Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-08-17
for The Term of His Natural Life
CHAPTER XXv.-(Continued1
BY MARCUS CLARKE

CHAPTER XXV.-(Continued.)
"Sell North End Housev' cried poor
Mr.. Wade, in bewilderment. "Why, the
carvings by Grinling Gibbons are the
finest in the world"
II can't help that" laughed Mr.
Richard. II want cash, and cash must
have.v dt
'Then what do you propose doing,
sirT ~-.... .-,-
ITO buy my mothers life interest as
provided, realize upon the property, and
travel" said Mr.. Richard.
You amaze me, Richard. You con-
found me. OF course you can do as you
please. But so sudden determination.
The old cattered-vases-
-pictures-I-really- Well, it is your
property, Of rse-and-and-and
wish you very good morning.
A knock at the door made Richard
start. Come in! What's thatl Let
ters? Give them to me. He began to
open his correspondence before his ser.
want.
When did this come" asked Mr..
Richard, holding out letter more than
usually disfgured with stampings.
Lars night, sir It's bin to 'AmDead
sir, and come down directed with the
hothers." The angry glare of the black
eyes induced him to add, II 'ope there's
nothing wrong, sir?'
Nothing, you idiotw burst. out Mr..
Richard, white with rage, except that
l should have had this instantly. Can't
you see it's marked urgentl Can you
read? Can you spell? There, that will
do. No lies. Get out"
Left to himself again, Mr. Richard
walked hurriedly up and down the
chamber, wiped his forehead and finally
sat down and re-read the letter 1t
was short, but terribly to the purpose:
"The George Hotel, Plymouth.
my Dear Jack-I have found you
out. you see. Never mind just how at
present. l know all about your proceed
ings, and unless Mr.. Richard Devine
receives his wife with due propriety,
he'll find himself in the custody of the
police. Telegraph, dear, to Mrs. Rich
ard Devine at above address. Yours as
ever, Jack, SARAH"
The blow was unexpected and severe.
1t was hard, in the very high tide and
flush of assured success, to be thus
plucked back into the old bondage. De-
spite the affectionate tone of the letter,
he knew the woman with whom he had
to deal. For some furious minutes he
sat motionless, gazing at the letter. He
did not speak-men seldom do under
such circumstances-but his thoughts
ran In this fashion: Here is this wom-
an again! Just as l was congratulate
ing myself on my freedom. How did
she discover me? Small use asking that.
What shall do? / can do nothing. 1t
is absurd to run away, for shall be
caught. Besides, I've no money. My
account is overdrawn two thousand
pounds. If I bolt at all, must bolt
at once-within twenty-four hours. Rich
as 1 am, / don't suppose I could raise
more than FIVE thousand pounds in that
time. These things take a day or two,
say forty-eight hours. In forty-eight
hours l could raise twenty thousand
pounds, but forty-eight hours is too
long. It's bad job. However, she's
not inclined to be gratuitously disagree
able. How lucky 1 never married again.
l had better make terms and trust to
fortune. After all, she's been a good
friend to me. Poor Sally!-I might
have. rotted on Eaglehawk Neck, if it
| hadn't been for her. She is not bad
sort. Handsome woman, too. 1 may
make it up with her. l shall have to
sell off and 90 away, after all. 1t might
be worse. l dare say the property =
worth three hundred thousand pounds.
Not bad for a start in America. And |
may get rid of her yet. Yes. l must
give in. Smithers! A telegraph form
and a cab! Stay. Pack me dressing
bag; I shall have to go away for a day
or so. I'd better see her myself"