A Wonderful Secret, or Marion Marlowe's Discovery — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

14 son, the papers to be drawn up and signed immediately.” Matt Jenkins sprang to his feet with a growl of rage, while the apopletic old judge actually turned pale for a minute. I want your answer, your honor, the chief magistrate of Hickorytown,” went on the lawyer, sarcastically, “and I can assure you that the cash is ready and waiting; you have only to say ‘yes’ and Miss Marlowe will -hand you the money.” Another silence followed, and then Matt Jenkins made a bolt for the door, leaving the “biggest man in Hickorytown” to face the situation by himself. He had had enough of dickering with Marion Marlowe. The judge made one more effort to up- hold his dignity, but his voice trembled with fear all the time he was speaking, “Them figgers iz tew small fer a feller of Bert Jackson’s ability. It would be er differ- ent thing ef he wuz weak an’ puny, but his Sarvices' air wuth five hundred tew ther county, ef they be wuth er penny, an’ it’s my opinion thet, ef I wuz ez rich ez Marion Marlowe, I wouldn’t be so niggardly as ter balk at five hundred.” “In other words, you wish Miss Marlowe to bribe you, do you?” asked the lawyer, scornfully, “Well, see here, you bloated old ignoramus, just let me tell you what would happen if she were to offer you five hun- dred dollars and you were hog enough to take it. Why, I'd arrest you for extortion and make a public example of you. You can thank your stars that you are getting off so easy! You deserve to be kicked out of the place, you miserable old traitor, and, see here, [ want you to produce those papers of Bert Jackson's; I'll give you exactly two hours! Do you understand, you old sinner!” He was standing exactly in front of the old judge as he spoke and looking down at him in a way that forbade the culprit to tarry. [t was the first time in his judicial career that Judge Walters had ever been made to feel so small, but upon this occasion he was glad to escape with a whole skin. As he waddled out through the side door he did not even look back over his shoulder. A ripple of Marion’s sweet laughter rang MY QUEEN. in his ears as the door closed behind him, but it was quickly hushed as the young girl caught a glimpse of Mr. Hobart’s face. ~ the story of his interest in Bert Jackson. CHAPTER VIII. THE STORY. b “It is exactly as I thought. There is some secret between them!” were the gentle- man’s first words, as he seated himself by Marion upon the old-fashioned sofa. “They are a precious pair of rascals in their own pe- culiar way, but I have something to tell you now, and we will get around to them later.” Deacon Marlowe seated himself on the corner of the pine table and began chewing a A moment later they were all listening to straw vigorously, while his wife became so interested in what was coming-that she for- got to twist her apron and stood in the door- way with her hands upon her hips, looking from one to the other in utter bewilderment. _ Alma Allyn moved her chair a little nearer and leaned slightly forward, while Marion clasped her hands and looked fixedly at the speaker, Anything that concerned Bert touched the very chords of her heart, for she loved the boy as dearly as though he had been-her brother. : “It won't take long to tell my tale,” began the lawyer, smiling, “and, when it is_all told, it may be but a mere coincidence; yet I can- not believe I would. be so affected, if it was. I feel certain there is some way of account- ing for my interest in young Jackson.” He glanced at Marion as he spoke, and then hesitated a minute. He was undecided whether or not to ask her a question. “No, I will not! Il talk first and ask questions later,”’ he. went on, abruptly. “Al- though [ am so eager to know what you know of Bert Jackson’s foster-father that I can hardly restrain my impatience. Twenty- eight years ago I had a brother whose name was Dunlap. We were poor boys and had lost both our father and mother. We lived with an uncle upon a farm in Pennsylvania, and, when I[ was fifteen, I ran away and went into the navy. Dunlap was seventeen when I saw him last. When. 1 came Pack to this. 4 aids