Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

JOURNAL AND MESSENGER. THE FAMILY JOURNAL—NEWS—POLITICS- LITERATURE—AGRICULTURE—DOMESTIC NEWS, Etc.—PRICE $8.00 PER ANNUM- GEORGIA TEL APH BUILDING ESTABLISHED 1826. MAC<m FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1881. VOLUME LV—NO. 47 WE AEHOXD Tit KB. Tram Ike Westminster JUvino. Ey Ioto wu out in the garden Under the almond tree. All in the blush of blossom That blows for the honey bee. I came up over the daisies Before she could turn to see, I caught her hand and kissed it Under th* almond tree. Sho flushed like a rose in snmmer— She stepped aside from me. “I am young,” she said, “and happy, And 1 pray you let me be.” ■“To be happy,’*! said, “it needeth That a man and a maid agree.” And I turned and left her weeping Under the almond tree. Sho made a step through the daisies, Shocallod with a sob tome. She fpid: “Hdw can I be happy If you are not there to see ? ” I looked in her eyee and lingered; hike blossom in May blu.-hed she. I clasped Iter close and kissed her Under the almond tree. THE MARQUIS’BING. [From Tineleg'e IfagaaineJ CHAPTER I. "Enormou-Jy rich, and looking out for a wile.” Those are the very words the Dean’s wife used in speaking of the Mar quis. It was at a dinner given at the Deanery, and we found him extremely pleasant. After that it waa only natural that he sl>eu|d call on mother, and we should make up a party to Introduce him to the people or Weston. Weston is where mother and I have lived theso many years, ever alnce Letty was married. It is a very pretty, sociable place; a littlo monotonous, perhaps, but it is well suited to people who haven’t much money and who like society, and there is a good deal of that one way and another. The great drawback to Weston Is that it is quite close to a large manufacturing town, and the wives and daughters of the manufacturers are always trying to push themselves into our set; therefore we have to te vpry particular, at least we were; of late, indeed, things have altered. We who live in thq.Royal Crescent are looked upon as qujte the aristocracy oftbe place; uot but What there are /some good families in the lower towu, but they are not visited by the PeddletonsofPeddietou Dali or the Deanery people. Indeed, it has been remarked that for once the Dean’s carriage is seen m the lower town; tea would be nearer the mark on the HU], As for the Peddlelons, JLady Augusta only calls “once a year” on the Cresent, then sends cards round with the govern ess. During the season there Is a good deal of entertaining going on. On the Crescent we have, of course, the best company and the most elegant kind of parties—tea, music, cards and light refreshments. We tbiuk suppers vnlgar and only fit for the “traders.” 1 am sorry to say we are not so select as we were. People are asked now who weren’t known ten years ago; but this Is all since Mrs. Colonel Blacker came among us. She is a regular demo crat, and only wants to marry her seven daughters by hook or crook, and doesn’t care if it is a sweep, so long as he has money enough. She has set the fashion of dances and suppers; but I am glad to say she has it all to herseff, for in general our reunions are quite quiet and very ex clusive. I only wish we could exclude the Blacker glr.s, but of course we can’t, as they have the middle bouse, and the largest one, too, and have been on the Crescent since the Colonel wen. on/’half” more than ten years ago. It Is very an noying having such a regular out-and-out maueuverer as Mrs. Blacker is In the midst of us. “Ste swoops down,” as Lady Tumhletowers says, “on a man as an eagle does on a bird, and never gives any girl but her own a chance of picking bim. ,r I may say heie that I am not a girl, so to speak. I dare say Mrs. Blacker would, and does, call me an old maid, but that’s ouo of her nasty, ill-natured speeches. I won't say Iww old I am. I don’t think it matters. Every one agrees now age is nothing; it is looks and feeling that tell. Not that I would make a fool of myself by marryiug a young man—certainly not. Non-, the Marquis de l’Arriere was not young; lie was decidedly middle-aged. Sopliy Blacker said, in her pert, impudent way, that he was dyed and made up, but ho looked to ms a fresh, well-looking man. 1 don’t mind, looks, provided a man IsintelHgsM and well educated; and tin; Maiqnls waa bull, ami a perfect gen tleman. I always said that, and 1 always will say It. There was'a‘good* deal of excitement when it was known on the Crescent that we expected the Marquis on our “Friday.” I had wished to keep It private, bat moth er unfortunately let it oat to Lady Tora- bletowers, and then it was public proper ty at once. In fact it made quite a little stir in the place, for Miss Withers told me, when I called in to hurry home my lace fichu and mother’s new cap, that she thought it must be one of the Deanery nights, so many