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Updated: June 26, 2025
Barton," returned Willis Ford, with unwonted politeness; "but I came principally to see you." "Who be you?" inquired Mrs. Barton, unceremoniously; "I don't know you no more'n the dead." "There is a slight connection between us, however. I am the stepson of Pauline Estabrook, of New York, who is a cousin of yours." "You don't say Pauline is your mother?" ejaculated the lady of the house.
"That is not true, Mr. Reynolds," exclaimed Grant, indignantly. "How did you know the bonds were offered for sale at my office to-day, Mrs. Estabrook?" inquired the broker. "My son Willis Ford told me." "When did you see him?" "Just now." "Is he in the house?" "Yes, sir. I left him in my room." "Ask him to be kind enough to accompany you here." The housekeeper left the room.
"Wait a minute, till I tell you all I know. The boy said the bonds were handed to him by an acquaintance." "It was a falsehood." "Do you know the number of your bonds, mother?" "Yes, I have them noted down, somewhere." "Good! I took the number of those the boy gave me for sale." Mrs. Estabrook found the memorandum.
In truth, Willis Ford hardly knew where to turn. He had saved no money, and was earning nothing. In his dilemma he turned to his stepmother. One forenoon, after he knew the broker and Grant would be out of the way, he rang the bell, and inquired for the housekeeper. Mrs. Estabrook was agitated when she saw her step-son.
They live apart, believing themselves rarities; the world is content to let them do it, because theirs is a segregation of stupidity. And Estabrook, though he had fine qualities, belonged to them.
"He's a little hard on us, Tom," said Morrison, as they went down the front steps, "but he's treated us like a gentleman. That Ford is a rascal." "I think so, too," Tom assented. "And I shall never see a cent of that six hundred dollars," continued Jim Morrison, ruefully. "If you'll excuse me, I'll go to my own room," said Mrs. Estabrook, pertly. "I want to think quietly of all this."
Such was the message Julianna had sent her husband. I read it and, without speaking, I arose and touched Estabrook on his shoulder. "Doctor," said he pathetically. "Come," said I. We went up to her door. It was not locked; it opened. She was there.
In any case, it's your duty to go to your house. Force an entrance if necessary. It cannot be done too soon!" Estabrook clenched his hands as he heard me, but after a moment he began to shake his head doggedly. "Can't you see that it would mean publicity?" he asked. "Better than losing her," I argued, feeling certain that he would yield.
Likely enough the man is a thief, and that boy is his accomplice." "You will oblige me by not jumping at conclusions, Mrs. Estabrook," said Mr. Reynolds. "Whoever has taken the bonds is likely to be discovered. Meanwhile your loss will, at all events, be partially made up, since Grant has the money realized from the sale of the greater part of them."
"I did write, asking him to send me money to come home. Abner was going with me. But no answer came to my letter." "That is strange. Your father can't have received the letter." "So I think, Miss Stone; but I directed it all right." "Do you think any one would intercept it?" "Mrs. Estabrook might," said Herbert, after a pause for consideration. "Who is she?" "The housekeeper."
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