A Wonderful Secret, or Marion Marlowe's Discovery — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

it I hadn’t, and, anyway, I could not help it when I saw Bert’s name on them.” “Yew hed every right in ther world,” said her father, quickly. “Yew knew they wuz safer with yew than they wuz with Jedge Walters, an’ he’s ther one thet ’ud hev got em ef you’d put ’em in thet air safe.” “I just wish I had all of the papers that are in that safe,’’ cried Marion, hotly. “I haven’t a doubt that it contains a lot of secrets, that would reflect discredit both upon Matt Jenkins and the county.” “Things iz run purty lax,” said Deacon Marlowe, shaking his head. “Ther jedge an’ Matt hey hed things purty much their own way, but ’twouldn’t dew fer me tew interfere in their doin’s. I'd be given tew understan’ I was meddlin’, purty quick, I kin tell yew.” “Well, I shall not be afraid to meddle, I can tell you!” cried Marion, sharply. “If I find that they have wronged Bert, I'll do more than meddle! I'll stay right here in Hickorytown, if it is necessary, until I pun- ish them for it.”’ “Poor Miss Ellis! would feel if she were here,” said Miss Allyn, suddenly. “Miss Ellis is Bert’s sweetheart, and she is a dear little girl! She would have gone raving crazy over that scene at the poor farm, when we were not sure whether Bert was dead or living!” “But air yew sure now?” spoke up Mrs. Marlowe, nervously. “Yew ain’t heerd noth- in’ definite ‘cept thet ther constable wuz missin’.”’ ‘An’ he’s missin’ yet, Mrs. Marler,” called a loud voice, suddenly. Bill Bennett had opened the kitchen door and come in just in time to answer. Marion sprang from the table where she had been seated beside the lawyer, and looked at the newcomer with her eyes full of questions. “We've found ther hoss an’ chaise clear out on ther turnpike,” went on Bill, excited- ly, “Ther constable hed headed it this way an’ then left it tew its fate. I reck’n he knew old Joe would make straight fer his stable, but gee, ain’t ther doctor mad! He'd jaw like er good un ef he could see ther con- stable!” . “Do you mean that Mr. Perkins has gone?” asked Marion, excitedly, “Lit out fer fair, an’ no mistake! What else would make him quit ther chaise, ef he hadn’t?” was the answer. } Ras “Then IT am sure Bert bribed him,” said Marion, almost laughing. “Poor boy, he dreaded to go back to the poor farm, even for a few hours, and I can’t say that I blame ‘9 him, can you, Mr. Hobart? “Tndeed T cannot.” was the lawyers some- Just think how she: MY QUEEN. what absent-minded answer. He was still sitting at the table with his eyes almost glued to the batch of papers. “Come out in ther kitchen cider, Bill,” said Deacon “Yew kin tell me what kin tell it tew Marion. Hobart, wants ter inspect They went out into the kitchen, and Mrs. Marlowe followed, while Marion went back and seated herself at the table near Miss Allyn, who occupied the low rush rocker. A moment later a low cry of horror from Mr. Hobart startled them, and, at the same an’ git some Marlowe, suddenly. yew've heerd an’ [ Ther lawyer, Mr. them air papers.” time, he pushed a paper across the table to- Marion. “Quick! Read it, Miss Marlowe!” he cried, as he sprang to his feet and began pacing the floor, excitedly. “There is a letter written by Bert’s mother on her dying bed! Those two unprincipled rascals did not dare to de- stroy it!’ | : Marion read the paper as rapidly as she could, but her hands trembled so violently that she could hardly hold it. It was only a brief scrawl, that was almost illegible, but the tears poured over Marion’s cheeks before she had half perused it. When she finally laid it down, Alma Allyn was gazing at her with eager eyes, but the lawyer was still pacing the room, his brow black with fury. | “Oh, Alma! Oh, Mr. Hobart! Isn’t it awful!’ Marion gasped in agony. “Bert is Dunlap Hobart’s legitimate son, but his poor mother died without being able to tell her story, and, for some reason or other, Judge Walters and Matt Jenkins concealed it!” “And that reason was money!” cried Law- yer Hobart, suddenly. “My brother’s wife had money and jewels in her possession when she came here and boarded under the name of Mrs. Jackson. Because she died without speaking they improved their oppor- tunity!’ Oh, I can see the whole thing! It is as plain as day! The only mystery is— why did she leave my brother, and why did she hide under another name when she must have known that her child would be the suf- ferer?” , | = There was another reason why the judge and Matt Jenkins had not destroved the letter. They hoped that they might find Bert's real father and offer to find his son for him for money. There was a loud rap upon the door just at that moment, and the next second Marion was feverishly opening a telegram. “Tt’s from Bert! He is safe and with his — father! Oh, I can bear anything, now that this suspense is over!” . EOMIE com IOOKS -