orders had come in quite sii'lili-nly. Every one came very early, Ineonve nieutly so, indeed, for I had not quite fin- ibli’ d decanting the wine with Jordan’s men. Wc have kept no regular butler since Getty’s marriage, and on ordinary occasions we do very well with the maid’s waiting; but this time we felt it only right to have in the head waiter from the Jor dan Arms. A very respectable man he in ami gives no trouble about getting drunk or stealing spoons, as the more fashionable ones do. The rooms soon got very full. The only people who did not appear were the Black en, which surprised me very much, end I began to hope they were not coming. There was an air of expectation over us all, and we had to answer a great many questions, fur no one else bad seen the Marquis, although a good deal of gossip had been collected about him by the gen tlemen at their club, and it seemed very herally understood that he was very rich and looking out for a wife. When Colonel Jones said this, little Mias Jones squeezed my fingers, and I felt my face get hot; but all the same I was glad my new ficluf had come home, and I was not i’ii-ased that we were to introduce the novelty. Just then Jordan threw open the door sud announced— “The Ques de l’Ar.” Which was his rendering of the Marqnie de l’Arriere. It waa very provoking, and I was afraid the Marquis would have been eugry, but he did not seem to mind it in the least. Certainly foreigners have charming manners. Be was quite at home in a few minutes JJ“h us all, and laughing and talking as If we had known him a hundred years, ur course, everyone wanted to be intro duced, and it was quite fiinny to hear the attempts some people made at speaking trench. He seemed to understand me the best, hut I, of course, knew that he “*u an \empresue manner. I am sore however, Lady Tumbletowen and Miss Jones drew their own conclusions. By and by I got him to the plauo, and then ho had a success. Whatever might be said of anything else, there was no donbt his playing was something beautiful, divine, angelic. I could have listened to him forever; and Jo sit near him quietly drinking it in waa to me enchanliug, even after I knew hi* playing was not for me but for another. ___ I remember quite well he was in the either. middle of Chopin’s “Impromptu,” when rustling of silks waa beard outside, and the Biacker’s came in noisily, as they al ways do—Mrs. Blacker talking m her bitch military voice, and Sophy and Bessie gig gling. I heard Mrs. Blacker say to my mother, “we have come in force to-night, bat I thought you would be hurt if I did not bring her;” and then I saw Lady Dai ry tuple. She waa the eldest and only married daughter, the widow of a Scotch Baronet, an old man who had been caught some where abroad and who had ltved only two years after the marriage. There were some ugly stories floating of a will made at his death-bed, and money and Jewels diverted-from the rightful heir; but there waa no public etclanare, and Lady Dal rymple was well received in London where she principally lived. I don’t think her money (If she had it) was of much use to her family. Some times she had one of the girls to stay with her, and she came down to the Crescent for a little while after the season; butshu was evidently trying her chances again, and with very probable success. Shu was ' a handsome woman, or rather girl, of the slender, willowy type, her head well set, and with a cold, dear-cut face and a fair complexion—a woman n<rt much troubled with the finer feelings, but calm, self-pos sessed, and always mistress of herself. She was looking particular well, I thought with a certain air of distinction which singled her out from tbs other women, and that undeniable air of fashion which throws provincials like us into the shade, We all felt badly dressed, and as fir Miss Withers’ fichu, it made me look pos itively vulgar; her perfect-fitting black satin, high to the throat, with only a frill of real lace, was so much more elegant. I never did like those washerwoman hand kerchiefs. Lady Dalrymple is musical. Weston Is not strong in musicians, ami among us slie was always thought rather a light The Blackers themselves consider her equal to Arabella Goddard. She makes quite a little scene before she begins to play. First she has to be treated and per suaded; then all the lights have -to be moved, as the candles lake away nerve- after that comes the pulling off of her gloves and the taking off her rings. Beau tiful rlDgs thoy are, diamonds and emer alds, and old-fashion curious ones. She puts tliem all in a heap on the piano, and then rubs her white slender fingers to gether as if she were glad to be rid of them. The whole thing is a piece of act- iug, and this night she went through the business fora new spectator—the Marquis. I saw how he watched her, as she glided past him, arching her neck like a swan, and soon be followed