Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1912-06-28

Y NAANs hOeAStA 5otACNhluS Adt
failed to observe when had seen the
baby year ago. The child now bore
an unmistakable and very striking
likeness to his father-his eyes; smile
and the sturdy way he held his shout
ders we're an exact replica of Sir
John.
The instant | made this discovery
there flashed through my mind a pos
sible solution of the mystery. Sir
John was so taken up with the baby
that he paid no affection to my move
ments. / went to the nurse.
Il am anxious to have word with
you in private said.
Very WELL" she responded, with a
Slightly startled look She walked
down the corridor and opened side
door which led into shrubbery, and
| followed
Il want to ask yon straight ques-
tion," ] said Il had an interview
with your mistress yesterday. in
which she told me the history of the
child. which she believes to be true.
| What is your name?"
Mrs. Hodgkins," was the reply.
Well, Mrs. Hodgkins, the whole
! story is very strange. Under ordinary
circumstances 1t would be my duty to
tell 1t to Sir John and to ask him
10 bring a detective down from Lon
don to probe the matter. For in
stance, before believing the version
which you and Mr.. Dayrell Tregenna
palmed OFF on Lady Tregenna. there
are some questions to be answered
Where was buried the real baby to
whom she gave birth? Where did you
find the child who was substituted?"
Now, what is all this about?" said
another voice.
l turned and saw Dayrell standing
before me. He looked more bloated
and disreputable than ever.
Il am talking with Mrs. Hodgkins
over private matter, and should be
glad to have you retire." I answered
III do nothing of the kind" he re-
turned. sullenly.
DO as you please" l responded in
differently. After all, what have
got to say may interest you as well
as this woman. Sir John Tregenna
has returned, and is at present with
his supposed heir. Lady Tregenna
has told me everything from her point
of view. 1t is my conviction that she
has been deceived. And"
Il shall tell you all you want to
know, sir" interrupted the nurse.
At these unexpected words Dayrell
turned pale. He looked at the WON
an viciously, and made a step for
ward, as though to strike her.
Stand back, you plotting hound"
said to him savagely, and stepped |
between him and the nurse. His hand |
dropped, and he moved a pace from
me.
Il am widow with one child" said
Mrs. Hodgkins. When came to
nurse the lady happened to meet Mr..
Dayren before the birth of the child
he spoke to me and expressed his
disgust at the possibility of an heir
being born. When the child arrived
there were grave doubts at first as to
he would survive. DIR. Col
lett had to leave the house shortly
after his birth, owing to an attack
of illness. which later carried him
off, After his departure Mr. Dayrell
baby was. l told him he was in a
bdu ways Jul IhtIG "dS IA GuduGb IOi |
him to pull through, and hurried back
to attend to him. An hour after the
child was breathing freely. and all
danger was over. | was engaged in
attending to him. when that villain
came to the bedroom door and called
me outside. He offered to pay me |
C 500 If | would act on his suggestion
and send message to DIR. Collett that {
the child had died. | believe that his
first intention was to send the living
child away and substitute dead chile
In its place, which he was confident {
he could procure. | needed the none,
badly, and consented to his horrible
suggestion. ] sent message to the
doctor to say that the baby had died I
Almost Immediately afterward a mes
sage came to say that Dr. Collect hae
lied suddenly, and that another physi
eian would be sent to attend on Lady
rregenna. On hearing this news MIR ]
oayrell completed his plot. He saw I
here was now no necessity to fetcf y
another baby. Dr. Collects death
lad simplified matters. When Lady g
rregenna was sufficiently strong, she
vas to be told that the real baby hat
lied and that another had been sub
tituted in its place.
"'As l can no longer inherit the {
said Mr.. Dayrell the onl, 4
hing left to me to do is to make
money. will make thousands out OF
hat unlucky child. Her ladyshiI $
will believe that he is not her own h
md l shall blackmaii her to any ex Il
ent' +
And so he did. He paid me. OF
curse. but no money was worth the
Misery | endured. | saw my poor =
Mistress fading before my eyes; she
ould not love the child that she be
Ieved was not her own. At last
egan to fear for her reason. Oh g
What is to be done?' The woman 3
obbed. and | turned to speak to Day p
ell but he had disappeared, q
Lady Tregenna must, of course
now the truth" ! said: but the ques
ion is whether Sir John is to be In
ormed or not. | think 1t would be Il
ruel to tell him. Your confession u
ill give immense relief to your mis- e.
| believe Dayrell win con u
ent to leave the country for his own
La Copno xx,ifh mo m n