The Dugdale Millions — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

THE RED. SHAWL, 7 125 in the flesh, the blonde woman with the red shawl of her dreams, and he laughed aloud. By the time Mr. Stanton reached him, perplexed and puzzled over the eccentric desertion of his wife, Mrs. Stanton, hot, panting, and flurried, was returning over the lawn, for the carriage had eluded her and passed out upon the highway before she could reach the turn where she had hoped to intercept it. ‘“What is all this?’’ asked the wondering lawyer. ‘‘T’ve been making somewhat free with your be- longings,’’ answered Dick, smiling. ‘*‘That was the first result from the inquiry after James Powers. The woman was compelled to return by the six o’clock train, and there was no way of getting her there in time but by sending the carriage.”’ ‘‘Oh, that was proper,’’ said Mr. Stanton. ‘‘But what does she bring?’’ Before Dick could reply Mrs. Stanton came up heated and indignant. Pr knew it!" 1 knew it;’; she cried; “IT knew if [ waited she’d appear. I’m the most miserable of women! It is shameful! Right here in my own house, too! What is the meaning of this?’’ “If you will keep quiet long enough you'll know,’’ said Mr. Stanton, much annoyed. ‘‘Mason is about to tell.”’ Dick could preserve control of his gravity only by great effort when he saw Mrs. Stanton’s expression, in which were blended indignation, incredulity, and curi- osity. Mastering his overpowering desire to laugh, he related what had passed between Mrs. Jenkins and himself, expressing the hope that an examination of the box would reveal what they so earnestly sought. Nothing could exceed the fine scorn with which Mrs. Stanton regarded Dick as he finished the tale. ‘“And you expect me to believe that foolish story?’’ she exclaimed, ‘‘I am foiled again, You are too Comiclbookks 3}