The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-06-24
CHAPTER XVIII


very near, and it would be hard to say
whether the Honorable Beatrice Philli-
more or Robert Pegram regards it with
most uneasiness. The more Beatrice
thinks over this marriage, the more is
she convinced that 1t is throwing away
her life's happiness. She never half knew
how dearly she loved her cousin till now,
nor was she thoroughly alive to the wide
difference between herself and her be-
trothed They had not a sentiment in
common.
Jack Phillimore is as general in his
condemnation Of things.
What are we to do, Ronald?' he ex-
claimed. you say you have completely
lost all trace of old Pegram and old
Krabbe."
"Yes." replied Ringwood modify: AZ
am dead beat at present. 1t is very doubt
full whether we unravel the mystery of
old Krabbe in time. tell you what you
must go straight TO Lord Lexington, tell
him what we suspect, and point out that
1t would be advisable to postpone the mar
riage for a month, or till such time as
the thing is cleared up"
You don't know my uncle, Ronald"
rejoined Jack ''he would not listen to me-
He sees a big pile of money coming into
the family through this marriage, and
would be loath to believe it was not so.
And then. what can l say?-nothing. but
that Pegram and his invalid clerk chang
ed their lodgings surprisingly often"
Il will own, Jack, / would infinitely
prefer to thoroughly expose the Pegrams.
II
mind, that the old man they took away
from Rydland is not the old man they
brought back, the old man you saw; but
we certainly cannot prove this as yet"
That Jack Phillimore should be on his
way to Rydland by an early train the
next morning was not much to be won
dered at. Between his passion for his
cousin, and his firm belief that she was
about to sacrifice herself to an impostor
whom she despised, Jack was wound up
to a pitch of nervous excitement which
made it a relief to do anything. Denun-
citation of the Pegrams, father and son,
was the only thing that seemed to clearly
point itself out to him, and that he could
deliver that with considerable energy and
figurative establishment he entertained no
doubt. He walked up the street towards
Pegram & Sons Office, he muttered to
himself, BE cool, Jack. my boy, be cool !;
cutting if you like, but be COOL
He gave his card as he entered the
Office, and was speedily ushered into the
presence of Mr.. Pegram. The old man
was in the Office alone, and bowed courte-
ously to Jack
''Some relation, presume. of Lord
Iakington's, Mr.. Phillimore and, under
the present circumstances, l am only too
delighted to see you. 1 trust you will
dine with US tonight"
Jack Philiimore was taken most thor
oughly aback He had fully expected to
be received as an enemy endeavoring to
pry into the secrets Of Pegram & Son /;
instad of which he was welcomed as one
of the family
Eyes, l am a nephew of Lord Taking
tons: / am afraid when you hear what
have to say that you will not feel dis
posed to be so friendly towards me. Has
it never occurred to you, Mr.. Pegram,
that the proposed marriage between your
son and my cousin is hardly suitable!'
MAY 1 ask" replied the old lawyer
dryly, IF you are speaking on behalf Of
his lordshipY
Not exactly; am speaking as one of
the family. AS next heir to the title, l
should imagine l have some right to ex-
press an opinion on the subject And
tell you," continued Jack, that no man
of the world could have two opinions
about it. / am not for one moment inn
pugning the responsibility of your fam
lily, Mr. Pegram, but you must be aware
that you are not exactly of the class with
whom the Phillimores are wont to marry.
Lord Lexington and Miss Beatrice
appear to differ with you upon this
point"