Evening star., 1919-04-20
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The Stuff in Mary Regan.

'O'N ASote ASoPcT StiouSCly dl 0AOt-
toms announcement, us perhaps hearts
should not at words of death. Then Mr..
Morton spoke once more, still in the low,
controlled voice, his words and steady
eyes directed at Mary.
II shall arrange to take Jack to Chi
cago. Since YOU are his widow, Of
course you will come along" And then
the emotionless voice Of this hand -driv-
ing man of great affairs, broke with
emotion. And, Mary. I want you to
come because you are my daughter-in-
law l know now you did all a woman
could for Jack; have come to respect
you for what you are. You are all
have-I need YOU, Mary. l hardly need
tell you-since it may make little differ
ence to you, you are SO strange-but all
I have will go to you, and your life is to
be the life Of my daughter"
Mary stood staring at him. loose-lip.
ped, and did not speak. Clifford watch
ed her, dazed by this last turn Of cir
cumstances He saw the realities and
prospects that Morton's words had given
her. She now possessed, open and
aboveboard, all that she had ever
dreamed to gain by trickery-yes, and
more! And she had 1t all unham
pered! All these months he had tried
to make Life test her-and Life had
responded by, in the end giving her
everything!
Sun Mary did not speak. Mr.. Nor
ton went on. a note of urging, of re-
assurance, in his subdued voice:
And. Mary-whateve ] may have
said in the past-you have nothing
to fear from me. You are my
daughter, and you have my respect.
And you have nothing to fear from
any one else. since 1 know every
thing. There's an afternoon
train out of here; we'll be taking
that, Mary"
And then Mary spoke. Her voice
was low. but its tone was steady.
Il shall be willing-and glad-to
do all l can to help. But l cannot
go with you as your daughter"
"What?" cried Mr.. Morton. And
then: II don't understand"
The low voice went on:
Il married Jack solely to make
money and gain position. Even
before last night / had decided never
to take them. And now. after what
has happened, even more can l never
take them. Believe me. 1 mean no
offense to you, but l cannot be your
daughter-in- law"
"What?" repeated Mr.. Morton.
Clifford gazed at her, stupefed.
while Jack lived my marriage to
him was a secret" the low voice
went on. Now that he is dead,
prefer to have 1t continue to remain
unknown, II that can be managed.
1 think 1t can. II the few who
know are made to believe that I am
trying to force myself upon you. they
will keep silent out OF pure malice
toward me. That Is, l want 1t to
remain unknown, unless Mr.. Clifford
needs my testimony to convict in his
cases."
Il don't think that will be neces-
sary," said clifford. "Loveman's case
is closed. AS for Bradley. Lieut..
Kelly found that Mordona necklace
on him. and Hilton, seeing that the
game is over. has just turned states
evidence and confessed that he and
DTduicy StOIe IL. Inat SuOulO De SUI
fcient to take care of Bradley"
Mary turned again to Mr.. Morton.
Then ! prefer to have 1t all remain
as 1t has been-unknown. l do not
want even the profit out Of this of
having Jacks name"
Then came quick set to the jaw
Of this man long accustomed to hav-
ing his own way. But can public
ly proclaim you to be my daughter."
But you will not" she returned
quietly. since l ask you not to-
The set look continued for a mo-
ment. Then ii relaxed.
All right-just as you say" He
drew an envelope from an inner pock-
fet. But II you will not accept my
fortune, you cannot escape Jacks,
for 1t is this moment automatically
and legally yours" From the envelope
1T was the one Loveman had addressed
In the car-he drew out three slips OF
paper and handed them to her. There
1t is-three checks totaling one hun
dred and eighty thousand dollars. And
you do not need to reveal yourself as
Jacks widow to get the money, since
the checks are made out to Cash All
you need to do Is to deposit them"