Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-08-05

III Gun tQe IlSnt LHdL pOuTeo LEOm luV
shadows.
In moment the old mans eyes lit
up, as if a spark from memory's fires
had flashed into them, and his lips
opened and shut mechanically.
TITS the Marquis of Merle" he said
in a hollow whisper.
ooh, is it?" said Sinclair, moodiIy.
whoever it is, he'll see US, and there
will be a pretty kettle of fish. Con
found it, wish I'd left you at home
in Eden Row"
"The Marquis of Merle, Of Darra-
court" said the old man, nodding
with senile satisfaction. yes, yes"
he's no more the Marquis of Merle
than I ami" and he stretched his
mouth in a silent grin that was ap-
palIing.
mo more" exclaimed Mr.. Sin
clair, while Marie cIutched her seat
systematically in her establishment.
The old man raised his forefnger
impresstvely.
q knew the father of that man
there, VINO calls himself the Marquis
Of Merle" he said, his hollow voice
vibrating with vague pride. "He
the father-was called John Della
mere Merle. He was a gay man,
spendthrift, and a loose lover! re
member when the ligh's in his
place" and he pointed his finger to
the Court, never went out for week.
They danced, and they drank. and
they played cards by candIelight for
seven days together. He was a wild
man.
"He was handsome, and the people
loved him, though; there wasn't
girl within a score of miles but had
good word for him. There was one
girl, the daughter of a farmer; her
name das Richards-a fair girl, with
dark eyes and yellow hair. I remem-
Der her. He went away with her when
he'd lost, and drank, and squandered
all his money, and DarraCOurt saw
him and her no more for years. Then
he came back. There was a certain
young lady, rich heiress, his
friends had found for him. He was to
marry her, and restore the court and
all the estate with her money. He
married her, and this man standing
there smOking-is their SON"
Mr.. SincIai< ~s+~-aS loz> org of
disgug!
rs that all? What " trsrs LIN all
that to make a fuss about?' he eX-
claimed in an indignant whisper. "The
last marquis married the heiress,
and there stands their son; and he is
the present earl, of course! I
haven't gone in for studying the
arist0cracy, as you have done, bat I
know enough to know that. You said
he wasn't the right marquis to be
gin with, and now YOU say he is"
mo, no" said the old man, slowly
and impressively, II said he was their
son! But he is not the rlghtfuI mar
quisl"
Not? Why?"
Listen. The last marquis married
the heiress, here in the village church
and all rejoiced and the son-that
man there-was born. and all re
joiced still more. But all the same he
is not the Marquis of Merle."
Not? Why uOt?"
The old man stared vacantIy before |
him, Sinclair held Hzs breath, Marie
cIutched the seat as if her fingers |
were of steel ana both waited. Slow
" his memory came back to it's throne |
in the old mans brain.
why not?'' he. repeated Because /
the last marquis marrieI Bessie Rich |
ards, and a son was born"
Mr.. Sinclair almost Jumped into the
air and his teeth clicked
Can you prOve-how 30 you know
-" he gasped.
Mr.. Pollard smiled a CHASTITY grin
OF superiority
How do | know? Because I know
all their secrets. They had a son. a.
fine boy with yellow hair and dark
eyes like his mother They called him |.
Harry-Harry Herne. She brought !
him back here and was content to |
live and die here, letting It be thought /
that she was not married and her son
Legitimate But I know better. They |
were married at the church of St. An
cello in Paris on August the twenty /
fourth"
Sinclair sprang up trembling. Even |
in his narrow, shallow mind it was
evident that the knowledge, if prop
erly worked, would be worth fort !
une to him.
"How-how do you know?" he !
gasped
Because I saw ire ceremony7 re
piled the ol6 man. gradually sinking
back into his usual state of como. Il
saw the ceremony, and-I have a
copy of the register in the left hand
drawer of my bureau. That man there,
who calls himself the Marquis OF
Merle. is a nameless nothing, and the
rightful marquis Is Harry Herne!"
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr.. Sinclair sat staring stupidity at
the old man, too amazed to utter
word.
As for Marie Werner, the revelation
fell upon her like a thunderbolt, She
clutched the edge of the seat as she
'crouched in her hiding place. and lit
orally painted for breath.
The discovery was a stupendous
one. and meant for her, if she used It
properly, q magnificent future, fort
une. a position which she had never
even dreamed OF.