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About The Stayton mail. (Stayton, Marion County, Or.) 1895-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 1905)
The \\Jiie ’s Secret, i OR A BI TTER RECKONING { By C H A R L O T T E M . B R A B M E Vw ?rrr£'»v C H A P T E R X V I I . — (Continued.) Th e lawyer'* lll-tlmed attempt at a Joke care Mr. Mallett the opportunity he had been longing for, and ha turned upon him almoat savagely. “ Be good enough to remember that thla la a business Interview,’’ he said, frigidly, “ and reserve your humor for a more fitting occasion.” The small, shab by creature shriveled up at once, and Mr. Mallett, with a show of surface courtesy, turned to Babette. “ And now madams, I think the rest of thla Inter view can be carried on between us two; the presence of a third person la unnec essary, as I conclude the proofs spoken o f by you are In your possession.” “ I must speak thla once; and I «won't Interrupt again,” jerked In Daws. “I am a partner In this affair— I would not haTe taken It but on that understanding — and, being a partner, I submit that you haTe no right to ahnt me out; there fore I stay." Mr. Mallett shrugged his ahonlders with an expression of utter Indifference. Babette produced an envelope and took from It the small photograph of a grave, which she had found In her mistress' desk. She drew out a small magnifying glass from her pocket and crossed the room to the dirty window. “ Come and look," she said. Mr. Mallett did as requested, and then looked at her inquiringly. “ Do you not see the name on the tomb?" she asked, impatiently, for she was so Impressed with the truth of her own belief that she was annoyed when others did not jump so readily to the same conclusion as herself. Mr. Mallett bent down again In the doubtful light that found Its way through the dus:-grimed panes, and looked care fully at the photograph. Daws and Ba bette stood by, anxiously awaiting his answer. “ I see the name ‘ Pauline’ plainly and the last letters of the second name— •l-l-l-n-g.' What then T ’ "D o you not remember that your niece's name la Pauline, and can you not see that those letters which are blot ted out by that mark must be the first two letters of your own name? I f It were not for that blot, the name would stand ‘Pauline Mailing.' Can you not understand that yon hold In your hand a photograph of your real niece’s grave, and that this woman at Malllngford Is nothing but an adventuress?” “ Great heaven!” H e stood staring, first at one, then at the other, and then. In breathless amass ment, he looked at the card In hla hand. Babette felt satisfied as to the success of her conp. "And, If that la not enough— I mean the mere name— there la the date, 'May IS----- .’ Thla woman who has been quietly accepted as the late baronet's heiress first come to light In July of the same year. It la all quite plain.” In a dazed fashion Mr. Mallett passed hla hand across his forehead. H e could £ 0 t ye( realize the position In which he stood; he could not grasp what It meant for him— comfort, position, riches, splen dor, after twenty years of comparative privation. His head was In a whirl. “ W ill you not sit? You look over come, Sir Geoffrey.” He started on hearing himself ad dressed by his proper name. Yes. that was Just what It meant to him— that he was, or would soon be. Sir Geoffrey Mal llngford, of Malllngford Park, Instead of a hard-working drawing master, doing hla dally round of Instruction at so many shillings a quarter, and thinking himself fortunate if, after settling his bills, he was able to put away a few pounds at the end of each term. H e dropped Into the chair placed for him by Babette, wondering If he should wake up to find it all a dream. He listened, without, however, gathering much of her mean- inf. to the French woman's voluble ex planation. "W e advertised for you day after day In the Times, but could get no answer; and I was In despair, when Providence aent you down to Mallingford. Mrs. Perkins saw you and recognized you as you went out, and told me who you were. How I prayed that she was not mistaken! I telegraphe.1 to Mr. Daws, and he telegraphed to you this morning. I made an absolute necessity of coming to town for some wedding finery; and so here we are!” “ And now what is to be done? And am I to go down to the park and turn this woman out with a policeman, or how do you propose to proceed?” “ She must not be Interfered with until our proofs are all prepared," replied Mr. Daws. "M y suggestion is that Ma’ m’selle Leatrange should give you the address of the man who took that photograph— which, with a rare foresight, she with held from me; that you cross over to Paris by to-night's