Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-06

Copyright 1907, by Robt. w. Chambers.)
They decided to run through the
documents in the case once more, re-
viewing everything from the begin
ming. So young Courtlandt, the at
torney, unwrapped the pink tape from
the bundle of papers.
Wall and ceiling still bore the faded
imprint of the red winter sunset.
Edgerton sat before the fire, his we'll
shaped head buried in his hands.
Courtlandt. lodnging by the window,
presently began to read:
Paris, December "a, 1902.
John Edgerton, Esq.
Sir. My client, Michael 1nnis, is
seriously i'll, and | am writing you at
his urgent solicitation.
1t would appear that, during the
panic of 1854, my client came to your
fathers assistance, at time when
your fathers financial ruin was ap-
parently only a question of hours.
1t would also appear that, upon
your fathers death, you wrote Mr..
Innis, voluntarily assuming your
fathers unpaid obligations.
1t further appears that Mr.. Innis
generously offered to wait for the
sums due him, permitting you to pay
at your own convenience.
In the conclusion of this last letter
Mr.. Innis mentions his lifelong re-
spect for your father and his family,
.humorously drawing the social dis
,tinction between the late Winthrop
Edgerton. Esq, and Michael Innis.
the Tammany contractor, and rather
.wistfully contrasting the future pros
poets of Mr.. Edgerton's son, yourself.
and the chances of the child OF Mich
ael Innis.
To this letter you replied copy
herewith), repeating in manly fash
ion your assurance of gratitude, hold
ing yourself at the service of Mr..
Innis. Il
Now, sir, if your assurance meant
more than mere civility, you have an
opportunity to erase the deep obliga-
tion that your father assumed.
Mr.. InniS is a man broken in mind
and body His fortune was invested,
against my advice, in Madagascar
Railways. Today he could not rea-
lie thousand dollars from the in
vestment.
For twenty years his one absorbing
passion has been the education and
fitting of his only child for a position
in the world which he himself could
never hope to attain. And his daugh-
ter has had the best that Europe can
afford
Within a month all is changed. Sir
1t is sad to see the stricken man lying
here, watching his daughter.
And now terror of the future for
her has wrung an appeal from him to
you--a strange appeal, Mr. Edgerton.
Money alone is little: he asks more;
he asks your protection for her-not
the perfunctory protection of guard
ian for ward, but the guidance of a
father, the companionship of broth
err the loyalty of a husband.
The man is blinded by worship of
his own child your fathers son rep
resentS to him all that is noblest
most honora BILE, most desirable in the
world.
Sir. this is an overdrawn draft upon
your gratitude. I fear. Yet [ write
you as | am hidden. An answer should
be returned by cable with as little
delay as possible. He will live until
he receives it. Marriage by proxy is
legal, Special dispensation is certain
am sir with great respect, your
very humble servant,
WILLIAM CAMPBELL.
Atty and Counselor at Law, l rue
dJssy.
When Courtlandt finished reading
he folded the letter, glancing across
lot Edgerton "That was written two
years ago today. you remember
this foreclosure Of HIS mortgage upon
your gratitude"
II remember" said Edgerton.
This is copy of the asinine
cablegram you sent without consult
ing me-" And he read:
INNS
% rue d'Abdul Hamid, Paris.
l assume all responsibility for your
daughters future. Utterly impossible
for me to leave New York. If you
believe marriage advisable, arrange
ror special dispensation and ceremony
by proxy. JOHN EDGERTON.
"What the merry deuce did you
send that cable for?' muttered Court
landt under his breath.
81 don't know-a debt of gratitude