The Dugdale Millions — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

148 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. As she said this she turned her eyes upon Dick and dropped them quickly, a shght blush mantling her eneeks, “It would seem from all we have heard to-day that he has been found,’’ returned her father. “‘T thought this solemn conclave argued as much,”’ returned Bessie. ‘‘I wagered a pair of gloves with Lord Merrimount this morning that Mr. Mason’’— she faltered a brief instant over the name—‘‘would find the young man. I’ve won. Well, it is proper. Alive, the estate belonged to him. And for myself, I feel a great relief that I am not to be burdened by so much gold. Of course I know that I ought to rave, and tear my hair, and gnash my teeth in rage and disappointment in order to justify the belief of some people that, with the prospect of so great a for- tune, of necessity I must have become sordid and avaricious, put cam &~ Ihe reliet is too great, - She could not deny herself this little feminine stab at Dick, who did not fail to appreciate it, though her father was aghast at the high spirits she manifested over the loss of a fortune, and the sincerity, clearly evident, of her self-congratulation over the escape from it. With the assumption of increased dignity, he replied: ‘You go very fast, my daughter. The matter 1s not determined. While I think the chances are largely that young Dugdale has been discovered, the fact is not established.’’ ‘Then he added with some sarcasm: ‘*You may yet be burdened with the wealth. I would not rejoice too soon. I felt it my duty, how- ever, to inform you as to the condition of affairs, im- mediately that I was made aware of it.”’ Feeling that she was rebuked, Bessie did not reply, and Dick, to prevent embarrassment, made a move- ment toward the door, saying as he did so that he would go to write the letter Mr. Hetlow desired him to send to young Pierson. Comicloeo S C@ 3