boat, and from there make your way as quickly as you can to thla place In Spain; that, when there, you get affidavits, or whatever their Spanish equivalent may be, from eye-witnesses of your niece's death, also the certificate of ber death, and any other evidence that may crop up, and that on your return yon place said proofs In my hands; and before a month has passed you will be In possession of Msllingford, and ma’ m'selle and I will be fingering that fiva thou sand.” “ I have no money to meet the ex penses of such a Journey.” ‘ T thought of that the minute I re- calved ma'm'selle's telegram, and I raU- cd fifty pounds at a big sacrlfics thla morning. Sign this bill for seventy-five at three months, and the fifty la yours." Mr. Mallett's lip curled with contempt at the shameless extortion. "Y ou must feel very sure of this game,” he remarked, "to be so— generous, shall we call It?” Daws listened to the Innuendo with placid unconcern. “ Wall, I do feel sure of It, and I ’ll tell you why. Miss Mailing called upon me the very first day our advertisement of your address appeared, and aha was in such an awful state of fright about It that I saw In a minute she was afraid of you for some reason or other. Put ting what I observed and ma'm'selle's theory about that photo together, I con cluded that we were on the right track — that your niece Is dead— died six years ago— and this woman Is nothing but an impostor.” “ Oh. yes. It Is sure enough," Inter posed Babette. “ But let us waste no more time. 1 must get back to my fine madam«, and you. Sir Geoffrey, will have to say good-by to the charming lady, your daughter, and make arrangements for your absence. Here Is ths address of the photographer who took the pic ture. That ends the arrangements so far as I am concerned at present; the rest remains with you and Monsieur Daws; he will let me know how you go on In your search. Good afternoon!" Daws looked after her In surprise. She had not spoken a word about the need for haste If the marriage was to be prevented; he had been expecting it all through the Interview, and she had gone without once introducing the subject. Perhaps she had altered her mind; any way, that part of the business had noth ing to do with him. Once more be open ed his desk. "H ere Is the money. Sir Geoffrey, and here is the bill ready stamped to aign. You will send me an occasional tele gram, If you come across any news; and if you find another fifty necessary you can have It on the same terms. I wish you a successful search, sir, and a speedy return.” “ I shall wire If necessary, not unless; and yon may depend upon my earliest possible return.” H e put his name to the bill, took up the small roll of notes, bade the lawyer good day and left the room without see Ing his extended hand. “ As prond as Lucifer!” muttered Daws, not a bit abashed. “ Never mind, the plainer and simpler the better." Mr. Mallett reached the noisy, bustling street and looked about him for a cab; time was getting precious, if he meant to start to-night; and he would like to do so. If possible— for an Intolerable rest lessness had come to him, and he felt that he could not spend a moment In peace until he knew everything. T o his surprise, as ha looked up and down the long street, Babette glided from the shadow o f a doorway and beck oned to him. “ I want to say a dozen words to you that I do not care that llttl «man to hear,” she said, as he reached her sidt. " I have only two minutes to spare, and I was afraid you would not leave I d time. I f you find out that your niece Is dead, and that this woman Is an Im postor soon enough let me have a tele gram to that effect by Wednesday morn ing. I will not aak for my half of that five thousand pounds.” Here was another complication. “ W hy by Wednesday?" asked Mr. Mallett, In surprise. “ Because she Is going to marry Mr. Dornton at Bishopgate church at 11 o'clock on Wednesday next— all In secret, yon know— and I would not only give up the money, but the best yeare of my life to prevent It!” “ Married to Dornton on Wednesday— the very day after her birthday— at a busy city church! Greet heavens, what does It all mean?” asked Mr. Mallett, In perplexity. “ It means she Is fond of that young man and will marry him In spite of ev ery one. If you do not prevent It. I must fly for my train—do what yon can.” H e stood for a moment looking after her retreating figure, tried to make out what the news meant, then gave It up in despair and bestowed his thoughts ex clusively on the arrangements for bis ab sence. C H A I’ T E U X V I I I . Sunday at Malllngford Park. The house was full of visitors. Small attics on the top story which had never been slept In since the great