A Wonderful Secret, or Marion Marlowe's Discovery — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

=r ers untry after a ten years’ service in foreign F _ waters, T could not find so much as a trace of my brother. It seems he, too, ran away ~ fro the farm. My uncle was dead and no ‘one knew anything of him. Eighteen years tbe by, and I have traveled, traveled, traveled. Studied law in ’Frisco, practiced jn Mexico, tried my hand at mining, ranch- _ ing, and even the Klondike, and, yesterday, on that train between New York and Bos- ton, when I confronted Bert Jackson I thought for a second that he was my brother. e is the living image of Dunlap as he was when I last saw him.” The words were spoken softly, but with - intense emotion, and a little cry from Mar- ion followed the announcement. “And then I told you that Bert’s fosters father was Dunlap Hobart and that he had | received the name of Canfield through adop- 4 ion,” she said, sharply. “Oh, there must be | As you ~ some reason for it all, Mr. Hobart! said just now, this is more than a coinci- _ dence a - “Captain Hobart Canfield, as he is most _ frequently called, must be your brother,” said Miss Allyn, decidedly, “but the reat of the problem is enveloped in mystery.” - “Unless Captain Canfield can solve it,” ~ swered Marion, quickly. “Oh, if he cla only come at once, but he is so very busy! ~ JI am almost of a mind to send another tele- gram!” “Wait until Bert is out,’ warned Miss _ Allyn. “That is the first thing to do, is it not, Mr. Hobart ?” The lawyer sprang to his feet and picked up his hat. “It is, indeed, and I am wasting time,” he said, quickly. “I must see the County Clerk and some of the Selectmen or wHoever looks after affairs in this village. My brother was only a boy when I saw him last, but there is _ something in this story that has made my _ blood run cold. Mark my words, I shall sift this matter to the bottom!” «= “And I will do all I can to help,” said _ Marion, rising. “My money is at Bert’s dis- _ posal, although I know he does not need it, and I'll set my wits to work and see what I can find out. As Bett said to-day, this must P 7s o : MY QUEEN. 15 be the beginning of the end of Matt Jen- kins.” “I will report as soon as I have learfied anything,” was the lawyer’s answer ; then, for just a moment, he glanced admiringly at Marion, “With such a friend as you, Miss Marlowe, Bert is sure to come out all right, and, with ‘such an ally, the poorest* lawyer should suc- ceed. JI depend upon your aid in winning this victory.” His glance was so tender as he spoke that Marion flushed with modesty, but his words rang with earnestness and tender emotion. A thrill of pleasure flashed through every fibre of the young girl’s being. She was glad to be admired by a.man like Lawyer Hobart. ~ The deacon discreetly turned his back and was looking out of the window, while Mrs. Marlowe had disappeared from the doorway -and was bustling about the kitchen. “I’m going to help your mother get tea,” said Miss Allyn, promptly, “for I’m as hun- gry as a bear, in spite of all this worry.” She darted out into the kitchen also, and Marion looked shyly at the lawyer. “You will stay and have some tea, will you not, Mr. Hobart?) There is no hotel or public house in Hickorytown. I must insist upon your remaining. Tell him he must stay, father!” She turned her glorious eyes toward thes ~ old deacon, who answered, cordially: “Waal, now, I reck’n he aint got ther heart ter refuse yew, Marion, ’thout my askin’ him, but he’s welcome as ther sun on er medder of hay. We'll figger it an honor ef he'll stay ter supper.” Lawyer Hobart glanced at his watch and hesitated just a minute and, in that minute, the deacon vanished. “Do stay,” murmured Marion, with a tender smile. ‘This affair is distressing you, I can see it, Mr. Hobart. Do please con- sider us your friends and make our home your home while you stay to help us.”’ There was a pleading note in her voice that the lawyer could not resist and, acting upon a momentary impulse, he placed one ehand lightly upon her shoulder. “Will you be my friend, Marion Mar- COMIC DOOKS .COHM