A Wonderful Secret, or Marion Marlowe's Discovery — page 24: what you’re looking at

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which leads me to believe that he has not found him.” “Here he comes! Here comes the cor- ~ oner!’? shouted one of the boys. “Now we'll know for sure how Matt died! Ten to one _ Matt’ll come tew life in time to lick us afore supper!” - Old Dr. Greening was purple with over- exertion when he reached the group, and his voice trembled as he spoke from sheer in- dignation. — } _ “Thet’s ther fust an’ ther last time I'll ever lend my chaise tew Perkins!” he began, sav- agely. “He borrowed it fer an hour an’ taint back yet, but whar’s Matt Jenkins’s remains. Let me git er look at ’em!” _ The group; which included half of Hick- -orytown now, described a wider circle about the moss-grown well curb, and Dr. Green- ’ ing prepared to “view” the body. _ “Here’s Toby, at last,” said Lawyer Ho- bart in Marion’s ear. ‘“Here’s the postmas- _ ter, Miss Marlowe. Now, perhaps, we will hear something definite.” He took the young girl’s arm and led her away, as much to take her from the scene about the well curb as for anything else. _ “Oh, we must learn something! I shall 7 go mad if we don’t! Just think, Mr. Ho- bart, if Bert were really in those ruins! Oh, I should die, I am sure, and so would his sweetheart!” _ Mr. Hobart glanced at her, inquiringly, _ but there was no time to explain, for, at _ that moment, they were accosted by the ex- cited postmaster. _ “It’s ther strangest thing that ever hap- _ pened in Hickorytown!” he called out, _ shrilly. “Ther constable never come tew ther farm, at all! He couldn’t, fer he wuz seen at half-past four a drivin’ like mad from ther Hayville station along ther Turnersville _ turnpike, and thar ain’t no one seen hide _ nor hair of him sence, nor the hoss an’ _ chaise, neither!” ‘ Marion’s heart gave a great bound as she heard the words. Bert’s cleverness had outwitted the Hick- _ orytown officials. The next second her emo- _ tions overcame her, and she burst out laugh- “8 ing. CHAPTER XII. THE PAPERS. _ _ That evening after the excitement of the fire was beginning to pass away, a little _ group of anxious people assembled in Dea- con Marlowe’s sitting-room. They were all | Satisfied now that Bert was alive, and Marion MY QUEEN. 21 was feeling sure that she would very soon hear from him. “He probably bribed the constable to take him to the railroad station, instead of the poor farm,” she said, with a merry light in her eyes, “and, as soon as he gets to New York, he’ll send a telegram.” “Which ought to come about ten o’clock,” said Alma, glancing at the clock. “It 1s eight thirty now; only an hour and a half longer.” “And in that hour and a half we will look over those papers,” said the lawyer, softly; “for, I confess, I am so anxious to see them that I can hardly wait. I must know the reason ‘for this unaccountable likeness be- tween Bert Jackson and my brother, Dun- lap.” “Vou think there is no doubt about Bert’s foster-father being your brother?’ asked Miss Allyn, eagerly. — The lawyer looked thoughtful, but he re- plied at once: “Tt seems hardly probable that there is another Dunlap Hobart, and, if he was adopted, and took the name of Canfield, that would readily explain why I never heard of him. Of course, I never expected to look for my brother among the rich and mighty of the land, and you say he is a millionaire and a railroad president.” “Yes, and a fine, noble gentleman as well!’ said Marion, quickly. “Oh, Mr. Ho- bart, he is the loveliest father in the world, and he simply adores Bert. You ought to see them together.” The frown darkened a little upon the law- yer’s brow. : “J can’t understand it! There is some mystery behind it,’ he said, slowly. “Of course, you have not noticed the similarity in their looks, Miss Marlowe.” He glanced at her eagerly, but Marion re- plied with a merry laugh: _ “TI did not have the pleasure of know- ing your brother at the age of seventeen, Mr. Hobart, but I can assure you that Bert and his foster-father do not look alike now, for Captain Hobart Canfield is very gray and wears a full beard and mustache. He is very handsome, but he does not look like Bert, although, of course, it is his age that may make the difference.” As Marion was talking she drew from her pocket the papers that she had taken from Matt Jenkins’ desk, and spread them upon the table, while the mother brought a lamp and carefully shaded it. wa don't know that I had any right to take them, she said, in a low voice, “but I am glad I did, for they would have been burned GomiilGeaooks (C©@) =