her, standing beside the piano while she played, in what sounded like a school-girl’s playing after his, some namb-pamby airs aDd trickling water pieces. By and by I saw them talk ing, he bending toward her, more anima ted than ever—she calm, statuesque, but lendiDg a well-pleased attention. It was the repetation of the scene we had Seen last year with young St. Leonards,. only this time it was different, I saw, too, Mrs. Blacker, in the next room, cross-question log mother, and picking her brains about the Marquis; and I knew that, so-far as I was concerned, It mattered little wheth er he was a million-alre looking out for a wife or not. It is no disgrace to me to own 1 felt a little sore, it is hard to- see all the good things in life slipping away one; but it has always been my lot, and so 1 resign myself. I wonder bow many such acts of resignation do we poor neg lected ones make in the course of our weary pilgrimage; and is there any ac count taken of our many and bitter -dis appointments? From this night a flirtation began be tween Lady Dalrymple and the Marquis We all saw it, and talked it over next day with Lady Tumhletowers at her 5 o’clock tea. Mrs. Blacker bad been down with her early to know if mother’s story was true; and “mark my words, they’ll snap him up; my Lady will turn into a Mar quise;” added the old dowager. She never iiaed the Blackers; and Miss Jones, com ing in just thon, brought the news that Marquis was going into the Blackers’ with s roll of music under his arm. Miss Joues looked at me as she said this, and nodded her head. Tha good-natured lit tle spinster would have wished, I well knew, that it was to me, and not to the Blackers, that the good luck was coming. CHAPTER II. For several weeks llio spectacle of the Marquis and his joll of musuc was pre sented dally to nlie Crescent. During these weeks we all grew to look upon the matter as settled, and that, by the end of Lady Dalrymple’s visit, a marriage would be duly announced. There was no mis taking the Marquis’ intentions. When ever we went to tbo vacant place next, Agnes Dalrymple was occupied by him; bnd if by cbonce, in his absence, any oue else took it, it was immediately vacated on his arrival. He spent a great deal of his time with us; so much so that little Miss Joues would sometimes—but that was uonsense. lie made no secret for his adoration for n la btlle statue,” as be called Agnes; and he would talk for hours to mother and me about his chances of success, for strange to say, he seemed full of diffi dence and quite unconscious of the hunt the Blackers were making alter him. It E ut mo sometimes out of all patience to ear him sighing and groaniug over the uncertainty when I knew the Blackers were ready to eat him op, Marquisate and all. We never had such a gay time at Wes ton as during these weeks; every one wish ed to entertain the Marquis; and every one, even little Miss Jones, ‘gave some thing. Then the lower town took it up, and dinners and halls, to all of which tliu Marquis went, and after him the Black en. By ami by the Doddle urns came home, and somebody telling them of tiie Marquis, old Poddicton came down him self to call upon him, ami asked him to dine at the hall. Of course not one of us were invited. We didn’t expect It; for no ono ever got inside of the gates except at the summer garden party, when we are all asked en masse with the tradespeople. It is always a wonder to me why we go, and stand that woman’s insolence. We all, therefore, thought it very sig nificant of what waa coming when Lady Dalrymple got a card for dinner the same day as the Marquis. All the same 1 do think, with Miss Jones, that it was rather uudigulfied of her to go when her mother and sisters were left out; but as Lady Tumbletowen said, she would have walk ed over their dead bodies to get iuto the hall. Mrs- Blacker told us that Agnes knew Col. Poddleton, the eldest son, intimately up in London, and that was why she was united, but we all knew better, and agreed it was Just because Lady Augusta wanted to amuse herself with tbo flirta tion. Alter this dinner we noticed that the Blackers were not near so keen after the Marquis. Lady Tumbletower thought they were bolding back a little to draw him on, but Miss Jones thought they were trying for Col. Poddleton. However that might be, It was certain that the Colonel waa in the Blacken’ house almost every day. A liedious little man he was, no more to be compared to the Marquis tbau a monkey u» a man; but theu he was the heir to the Hall, well connected, and no doubt a good match for any one. Proba bly Lady Dalrymple was playing one against the other, and would be ready for I think it was about this time that ru mors began to get about against the Mar quis. Whispers only at first, but growing, as such things do, gradually into shape. I am almost sure it was Col. PoddletOD who threw the first stone; fer I