The Dugdale Millions — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

26 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. that some demented creature had escaped her keeper. ‘‘T am sure, madam,”’ he replied, in a tone intended to soothe her, ‘‘I do not understand you.”’ ‘Is she anything to you? Sister? Or wife?’’ she persisted. ‘‘Madam, you will certainly have to be plainer with me before I can understand you.”’ ‘‘I know you have come tosee Mr. Stanton about a woman. It is true. I have testedit and Iknow. Per- haps you and I can settle the trouble.’’ ‘You are wholly mistaken,’’ said the wondering Dick, thinking that Mr. Stanton was either a very improper person or else a very much younger man than he had supposed him to be. ‘“‘I came to make Inquiries as toa young man who, I suppose, was in the employ of Mr. Stanton twenty-five years ago. My name is Mason, and I am in the employ of your neighbor Mr. Hetlow.’’ ‘‘Oh, indeed!’’ she cried, her manner changing Instantly. ‘‘Are you that Mr. Mason? I’ve heard Wallis speak of you. Neverthless I know it will come. I look for it every day. It is terrible, this dread and suspense.”’ Before Dick could ask what was terrible, a heavy footfall was heard in the hall. Mrs. Stanton went to the door and said to someone outside: “There is a gentleman to see you, pa.’’ She returned to her seat, followed by a man cer- tainly not less than sixty, spare in frame, and severe in expression, whose whole appearance suggested rigidity, principles, and rules. One less likely to be an object of jealousy upon the part of his wife, Dick could not possibly itmagine, and therefore he concluded that Mrs. Stanton was slightly deranged. Dick was treated politely, and he plunged into his business at once. Comicloeo S C@ 3}