The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-07-26
CHAPTER xxx.


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 aware 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 well 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
Of the Turf had married his washer
woman, society would only have inti-
mated that 1T 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 necessarye Lady Devine, how
ever, had resolved on 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 mini: 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."
sTt is more than brutal; it Is unnat-
ural," returned Francis Wade, and stole
a look at her. Moreover. he is mar
RED"
"Marriedv' cried Lady Devine.
$50 he says" continued the other, pro.
ducing a letter sent to him by Rex at
Sarah's dictation. He writes to me
stating that his wife, whom he married
last year abroad, has come to England,
aud wishes US to receive her."
81 will not receive herr cried Lady
Devine, rising and pacing the room.
''But that would be a declaration o.
war" said poor Francis. twisting al
Italian onyx which adorned his irreso
lutte hand; 81 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, AMI 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 tc
say?" he asked himself. 'She cannot
suspect enything after all these years
surelyy He ezdeavored to reason with
himself, but in vain; the knock at the
door which annnuIcsd the arrival of his
pretended nothsr made his heart jump
II feel deuceI 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 Il
YOU" He paused, for there was thai
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 ostensibly com,
to see
John Rex hesitated. but Sarah saw th'
danger. and FASTENED to confront it
"A wife should be a husbands bes
friend, madam. Your son married me Of
lis own free will, and even his mothel
can have nothing to say to him which
is not my duty and privilege 70 hear
| am not a girl, as you can see, and
can bear whatever news you bring.
Lady Devine bit her pale lips. Sh'
l saw at once that the woman before he
was not gently born, but she also fel
that she was woman of higher menta
| caliber than herself Prepared as sh'
was for the worst, this sudden and opeI
| declaration of hostilities frightened her
| as Sarah had calculated She began T.
realize that if she was to prove hersel
equal to the task she had set herself
she must not waste her strength In Skin
] mishing. Steadily refusing to look a
Richards wife, she addressed herself t.
Richard. my brother will be. here II
half an hour" she said, as though tn
mention Of his name would better he
position in come way. But ! begge'
him to allow me to come first, in orde
that l might speak to you privately.
Ito be continued.)