct The intelligence concerning
Mr.. Richard Devine's threatened pro.
ceedings nerved her to the confession of
the dislike which had been long grow
ing in her mind; aided the formation of
those doubts, the shadows of which had
now and then cast themselves upon her
belief in the identity of the man who
called himself her son.
His conduct is brutal" said she to
her brother. II cannot understand it,"
''It is more than brutal; it is unnat-
ural," returned Francis Wade, and stole
a look at her. Moreover, he is mar
ried'
'Married!' cried Lady Devine.
$50 he says" continued the other, pro-
ducing letter sent to him by Rex at
Sarah's dictation. "He writes to me
last year abroad, has come to England
and wishes us to receive her."
II will not receive her." cried Lady
Devine, rising and pacing the room.
But that would be a declaration of
war;" said poor Francis. twisting an
Italian onyx which adorned his irreso-
lutte hand; II would not advise that"
1t was with some trepidation that Mr..
Richard, sitting with his wife, awaited
the arrival of his mother. He had been
very nervous and unstrung for some
days past, and the prospect of the COM
ing interview was, for some reason he
could not explain to himself, weighty
with fears. "What does she want to come
alone for? And what can she have to
say? he asked himself. "She cannot
suspect anything after all these years.
surely" He endeavored to reason with
himself, but in vain; the knock at the
door which announced the arrival Of his
pretended mother made his heart jump.
II feel deuced shaky, Sarah," he said.
"You are quite sure that you are ready
with your stOry?"
He rose with affected heartiness. "My
dear mother, allow me to present to
you" He paused, for there was that
in Lady Devine's face which confirmed
his worst fears.
II wish to speak to you alone" she
said ignoring with steady eyes the
woman whom she had ostensihly come
to see.
John Rex hesitated. but Sarah saw the
danger. and FASTENED to confront it