heard him say myself that there was no such title among the French nobility. And then people began to wonder what brought him to Weston, and bow it was that, if he had so much money, lie lodged over Skimps the grocer’s, aue in place of a valet had only Skimp's maid-of-all-work to wait on him. He didn’t even iiava boy to run his messages. Mrs.; Blacker went so far as to say he hadn’t a sitting room; but when it come to that I got vex ed- I remember it was at Miss Jones’, and we were all discussmg it, and I own I crew a little hot; for Mrs. Blacker seem ed to make mother and me responsablo for the whole thing, and I could only say that I was sure the Dean’s wifo would think it rather odd when she came home from Paris and find such stories going about of her friend. And then Mrs. Blacker turned quite short on me. ‘•Are you quite sure, Miss Barstowe, that there is no mistake—that, the whole of this story of the Dean’s wife is not a ceck-and-a-bull of your mother’s? Don’t you remember Sir Rose Price?” This was so like Mrs. Blackcr’s ill-na ture, bringing up a long-forgotten story against my sister Letty. Well, it was no disgrace to her or to us that we had been taken in by a charming Irish baronet, who passed himself off'as an unmarried man, until his wife wrote to mother and told her. It wasn't like scheming for an old man, as Agnes Dalrymple had done, and robbing his family. 1 was goiog to make some sharp retort, when Miss Jones so struck in; “The Deanery people are coming back to-night,” she said. “I was just going by the Jordan Arms, and I called In to see Mrs. J. aud the baby, and she told me the carriage will be there at 5 this after noon.” 'That’s something,” cried Mrs. Black- “Now we’ll know the real thing. - I shall consider it my business to make an early call at the Deanery. You may think it absurd being so particular; but girls like mine, and especially a young widow, rich and beautiful, like my Agnes, is a great charge.. It is well for you good peo ple,-who have no such responsibility.” And with this lost thrust Mrs. Blacker t'-ok herself away. .When she was gone we all agreed she was in her most disagreeable temper, and certainly very excited. Whether it w about Col. Poddleton or the Marquis we could not agree. .Miss Jones proposed that she aud I should go to the Deanery next day; “for,” said she, “Mrs. Blacker will be sure to be there, and there’s no knowiDg the stories she will tell of you, and of all of us.’ Bo we settled theu that wo would share a carriage between U3 and drive up. *• - ' When we sent down next morning to the Jordan Arms for a fly, we found half the town had ordered carriages for the Deanery, so great was the curiosity to find out something about the Marquis,. which every one expected to hear from the Dean’s wife. When we found ■ that wo went an hour earlier to have a quiet chat. Early as it was, Airs. Blacker was before us. We met her driving out of the lodee- gates. Slie stopped the carriage. “Just as I supposed, Miss Barstowe,” she cried out, “acorn, lete mistake;” and drove on, looking very spiteful and angry. I was astonished, but my amazement was greater still when I tound the Dean’s wife repudiating all she had said, and de claring she knew nothing more of the Marquis than having met him at a friend’s house. For so geutle a person, the Dean’s wile seemed quite annoyed, and inclined to veut her anuoyance on me. “I cannot imagine what induced you, dear Miss Barstowe, to set such a story going; it might give rise to serious com plications. Where there are young people, one must be careful,” etc. At this Miss Jones looked atme,and we both knew that Mrs. Blacker bad been talking. I said nothing; there was no use fending and proving, as Miss Jones said, although I cuuld have taken my oath iu any court in the Kingdom that the Dean’s wife had used the words “enormously rich, and looking out tor a wife.” j .We got away after this (for we did not fte to run the carriage into the second hour.) I could have cried all the way home, I fell so vexed and mortified; only I would not let Miss Jones see it. And I was sorry for the Marquis, too. His downfall for every one would know now that the Dean’s wife was no guarantee for his respectability. We met him on our way home coming toward the Cres cent; and I declare ray heart bled for him, he looked so handsome and interest ing as he raised his hat; but Miss Jones said he looked like a singer. And she used to be one of bis great admirers. The next day there was a large picnic to soire caves In the neighborhood, end ing with a tea-dinner at the Blackers’. saw them start from our window. Col. Poddleton driving his own drag, ana Ag ues Dslrymplo sitting beside him. The Marquis went too, but iu a fly by himself. He looked up at our windows as bo pass ed, and bis face was very sad. In the evening mother and Miss Jones persuaded me to go in, they said it would look