The Dugdale Millions — page 258: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

248 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. ‘J think Mr. Mason regrets very much his efforts in discovering the Dugdale heir. You know he is in love with Bessie and doubtless has received assurances from her that his love is returned, and that being the case, he is now regretting that the large amount of money which would fall to her, 1f the real heir was not found, is in danger of going elsewhere.’’ ‘‘Oh, nonsense,’’ returned Mr, Stanton contemptu- ously, ““young Mason is a very straightforward, well- meaning young man. I think it very probable that I am wholly responsible for Mason’s condition of mind with reference to these suspicions of his.”’ “T have no doubt of that,’’ replied Mrs. Stanton. **That has been my belief from the beginning.”’ Mr. Stanton, who had turned to go into the library, wheeled about and said sharply: ‘‘Now, what do you mean by that? You certainly don’t understand what I intended to say. Sometime ago I told Mason that in view of the fact that he was a suitor for the hand of Bessie, and that believing as he had said that the inheritance of such an estate would lift her into a rank of life beyond his preten- sions he would be in danger of being charged with presenting a Dugdale heir whether the true one was found or not. Since that time I have noticed a mor- bid sensitiveness on his part, and a determined per- sistency in urging that Harold Pierson’s claim should be most rigidly examined. He is quite right in this, for the search has been wholly under his charge and he is responsible for having presented Harold Pierson to the attention of Mr. Hetlow. That is all I mean, and I have no further connection with it than that, so don’t give me another exhibition of your silliness.’’ With that he turned into the library, leaving Mrs. Stanton alone. While these events were taking place at Springhill, Dick was in Philadelphia bent on his interview with Mrs, Jenkins. Having her address he found her 3 Comicbooks.€©