Part 42 (1/2)
”Have a little more patience, and as a last resort we will advertise.
I have reason for wis.h.i.+ng to keep the affair quiet for the present; for I have some very peculiar suspicions, and I may be incorrect, but I think we shall find out presently how the matter stands. I have just had an interview with my former valet, who thinks he can help me out.”
”What, that boy?”
”Yes.”
”I cannot see what a boy can do.”
”That boy is a great calculator, and he is as faithful as Noah's dove.”
”He shall be repaid if he accomplishes anything at all.”
”He needs it. The boy is ambitious and works very hard.”
”Well,” said Le Moyne, ”I have decided to search as long as there is the least shadow of a hope. There is a mystery about it that must be cleared up.”
”I have an idea that Paul has some good ground on which to base his hopes of success, for the boy is never over-sanguine, and he must have at least some foundation.”
”I really hope he has,” said Le Moyne.
It was a whole year since Paul had left Scott, and he had seen him but twice during that time. He did not know where he was at present, but he believed he would return if he lived.
June entered his room. She was still June Wilmer. Guy had urged her to take the name of Horton, but she told him in a decided way that she was not quite ready, and he was obliged to content himself with a promise. The fact was that June was testing his loyalty, but he would wait a lifetime for her, he said, rather than to marry another.
Guy was conversing with June on this very afternoon that Mr. Le Moyne had been consulting Scott. A servant had called June to come to the kitchen and have her fortune told by an old gypsy woman who was selling bead work. June went down asking Guy and Scott to follow her.
Sitting down, they looked at the old dame who was handling her bead work, but did not raise her head, when they entered.
”I think I have seen you before,” Scott said.
She shook her head.
”You are going to tell my fortune,” he said; ”tell me, then, if I shall ever be wealthy.”
”You are more wealthy now than you need to be. Oh, you need not question me, I can tell you all.”
”Very well, go on.”
”Your mother is living, but your father is dead.”
”Very true.”
”You have been married.”
June started.
”You married a beautiful woman, but she is gone.”
”Dead?” Scott asked.