as if I felt myself in disgrace, and as Mrs. Blacker bad sent in for tho loan of our teapot and spoons, mother said I might go stiff. I own I felt a little curious to see how things were going on, but ner vous also, aud I grew more nervous when, after a few minutes, during which I saw the Marquis was net there, Colonel Pod dleton attacked me in his brusque, haw- haw sort of manner: “Well, Miss Barstowe, so your foreign friend has been blown—shown up regu larly, and now means to cat, and to try the business in London. But that won’t do! We don’tstaud swaggers there. A egular cad, that’s what he is!” ■ “We owe it to you that he was found out In time,” said Mrs. Blacker with an air of intense thankfulness, and as it she had escaped some great danger; whereas, as we all knew, she had been running down the Marquis’ throat. “I confess I was taken in,” she added, with charming frankness, “and so was every one excapbyou Agnes .dear. I think you never liked tho Marquis, although, indeed—” “He liked her!” struck in the refined Colonel, with a loud laugh. “Just like his impudence!” And then he whispered something to her, and she craned her long ueck toward him, and they comported themselves much as engaged lovers do. "It is all settled,” whispered Miss Jones to me. "He proposed to-day after lunch In the Nuu’s Cave, and Mrs. Blacker look us all aside aud told us half an hour after. You never saw any one so cut up as the Marquis was. Either that or the treatment be got from every one gave him a headache, and he went home to rest a bit. No one asked him to come back except me, and I really could not help it, although, I dare say, it was wreng.” * “Wrong?” cried I, indignantly. “Why, what has he done ? Suppose be Is not rich, surely that’s not a crime! HU worst folly U looking after that cold status of a woman, Agues Dalrymple.” “Hush, my dear; don’t say anymore; here he is!” Poor man, be waa looking very pale and ill, I thought, as ha came in, under a vol ley of cold looks from hU hostess and every one. I was the only one who gave him a friendly look or word. And what was I, a poor insignificant spinster? Col. Poddleton continued his whispering in most offensive manner; hut I think Agnes seemed a little uneasy, and inclined to draw away from her overpowering lover. Presently a move was made to the piano, aud, under cover of the noise and con' fusion, I heard the Marquis say to her: “You will play to me once more; you will let me stand next yon; you will let me hold your gloves, your handkerchief for the last time—the last time!—Oil, Agues!” The depth of sorrow in his voice must have touched even her cold heart, for she answered gently enough, although she looked around uneasily, as if afraid of her tyrant. But she went to the piano at once, and was quicker than usual in tiie little tricks wo all kuew by heart. The Haiquis, standing beside her, was in pos session of her gloves, her rings,. and her handkerchief, when, all-of a sudden, Col onel Poddleton came striding toward him. “I can relieve you of these,” he said, In a rough voice. “Lady Dalrymple would prefer my holding them—eh, Agnes?" And, without waiting for an answer, ho snatched the gloves aud the fan from the astonished Marquis and scattered the rings on the floor. There was a little stir among us, picking them up. The Blackers sways kept their floors polished and carpetless, ready for danc ing, when any foolish young men were caught to waltz with them; aud therefore it was easy enough to see the stones gleamlug. on the boards. I went iu search of one truant, when looking round, I saw the Marquis at a little dis tance on all-fours underatablo. He picked up something quickly that glitter ed like a diamond, and, to my amaze ment. stowed it away in his pocket. The next inlnute he left tiie room, unnoticed In the general confusion. There was a great deal of talking and laughing, and then Lady Dalrymple be gan playing again. Miss Joues came and whispered to me that the Marquis bad slipped away without saying good night to any one. “Mark iny words,” she said, “we shall have a duel between him and the Colonel. He was furious at the way Poddletou treated him. Ah, Lady Dalrymple has > deal to answer for, that she has 1 I saw him going.out, and he was ghastly white.” I could hardly answer hep, I was so up set, mid at the same time so curious to know what would happen next. As Agnes bad missed nothing, perhaps it was all right; hutliowcould Idoubtthe evidence or my own senses? And tile more I thought of it the more I was sure that it was a ring the Marquis had put sway. Ar.d if it was so, and it was missed; what was i to do? All this time Agnes kept playing on In a dreamy, wandering fasliiou, while the Colonel sat behind her holding tho much- coveted fan and the recovered rings, Which he occasionally looked at with an air of proprietorship which .would have irritated me had i bean his