doings of thirty- nine years before, when the late Sir Paul came of age, were all occupied now, for Lord Summers having express ed a wish that Mlaa Mailing's majority should be marked by fitting festivities, that lady had thrown herself heartily Into the project. It was a close, stifling day, and there was a faint, white mist on the park- lands, and an Intense stillness In the air, which proved very trying to the majority of Miss Mailing's guests after luncheon. They sauntered out of the reception rooms by twos and threes, and sought the qolst of their own apartments until the ground floor looked quite deserted. Pauline's health waa generally good; but aha, too, fait a breathless languor to-day and dstarmlned to enjoy tha after- noon In bar own rooms. 8he removed the gorgeous toilet which had gladden ed the eyee o f the rdlegere tn church that morning, end replaced It by a light cashmere gown. NNSVvVV* V v iS v “ The last Sunday that 1 shell be known to the world aa Mies Mailing," • he mused. “ Before this thus next week Jack amt I will be away from here, happy In each other's society, and In the certainty that nothing on earth can ever separate ua. Moat young womeu would have numberless love tokeus to destroy before their marriage; I hava ab A,, > M W V v V v -» V v O \ V \ V W . solutely nothing that 1 fear ray hus T h o K in d You l l u v o Always lloiig lit lin* h o m o tho »Igim - band's seeing. Circumstances have been t u r e o f Clin*. II. F le tc h e r, mid loot h o rn inudo u n d e r lilit against my cultivating lovers aa an uernonul Mupervlalou for ovor HO year*. A llow no one amusement, and 1 am spared tha farce of to deeelvo you In till*. C o u n te rio n *, I in! tut Ions und destroying the evidences of my past “ Junt-uN-good ” uru but Experim en ts, und ru d iu ig c r tho folly.” h ea lth o f Children— E x p e r ie n c e a g a in s t K xp erlinent. When aha had takan two or three turns up end down the room, she stopped in front of her desk and looked at It thoughtfully. C a s to r la I* u hartnle** niihntltute l o r CaMtor O il, I ’arew Ito rie , l>rops a n d Mnnthlng Nyrtip*. I t I* 1’ leuMHiit. I t “ I auppoeo I may ea well destroy It,” con tain* n eith e r O p iu m , M o rp h in e n o r o th e r N ureotlo •he said, absently. " I t cen do me no Niibstauee. It* afro I* it* g u aran te e. I t dontroyn W o r m * good to keep It, end It might possibly a n d allnva F everish»«***. I t e u r e * I>lnrrh<i*u am i W i n d do me harm In tha future. That must Colie. It relieve* T e e t h in g T ro u b le s , c u re * Constipation have been In my mind all the time." mill Flatulency. I t a**l nil late* tho F on d , re g u la te * tho She unlocked the small bronze box on Stomach a m i lloweln, g iv in g healthy und nntiirul sleep. fhe toilet table with a key that hung T h e C h i ld r e n ’* l ’uuaceiz—T h o M o t h e r ’* F rie n d . from a gold chain round her neck, and took from It a hunch of key*. Then drawing up a chair to the desk eh# un locked that also, and went slowly through the contents. Boars tho Signature of 8he cents upon one or two letters that Interested her slightly end drew her thoughts away from her original purpoae to aearch the desk, and It waa not until both aldea ware quite empty that aha discovered with a aud ten heart quaking fear tha absence of that for which «be waa aearch Ing. A look of wild despair flashed from her eyes and her breath came In ahort. T N I O IN T tU H O O M M N f, » » O U » « » * M W T O R I «'T V sharp g.iaps, aa she turns! to the heaps of odd» and enda which aha had already gone through, with a hope that In her absence of mind abe might have passed Cast lt ,« « ip | ia ilo a . what she sought without noticing It. Lincoln the Farm er. In the days o f the ft rat settlers In t?M Her quick, nervoua Angers turned over Matters soon reached * ctisis which the paper* until the pile had once more drove the junior partner out into tha Chickasaw country, when Davy Crock been thoroughly searched; and than Pau fields again, where he undertook all ett still frequented tin* Big Hatch)«, line Mailing nank back In her chair with sort* of tough (arm labor, from sp lit “ Old Man Glddlna" was a prosperous her hand to her head and a look of de citizen o f the Forked Deer settlement. spair In her eyes. Horrible thoughts ting rails to plow ing. As a man-of-all One day he started on a trip to Ar- work, however, Lincoln did not prove chased each other through her aching btain; and. whan 5 o'clock at last struck, altogether satisfactory to his employers. knnsaa, and thenceforth for several she had arrived at only one definite con He was too fond of mounting stumps yeura Forked Deer knew him uo more. Aa travel In