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first importance that he should not come into this neighborhood。 His
appearance here； I speak advisedly； would be disastrous to him。 In urging
him to remain in New York； or to go to some inland resort； you will be
doing him and me a real service。 Of course you will not mention my name
in this connection。 You know me well enough； my dear doctor； to be
assured that； in begging your secret cooperation； I have reasons that will
meet your entire approval when they are made plain to you。 We shall
return to town on the 15th of next month； and my first duty will be to
present myself at your hospitable door and satisfy your curiosity； if I have
excited it。 My father； I am glad to state； has so greatly improved that he
can no longer be regarded as an invalid。 With great esteem； I am； etc。； etc。
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Majorie Daw
CHAPTER XIII。
EDWARD DELANEY TO JOHN FLEMMING。
August 31； 1872。
Your letter； announcing your mad determination to come here； has just
reached me。 I beseech you to reflect a moment。 The step would be fatal to
your interests and hers。 You would furnish just cause for irritation to R。 W。
D。； and； though he loves Marjorie devotedly； he is capable of going to any
lengths if opposed。 You would not like； I am convinced； to be the means of
causing him to treat her with severity。 That would be the result of your
presence at The Pines at this juncture。 I am annoyed to be obliged to point
out these things to you。 We are on very delicate ground； Jack； the situation
is critical； and the slightest mistake in a move would cost us the game。 If
you consider it worth the winning； be patient。 Trust a little to my sagacity。
Wait and see what happens。 Moreover； I understand from Dillon that you
are in no condition to take so long a journey。 He thinks the air of the coast
would be the worst thing possible for you； that you ought to go inland； if
anywhere。 Be advised by me。 Be advised by Dillon。
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Majorie Daw
CHAPTER XIV。
TELEGRAMS。 September 1； 1872。
1。 … TO EDWARD DELANEY。
Letter received。 Dillon be hanged。 I think I ought to be on the ground。
J。 F。
2。 … TO JOHN FLEMMING。
Stay where you are。 You would only complicated matters。 Do not
move until you hear from me。 E。 D。
3。 … TO EDWARD DELANEY。
My being at The Pines could be kept secret。 I must see her。 J。 F。
4。 … TO JOHN FLEMMING。
Do not think of it。 It would be useless。 R。 W。 D。 has locked M。 in her
room。 You would not be able to effect and interview。 E。 D。
5。 … TO EDWARD DELANEY。
Locked her in her room。 Good God。 That settles the question。 I shall
leave by the twelve…fifteen express。 J。 F。
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Majorie Daw
CHAPTER XV。
THE ARRIVAL。
On the second day of September； 1872； as the down express； due at
3。40； left the station at Hampton； a young man； leaning on the shoulder of
a servant； whom he addressed as Watkins； stepped from the platform into a
hack； and requested to be driven to 〃The Pines。〃 On arriving at the gate of
a modest farm…house； a few miles from the station； the young man
descended with difficulty from the carriage； and； casting a hasty glance
across the road； seemed much impressed by some peculiarity in the
landscape。 Again leaning on the shoulder of the person Watkins； he walked
to the door of the farm…house and inquired for Mr。 Edward Delaney。 He
was informed by the aged man who answered his knock； that Mr。 Edward
Delaney had gone to Boston the day before； but that Mr。 Jonas Delaney
was within。 This information did not appear satisfactory to the stranger；
who inquired if Mr。 Edward Delaney had left any message for Mr。 John
Flemming。 There was a letter for Mr。 Flemming if he were that person。
After a brief absence the aged man reappeared with a Letter。
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Majorie Daw
CHAPTER XVI。
EDWARD DELANEY TO JOHN FLEMMING。
September 1； 1872。
I am horror…stricken at what I have done！ When I began this
correspondence I had no other purpose than to relieve the tedium of your
sick…chamber。 Dillon told me to cheer you up。 I tried to。 I thought that you
entered into the spirit of the thing。 I had no idea； until within a few days；
that you were taking matters au grand serieux。
What can I say？ I am in sackcloth and ashes。 I am a pariah； a dog of an
outcast。 I tried to make a little romance to interest you； something soothing
and idyllic； and； by Jove！ I have done it only too well！ My father doesn't
know a word of this； so don't jar the old gentleman any more than you can
help。 I fly from the wrath to comewhen you arrive！ For oh； dear Jack；
there isn't any piazza； there isn't any hammockthere isn't any Marjorie
Daw！
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