Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

DARKE DARRELL. 179 “‘ Darrell & Son. - It will sound well;” and Mr. Beau- mont seemed to enjoy Darke’s bewilderment. “You once called me father, and with much disrepect, because so deserved,” said Mr. Darrell, senior. “I am not surprised that you do not know me, and scarcely surprised that you do not recall me. I left no pleasant memories of me with you. Iran away, leaying you and your mother to shift for yourselves. It was cowardly, but it proved my salvation. I quit drinking. I recovered my will, my nerves, my manhood. I regained my standing in society; I prospered; I made money; I saved it; I have returned to regain something more that I had lost—the love of my wife and the esteem of my son.” | He bent his head, his voice shaking with emotion. Darke remembered his voice, his features. He seemed, indeed, like anotherman. Hisstory was tersely and frankly told. Darke was strangely stirred. ‘“‘T esteem you already,” he said, grasping his father’s hand. ‘‘ But mother? She knows nothing of this?” ‘‘ Nothing.” And John Darrell lifted his face. ‘‘ It will be as much a surprise to her. Ah! I am afraid she will not receive me as kindly as you have.” | ‘She believes you dead,” Darke said. ‘‘ You never wrote to her. ‘I'hat was for the best, maybe.” Tt should make some difference whether I come back a drunkard still, to sponge on her, to worry, disgrace——” «‘Tt makes all the difference in the world,” interrupted Darke, earnestly. ‘<I know she will receive you graciously. But you must not come.upon her too suddenly.” ‘*T will leave you to prepare the way,” Mr. Darrell said. ‘¢ She is well?” «¢ And happy.” pie! HOF much she is indebted to you. Darke, I am very proud of you.” m GEomicbooks:.¢o