Arkansas was dungnv- elusion, that the person who liad posies in the field and "p ra cticin g poleinica" •Ion of the missing article and the one on the other farm hands, and there was oua. amt aa nothing w as heard o f G ld who had advertised for the eddreae of * 1 something uncomfortable about a plow dlna, he waa officially declared dead Sir Geoffrey Mailing were one end the man who read as he followed the team, fry the court, and hia estate divided same. no matter how straight his furrows ran. among hla heirs A year or so later, hen ahe rose and relocked the deek. Snch practices were irritating, if not however, he turned up. and tried to •lie wae haggard and pale, and she look presumptuous, and there is a well get poaaeasion o f his property again. ed at herself wietfully in the glass; and known story about a farmer who found He waa promptly seize«] and taken Into an Instinctive prayer went up from her heart that her beauty might not leave " t h e hired m an " lyin g in a field be court. "W h a t do you mean by coming her until she wae Jack Dornton's wife. side the road, dreaeed in his not too Iu the midat of ell that threatened her immaculate (arm clothea, with a book round here, trying to take this proper — loss of name, wealth, posltlou— It waa instead of a pitchfork in his hand. ty ? " roared the court at him. almost touching to note how this worldly I " W h a t are you reading?" inquired "It'a my property." asserted G ld woman counted everything as nbthlog the old gentleman. dlna. "E verybody knowa It's mine.” compared with her love for Jack. " I ’ m not reading; I'm stu d yin g," “ Not at a il!" replied the Judge " I 'l l I » r d Summers waa one of the guests answered Lincoln his wonderful eyes admit your caae seems a hard one, hut at Mallingford. He waa staying "over still on the pages of his book. It can't I n * helped now Thla court ths seventeenth," and the fussy, kindly "S tu d y in g what?” has det-ldtel that you are extlnctua d * old man waa slightly concerned at the "I-a w s ir ." existing state o f affaire. He arrived only j functus, which Is Ijittn for dead. Thla The old man stared at the sf>eaker on the Saturday evening, and he waa court cannot err Dead you ara. I f for a moment in utter amassment. surprised to find Jack still at the Park. I you want any property round here you "G re a t— God— A lm ig h t y !" he mut “ And when are my pictures to be ' moat take another name ami set to tered as he passed on shaking his head. completed. Mr. Dornton?” he asked. work to earn It. Mr. Sheriff, adjourn This very question had bean a point — From Frederick Trevor H ill’ s " L i n thla court, and we will all go and •<«• coln the la w y e r " in the January Cen of disagreement between Jack and Pau that w restling match you spoke o f." line. He had wished to carry out the tury. commission for those tlx pictures, and M a r k M o re to tk r Point. Aa R a rlr H e fo rm e r. ahe had urged the unfitness of hla earn " E f yer reel Interested,” said Deacon “ I am looking," said Diogenes, “ for ing another penny by his painting after Skinner, ‘‘ I'll tell ye what 1 want fur tbeir marriage. So he hesitated a little sn honest men." "And when you find him, whet ere thet horse." before he answered. “ Oh, I wouldn't be Interested in know- “ Are you anxious to have them soon? you going to do?” “ 8-eh! I'm not going to find him ln' thet,” replied Farmer Hhrude, "but I am anticipating a winter in Home thla ye'd year, and I should like. If possible, to That would spoil the Joke.” — Washing I wouldn't mind knowin’ what take."— Philadelphia Ledger. devote myseif while there to a close ton Star. study of the old masters. But, If yon are particular aa to time, 1 will flniah your commission before 1 touch any other work, o f course.” “ No, I don’t thing I am exactly In a hurry, If you are not," and as hia lord •hip spoke he thought of the avidity with which Jack had accepted the offer when It was originally made, and hla voluntary promise to complete the aerie« No other bodily suffering is equal to that produced by the pain of Rheas by the end of the year. "S o you mean to winter In Rome?” he said, pleasant matisra. When the poisons and acids, which cause this disease, t>ecoine in ly. “ And how does Mlaa Ethel Mallett trenched in the blood there is hardly any part of the body that is not af like the prospect of so long a aepara- fected. The muscles become sore and drawn, the nerves twitch and sting, tlon?” the joints inflame and swell, the bones ache, every movement is one o| Jack reddened suddenly, and he hated agony, and the entire body is racked with pain. Rheumatism is brought on himself for it. by indigestion, stomach troubles, torpid I.iver, weak