Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-25
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Worthington took q memorandum of
the day. hour and minute and sent 1t
to the detective at A. The spy, who
Deanes. reported that at that time
she saw Mr. Deane writing at his desk
near the study window. Half an hour
later she made note Of the fact that
his mother came to the window, MOTTO
ed that the sun was shining too
brightly on her sons desk and pulled
down the shade.
This seemed to establish an aiibi.
Instead of writing threatening note
to the playwright, Mr.. Worthington
simply reported the fact to him that
he had been again informed Of a meet
ing of Mr.. Deane and his daughter
and would like to know If it were true.
Deane wrote reply stating that he
had not left his residence at A. on
the day he was reported to have met
Miss Worthington.
A third report of a meeting between
the lovers came to Mr.. Worthington,
but not through either Of his detec-
tives. The lovers were said to have
been seen walking In park near the
center of the city. The person report
ing the meeting was a sister Of Mr..
Worthington, who, In the event Of bis
daughters death or disinherttance,
would inherit the principal part Of his
property. He telephoned at once to
his spy in A., asking II the playwright
was seen In his home on the day and
hour named The reply came that Mr..
Deane had not been seen there after
10 o'clock in the morning. when he
had driven out with his mother.
Since he was reported to have been
seen walking in the park with Mabel
at 8 In the afternoon he would have
had ample time to go to the city to
keep an appointment at that hour. Mr..
Worthington, who was now moving
more cautiously, wrote Mr.. Deane,
stating the facts and asking for an ex-
PLANTATION. Mr.. Deane's reply contain
ed affidavits Of three different persons
that they had seen him driving In l.,
a suburb Of the city, fifty miles dis
tant, between or 4 o'clock in the
afternoon Of the day in question.
When Mr.. Worthington read these
replies his brow lowered. He was
aware that his sister was next Of kin
after his daughter, and he at once sus-
pected her Of plotting to prevent Ma
bells marriage. The more he thought
of such a scheme the more feasible 1t
seemed to him. he remembered that
| II girl set her heart on q man and
meets with a disappointment she II
very apt not to marry any one eise. II
Miss Amelia worthington could secure
Mabeps disinheritance, that would be
even q better scheme than to prevent
her marriage. If he had been convfnc-
ed of a plot on, the part Of his sister
he would have consented to his daugh-
ter's marriage at once. But the mat
ter was merely a suspicion
However, he was not sure but that
some one was acting in opposition to
Deane and Mabel, and this Modified
him considerably. When one evening
Mabel asked him to take her to the
theater he consented. 1t was tho first
night of a new play, but the old gen.
tleman knew nothing about that All
he did know was that as the play
progressed the audience, including him.
self, became very much impressed with
it and finally enthusiastic. When the
curtain fell at the end Of the third act
shouts were made for the author.
When he appeared Mr.. Worthington
found himself Joining in the storm of
applause. Then. putting on his glasses
and taking another look at the re
cipient, what was his astonishment
when he saw In him his would be son
in-lawl
Mr. Deane's play was reported by the
) critics in the morning newspapers as. a
great hit. and the playwright found
himself famous Not only living. but
fortune was assured. From the mo
ment of Mr. Worthington's leaving the
playhouse he ceased his opposition to
, his daughters match. his change OF
mind not only being due to Deane's
: success, but to what Worthington sup
! posed to be a plot on the part OF his
sister to get possession of his property
: after his death. So one day. after a
conference between him and his daugh
, ter. she left him with his consent tc
her marriage.
: One day some time after the wed
! ding MIR. Worthington. who had be
, come quite fond of bis son-in-law. ex
pressed the opinion to him that Miss
Amelia Worthington had laid plot
to secure his property.
81 can't permit any one to suffer un
justly" said Deane. so | must exon
crate your sister from any such sus
j picion. This involves a confession
! When as an actor was studying the
: technique of the stage took double
part. requiring my appearance on thu
! boards when was not there. A dummy
. was constructed that was my exac,
) Twin When you put detectives upor
/. ne this dummy was placed In my
study window and afterward. when
drove out with my mother. was car
3 ried wrapped In a shawl into the car
1 rage. | got out at the station and my
: mother drove TO L. with the dummy
E sitting beside her. while went Il
: meet Mabel In the park"