“Exactly; that is just what the aspirant for the Brewster fortune claims,” began the wily expert.
“It is not true! There is not a word of truth in the dreadful story!” interposed the unhappy girl, in heart-broken tones, a shudder of repugnance shaking her from head to foot.
“No doubt it seems hard, and there are a good many hard things in the world. I have found it so in my own experience,” her companion replied, with significant emphasis; “but, unfortunately for you, the lady brings proofs which appear incontestible.”
“I will not listen to them! I will have them refuted! I will engage the best counsel in New York, and leave no stone unturned to defend the reputation of my dear father and mother,” Allison wildly declared.
Her companion looked somewhat disconcerted in view of her threat; but, after a moment, leaned toward her and said, in low, stern, rapid tones:
“All vehement denial and denunciation can do your cause no good. I have seen this woman who claims to be Mrs. Brewster. I have seen and read letters and documents which prove her statement that she was married to Adam Brewster some three years prior to his marriage to the lady whom you called mother. She says they only lived together a very short time; a violent quarrel and the discovery that they were not congenial resulted in a separation, she going to a distant city in the West to reside, and where, out of motives of revenge, she caused a notice of her death to be inserted in a newspaper and sent to her husband. A few years afterward she saw an announcement of Mr. Brewster’s marriage to a Miss Porter, of Massachusetts.”
“Horrible! But if all this is true, why did she not make her claim upon him at that time? Why wait all these years before claiming her rights?” Allison demanded, as Mr. Hubbard paused.
“That is easily explained,” he returned. “Mr. Brewster took his bride immediately abroad. She did not know when he returned, and could learn nothing regarding him until after the death of the second Mrs. Brewster. She says that later she did seek him, and demanded recognition as his wife. Of course, it was a terrible blow to him to learn how she had deceived him, but he would have nothing to say to her; he repudiated her utterly. The only thing he would agree to was to pay her a certain amount annually, as hush money, for she threatened to expose the facts of the case unless he would make some arrangement with her.”
“I do not believe it,” Allison again stoutly affirmed. “It was not like my father to pay ‘hush money’ to any one. He was always open and aboveboard in all his dealings; besides, he never appeared to have any trouble or burden upon his mind, as he must have had if he had stood in constant fear of a public scandal.”