Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-25
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her married life held no further com
munication with him, and never men
| toned him to me by name. Now one
day on EXmoor he found a lady who
also was devoted TO BEETLES At least,
she knew all that the Encyclopedia
Britannica could teach her. She was a
poor but handsome widow
"Aht"
1t is delightful to talk with you, Alb
| ingdon. Your monosyllsbles help the
narrative along Sir Philip married the
widow She brought him son, aged
>. There were no children born Of my
uncles marriage.
/ on
When poverty overlook my dear one.
! she so far obiterated a cruel memory
| as to appeal. not once. but many times,
/ to the human coieopterus Of Exmoor,
| but she was invariably frozen off either
/ by Lady Louisa Morland or by Messrs.
/ Sharpe q Smith
Did they admit this"
/ by no means ! am telling you the
! facts / am still on top of the Py-
/ renees "
Then how did you ascertain the
facts"
II have in my possession ever since
my mothers death the letters they
wrote to her They were fresh in my
memory when you and | first met in the
Clerkenwell Police Court. That is why
the name OF Philip Morland was glib
on my tongue"
80 / have only heard historical
events. events prior TO the last ten
years."
Exactly. MY uncle is now 90 years
Of age Lady Louisa Morlands son is
"a Her ladyship's whole aim in life
has been to secure him as the baronets
heir. The title. of course, he can not
obtain. But most unfortunately. he has
Iio penchant for beetles. Indeed. Lady
Louisas researches have long since di-
mnished in ardor. Her sons interests
are divided between the Sports Club
and the coryphees OF the latest musical
comedy-moths are more in his line, ap
parently My uncle, who Is preparing a
monogram on the feas which patron
lie Exmoor wild ponies came 10 town
last week to visit the British Museum
Unhappily. he heard something about
his stepson which disturbed his re-
searches. There was a row"
''Why do you say 'unhappily -
Because / am dragged into the
wretched business on account of it..
After lapse of more than twenty five
years he remembered his, sister. went
to his solicitors. made fearful hubbub
when he heard OF letters received from
her and answered without his know
ledge, and ascertained that she was
dead and had n son living. At any
cost, they must find that son. They
have guessed at my identity for some
time Now they want to make sure of
it."
And what did you say"
81 told them | would think over the
situation and communicate with them
further"
Were they satisfied
by no means. They are exceeding
ly anxious to placate the old man.
They probably control a good deal Of
his money
UNI"
"Of course, You see the deiicacy of
their position. After playing into the
hands OF Lady Louisa for nearly a quar-
ter OF a century they suddenly find the
whole situation changed by the bar
onet's belated discovery that he once
had sister"
You have not told me all this with
out purpose DO you want my ad-
vice."
Philips face was clouded. his eyes
downcast
"You understand" he said, after a
long pause. chat some one, either the
man or the woman--the woman, | think
lis morally responsible for my moth
er's death, She was poor-wret chedly,
horribly poor-the poverty OF thin cloth
ing and insufficient food, She was i'll,
confined TO a miserable howell for weary
months, and was SO utterly unprovided
with the barest necessities that the par
ish doctor was on the point of COMPEL
Z ing her 10 60 TO the workhouse inilrm-
| airy when death came. Am TO be the
/ instrument OF Gods vengeance on this
woman?"
/ Mr.. Abingdon, who had risen to light
a cigar. placed kindly hand on the
young mans shoulder
philip" he said. with some emotion,
~ have never yet heard you utter a
hasty judgment You have prudence
| far beyond your years II seems to
be. speaking with all the reverence of
| man in face OF the DEGREES Of Provi-
dence that God has already provided q
terrible punishment for Lady Louisa
Morland, What is the name of her
] son.
II do not know | forgot to ask
/ 81 have a wide experience OF the
! teunesse doree of London Hardly a
/ week passed during many years OF my
life that one Of his type did not appear
before me in the dock What is he
a roue, a gambler, probably a drunk
srd?'
"Au these, I gathered from the solici
tors"
And II your mother were living
! what would she say 10 Lady Morland?"
she would pity her from the depths
OF her heart. Yes, Abingdon, YOU are
right My uncle's wife has chosen her
own path. She must follow IT,. let il
lead where II will l will write "a
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