Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-08-18

v
say.
"And as Marquis of Merle, you
inherited the Hall and the late mar
quis' money-there wasn't much of it,
though"
The marquis stared at him haught-
lily under his half-closed eyelids.
Your father was bit by the same
dog as yourself, wasn't he, my lord
Fond of shutting the cards, eh?"
The marquis eyed him in silence.
I'm only stating the truth, mar
quis, when l say that he'd have been
ruined before you were born if it
hadn't been for your mother being an
heiress. She was Miss De We're,
marquis
The marquis rose, and laid his
hand upon the bell
wait a minute, said Mr.. Sinclair,
coolly, though the perspiration stood
upon his brow. Don't be offended;
I'm obliged to touch on family mat
tiers. Give me the rest of the ten min
utes. marquis-you won't be sorry for
il afterward."
The marquis sank back into his seat
and took out his watch.
Il will give you the rest of your
time" he said, quietly.
Miss De We're, an heiress. Her
money tided your father over a year
or two, but then he went wrong again,
and sold the Court, didn't hep
The marquis, of course, made no
reply.
"Then he died, and you became the
Marquis of Merle, and then you mar
ried Miss Darracourt, and got the
Court back, and no end of thousands,
and it's all very jolly"
The marquis glanced at his watch,
but Mr.. Sinclair took no heed of the
warning.
Now, marquis, suppose I had Sc.
cret which might be worth every pen
ny you've got, what would you give
me for it,"
The marquis eyed him with genuine
curiosity. OF course, the man was
mad
1T all depends upon the secret"
he said.
"Just SOL" assented Mr.. Sinclair.
1T all depends upon the secret! Now.
suppose it was secret that took, not
only all your money, but your title
your name itself-how them"
DO you think you have got such
a secret, my friend?" he said. He was
beginning to feel almost amused.
Il don't think; l know I have!" said
Mr.. Sinclair, and his tone of quiet
and exultation struck the
marquis as most interesting. It
proved how thoroughly mad the fell
low was. But how had he got the
information respecting his fathers
marriage? From the "Peerage," doubt
less.
"Oh, you have a secret, have your"
he said. well, out with it, nv man.
Time grows short! Interesting as you
are, | cannot afford to rob the asylum
for more than five minutes longer"
"Oh, you can't, can't your said Mr..
with sheer. "You think
I'm mad! Perhaps your lordship
never heard of Bessie Richards?"
The marquis gave a little start
Then he rose and looked down at the
living statue of yulgarity, with a smile
that was almost indulgent and plying.
My friend, I'm sorry for you" he
said. eff you think that you can ex-
tort money by threatening to disclose
any of the late marquis irregularities,
you are mistaken. My poor fellow,
every man and woman knows the
story of Bessie Richardsi'
ooh they do, do they? | don't
think they do said Mr.. Sinclair.
The marquis stroked his mustache
Everybody knows that my father
took a fancy to the girl and ran away
with her. Ah' see; you are a rela-
tive of hers! That's your game, my
friend, is ft?0
mo; I'm not a relative" said Mr..
Sinclair; II never saw the person
beg her pardon-the lady. So, you
admit that your father, the late mar
quis, ran away with her, do your"
The marquis shrugged his Shout
ders.
Certainly"
"Ah!' and Mr. Sinclair drew a long
breath; Eand that child-a son, was
born, eh?"
The marquis nodded, and glanced at
his watch.
Three minutes longer!'
Perhaps you know the name he
went by said Mr.. Sinclair, insidious-
ly. Perhaps you know him very we'll,
the man | mean-Harry Herne!"
The marquis eyes glittered.
Yes, | know him. he said. "And
so you come from him. do you? Good!
III save you. time. Tell him that YOU
came to me, and that I said that I
would give him ten years penal sery-
ltude if he ever crossed my path
Mr.. Sinclair stared.
In, -,