The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-01-07
CHAPTER xxvII.-continued.

Then somebody got Ii inserted, and
Tor a purpose" the lawyer said, ex-
,itedly. ut was evidently a prelimi-
nary step to something"
IF Miss West--I beg pardon. Miss
Grovely-were not able to prove her
claim" Mr.. Jackson interposed, why,
them"
Exactly" the lawyer interrupted.
And the proofs of my identity were
believed to be at the bottom OF the
sea-" Marion questioned, with an
eager look In her eyes.
But sufficiently neal the shore"
Mr.. Bice replied, that any day they
might be flung up by the tide. Now
who knew that | mean, who
knew that you were Lord Edwards
daughter. and that all the documents
necessary to prove that fact had come
down in the Nebraska?"
Mr.. Mayhem would know, OF
course, but then he was dead. All,
now | have it!' and her fair face sud
denly clouded.
Then she turned swiftly to Clement,
who was still leaning against the man
telpiece with a perplexed and troubled
lace. You remember having your
suspicious of Mr.. Evans Of Exeter?"
she questioned.
Il have believed from that day to
this that he and Nevins were one and
the same individual he answered.
PITY she can't view his body" Mr..
Jackson interrupted.
The features are past recognition
Clement replied. Besides, | don't see
that anything would be gained. New
lns clearly was not acting for him
self. The documents would be Of no
use to him personally. He was clear
ly In the pay Of some one else
Perhaps we had better not carry
these surmiscs any farther" the law
yer suggested at this point. AT any
rate, IL might be better for us to keen
our opinions to ourselves. Possibly
after the failure OF the plot-for plot
there evidently has been-Miss Grove
ly will have less difficulty in proving
her position
. But what am | to do to prove it,"
Marion questioned, with an anxious
look in her eyes.
Wei, to speak quite plainly" Mr..
Bice said. with ONE hesitation, you
should put the cas- in the hands OF
some capable and trustworthy So
licitor.'
And suppose the case should break
down, what would become of me? The
little money | have would go no dis
lance in lawyers fees"
Let me be your banker, Miss Grove.
ly," Mr.. Jackson said, impulsively. II
should dearly like to have a finger in
this pie. l should, indeed"
you are very kind, Mr.. Jackson,
and | thank you very much" Marion
said, quietly, but she did not look at
him.
IL you will let me take service for
you" Mr.. Bice said. with great diff
dence, Il promise, If we do not win
the case, no charge shall be made,
"Oh, how kind and friendly every
n isl" she said, gratefully. How
shall | ever thank you ALP"
Then l may take it as settled ?" the
lawyer ventured, with a smile of salts
faction, Now | must hurry back TO
st. Chloe. as the inquest Is to be held
this afternoon"
A few minutes later Clement was
the only occupant of the library. Mrs,
Mawgan had retired to the drawing
room. Marion had gone upstairs with
Esther. and Mr.. Jackson had taken
the lawyer and clockmaker back to
st. Chloe in his motor car
Clement flung himself into an easy
chair by the fire, and filled and lighted
his pipe. The revelation of the morn
ing had had a very SOLDERING effect on
him. At first it seemed like a ray of
sunshine dispelling the shadow that
lay between him and the woman he
loved. II Richard West was not her
father, then nothing stood in the way
of their union. The thing she had
pointed out as an insuperable barrier
no longer existed.
But a few moments reflection con-
vinced him that the shadow, instead
Of being lifted, was in reality denser
than ever. The revelation Of that
morning. instead Of bringing her near
er to him. had removed her farther
away. Save for her supposed fathers
crime. they stood on terms Of equality
before-they were both poor. both had
to earn their own living.
Now she was lifted suddenly out of
his reach. She would pass by right
into a circle that he never penetrated,
and bad no desire to penetrate. II he
dared to approach her he would be re-
garded as an impertinent fortune
hunter.
The poor may not be proud. but they
ATE often exceedingly sensitive. and
their sensitlveness passes for pride,
and is labeled Is such. In London
Clement felt far freer from c~onstraint
than he did at home. In st. Chloe,
and for miles around, every one knew
him. and every n knew OF their
heart-breaking struggle to keep up ap-
pearances. and this knowledge made
him shy. and dihident. and reserved.
Had he possessed plenty his skin
would have t~hickened; as it was, the
nerves came painfully near the sur
face.
Ths thought of Marlon's altered po-