MRS. MONTAGUE’S ANNUITY.

Mona, too, regarded the lawyers with some anxiety, for she felt extremely sensitive about having her father’s troubles and past life become the subject of a public scandal.

Ray noticed it, and telegraphed her a gleam of hope from his tender eyes.

The proposition which he had made to the lawyers upon leaving the room was in accordance with his father’s request.

Mr. Palmer had begged that all proceedings in the case of the robbery might be quashed.

“I would rather lose three times the amount that woman stole from us than to have all New York know the wretched truth,” he said to Ray, after calling him from the drawing-room.  “To have it known that she robbed us and then tried to fortify herself by a marriage with me!  I could not bear it.  I have made a fool of myself, Ray,” he went on, with pitiable humility, “but I don’t want everybody discussing the mortifying details of the affair.  If you can prevail upon the lawyers to settle everything quietly, do so, and, of course, Rider being a private detective, and in our pay, will do as we say, and, my boy, you and I will ignore the subject, after this, for all time.”

Ray grasped his father’s hand in heartfelt sympathy as he replied: 

“We will manage to hush the matter, never fear.  I am very sure that Mona will also desire to do so, and though I should be glad to have that woman reap the full reward of her wickedness I can forego that satisfaction for the sake of saving her feelings and yours.”

Then, as we know, he returned to the drawing-room where Mona called to him to come and plead for the same thing.

The lawyers were both willing, for Mona’s sake, to refrain from active proceedings against Mrs. Montague if she would resign all Mr. Dinsmore’s property; but Mr. Rider objected very emphatically to this plan.

“It has been a tough case,” he said, somewhat obstinately, “and it is no more than fair that a man should have the glory of working it up.  Money isn’t everything to a person in such business—­reputation is worth considerable.”

They had quite a spirited argument with him; but he yielded the point at last, provided Mr. Cutler would consent, although not with a very good grace, and then they all went back to Mona and her unhappy companion.

But Mrs. Montague put a grave front upon her critical situation.

“Well, and have you decided the fate of your prisoner?” she inquired of Mr. Rider, with haughty audacity, although her face was as white as her handkerchief as she put the question.

“Well, madame,” he retorted, with scant ceremony, “if it had been left with me to settle there would have been no discussion with you—­you would be in the Tombs.”

“Well?” she asked, impatiently, seeing there was more to be said about the matter, and turning to Mr. Corbin.

“We have decided, Mrs. Montague, that in the first place, you are to relinquish everything which you inherited from Mr. Dinsmore at the time of his death.”