Kidneys and a general " I did not know you took enough In inactive state of the system. The refuse matter instead of passing off terest In my private affairs to be led through nature's avenues is left to sour and form uric acid, and other acrid Into Investigating them," he anawered, poisons which are absorbed into the blood. Rheumatism does not affect “ Nor do I. You are mistaken; it la all alike. In some cases it takes a About fifteen yeere ego I had a severe Mlaa Mallett’a affairs I am Interested wandering form ; it may be in the o f Rbnainatlem and could not In. I beg you will not credit me with arms or legs one day and in the attack work w ith any satisfaction. My legs prying into your personal affairs at all. were badly ollen end drawn so I shoulders, feet, hands, back or other could scarcely ew walk. I tried many rern. Aa 1 have spoken on the matter, and parts of the body the next. Others edlea but could get no relief. 1 was On. as you seem to resent the liberty— which, a lly recommended to try 8. 8. 8. end It believe me, was not Intended as such— suffer more seriously, and are never soon cured me sound end w ell. I am 74 years old end have never had I must explain how things are. I met free from pain. The uric acid and now any return o f the trouble, an old friend of mine, with his daugh bther irritating substances fi:,d lodge JO SEPH FRO M E H A W L E Y , ter, at the Exhibition of the Royal Acad ment in the muscles and joints and B ox 104. Aurora, III. emy one day last season. 1 had known as these deposits increase the mus Sometime ego I had Rheumatism end him In years past as an enthusiast In cles become stiff and the joints had to quit w ork. The pains In my beck art, and I waa delighted to meet so con locked and immovable. It matters and between my abouldere wae so In genial a companion." Lord Summers hot in what form the disease may be tense I could not rest or sleep. I tried in g but nothing did me any good paused a moment, and looked carefully the cause is always the same—a sour, t everyth ill I beard o f and took 8. 8. 8. This round the table; seeing everybody occu acid condition of the blood. This medicine cured me sound and w ell. I t purified my blood and made me feat like pied In conversation, he went on, In a vital stream has lost its purity and a new men. slightly lowered voice. "M y friend has C O N R A D LOHR, freshness, and instead of nourish- bad many reverses in life, which has ne Anderson, In d. 133 B. 19th SU in g and feeding the different parts cessitated hla taking the name of ‘Mr. Mallett,’ and have driven him to earn With health-giving properties, it fills them with the acids and salts of this a living for himself and hla family by painful and far reaching disease. T he cold and dampness of Winter always giving lessons in drawing. I see you be intensify the pains of Rheumatism, and the sufferer to get relief from the gin to understand now"— In answar to agony, rubs the affected parts with liniments, oilp, lotions, etc., or uses Jack's start o f surprise. “ Well, we went plasters and other home remedies. These are desirable because they give through the rooms together and he came temporary ease and comfort but have no effect on the real trouble which is in to a picture of yours. Mias Mallett's th ^ d o od andbeyond the reach of such treatment. S. S. S. is the best rem- delight at Its position on the line waa ^ fl^ k edy for Rheumatism, It goes into the eloquent of many things. I looked tbs blood and attacks the disease at its head, question I did not dare to aak, and Mr. and by neutralizing and driving out the Mallett told me of the engagement be acids and building up the thin, sour tween bis daughter and you, and ex k k « blood it cures the disease permanently. pressed his wish that abe should remain In the same class of society that ahe had ™ ^ ™ W hile cleansing the blood S. S. S. tones been brought up In, In answer to my P U R E L Y V E R E T A R I F UP l *ie *tomach, digestion and every suggestion that aha should come to ua , « * other part of the system, soothes the for a season out of town. Now, perhaps, excited nerves, reduces the inflammation, dissolves the deposiLs in the joinLs, yon will understand my motive In seek relieves all pain and completely cures this distressing disease. S. S. S. is a ing yon out to exenae my seemingly Im certain cure for Rheumatism in any form ; Muscular, Inflammatory, Articu pertinent curiosity.” lar or Sciatic. Special book on the disease and any medical advice, without CASTOR IA What is CASTORIA The Kind You Have Always Bought In Use For Over 3 0 Years. RHEUMATISM BODY RACKED WITH PAIN (To be continued J « Iw ,., to « 11.1,, writ«, me tw in sreeme co.. atiahta . ca .