The Dugdale Millions — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

46 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. of importance, as he settled himself more comfortably in his chair. "I knew him m Lunnon and New York—when he was rich and gay in Lunnon, and poor and miserable in New York. I will tell all I know. Iam a poor man and will leave it to your gen- erosity to say what value my information is to you.’’ Dick assured him that he would be paid in propor- tion to the value of his communication, and that in any event, he would be remunerated for his trouble in call- ing. The old man settled himself for a long tale—and long it was, filled largely with personal reminiscences. The facts however were few. The old man’s name was Edward Barber. He had been ballet-master at the Drury Lane Theater in Lon- don, where he was professionally known as Signor Barberini. In the corps over which he presided was Loie Weller, whom Edmund Dugdale had married. Signor Barberini had afterward come to New York in connection with the Italian Opera. And here he had again renewed acquaintance with Dugdale, through the latter’s wife, who had applied to him for a place in the ballet, since her wages were necessary for the support of herself and husband. After Barber had been taken sick, stricken with paralysis, Mrs. Dugdale had been very kind to him. When he recovered he went to another city and, returning after a year’s ab- sence, found Mrs. Dugdale dead, and Edmund strug- gling as best he could with his child, morose and despairing, refusing to apply to his father for assist- ance. Barber had helped him then, and again had left the city for a long period, and when he returned Dugdale was dead. He supposed the child had been adopted by someone, since Edmund had talked a great deal about finding a good home for it and then putting an end to himself. ‘*Did you know the name of the person with whom he lodged?’’ asked Dick, when the old man had con- cluded the long and rambling tale. Comicloo® S C@ 3}