affianced w ife. But she did not seem to mind him; her thoughts were evidently far awaji; and as she kept on playing the Marquis’ favorite airs I presume she thought him still in the room. I saw her eyes wandering round, searching every corner, and when she at last stopped it 1 was with a very listless manner that she turned to the Colonel aud took her fan and her rings. I now looked on with feverish anxiety. Ho gave them to her one by one, remarking on each as he did so. When he had: done she still held out her baud. “Dpn’t be anticipating," lie said sig nificantly. “You have no more at pres ent.” She smiled, pietending to be embar rassed, but persisted, saying a little pet tishly— ! “Don’t tease me,.Col. Poddleton. Give me my circle ring of diamond and rubies —a gem the jewelers call—” “Gem or no gem, it is not here,” he an swered shortly. “You had seven rings, and I have given you seven.” “Where’s the use of saying that?” she answered rather crossly. “I had eight, and this was my best, my beauiful ring.” ‘•Now, Agnes, are yon quite anrel—■ think.” “I will not think about It. 1 know I had it cn; mamma saw it, and so did Miss Jones—she admired it on my Unger;” and Miss Joues corroborating, there was noth ing for it but to begin the hunt again. Down on our knees we all went, the serv-. ants now being called in to help. All in vain, although some of us went at it with a will. I poked and ferretted in every hole and corner, but to no use, and we had at last to give in, Mrs. Blacker saying she would lock the door and search again in the morning. To say the truth, she was more quiet and lady-llke about the matter than Lady Dalrymple, who seemed to suspect some of her company of purloining the ring, and she Insisted on our all turning out our pockets, under pretence that it might have slipped Id; but so far the Marquis did not occur to her, until at last an idea struck Col. Pendleton. “I declare I think It must be that French fellow. What became of him? Where did he disappear to, eh, Mrs. Blacker? £b, Mrs. Barstowe? Hallo, what's the matter with you?” In spite of all my efforts I felt myself changing color, and all eye s turned upon me. “She knows something,” said the odi ous Colonel, shaking His head wisely. “Tell the truth, Miss Barstowe; Dou’t screen the cad. Did yon see him crib it, eh?” The room seemed turning round. I thought I should faint, but 1 made an ef fort. “I don’t understand you, Col. Pendle ton,” I stafnmerod oat. "I saw nothing of any consequonce.” “O, but you saw something—that’s evi dent. Now, my dear Agnes, keep quiet. I know how to manage these things. We h*7e experience, I can tell yon, in the army. Let every one leave the room,and Miss Baretotve and I will have a little conversation—a tete-a-tete;” and then the ungentlcmanly creature laughed one of his great horse-laughs; aud this laugh, together with the idea of being cross-ex amined by such a wretch, made me feel quite hysterica), and I began to cry. Then dear kind Miss Jones spoke up, and said I should not be worried, and Mrs. Black er also interfered; and they took me into the little drawing-room aud put me on the sofa, and between them they got out of me all I kuew. I mad » Mrs. Blacker promise she would do nothing about it until next morning, and until she waa quite, quite sure the ring was not in the house, and Mist Jones said the would be silent as the grave. But, oh dear, bow miserable I was when I got home, and hadn’t even moth er to tell it all to, for she was sound asleep. It seemed to me such s ter rible thing that I was tbe'one to brand the Marquis as a thief, and ft did seem so hard that I should have been the one to see him do what waa no doubt suspicious, for, turn it over as I might, I couldn’t conceal that from myself. It had an ug ly look, there was no denying it; but, oh dear, what should I do if I had to swear to it in open court before judge and jury ? I grew quite cold all over at the thought. It was quite early dawn when an idea suddenly struck me. I would warn the Marqu;s; if he returned the ring, all would he right. ■ 1 got up aud dressed myself; then I sat down and I wrote a few words. It was a very difficult letter to write, but I worded it as delicately as I could. I affected it to think it a Joke or something. When I had it written I tied a thick veil over my face, and with moth er’s fur cloak over me, I slipped out of the house aud down the hiii to the lower town, where the Marquis lived overSkimpi the grocer’s. A* I drew near my courage began to fall me. What if Mrs. Skimps were looking out, and were to see me put ting in a letter for the Marquis at this hour of the morning ? Why, in such a place as Weston my character wouldn’t be worth three pins! £ was still hesilatiug, when’the side door—the private one— opened, and who should couie out but the Marquis himself! He carried in his hand a little valise, aud he had a slouched hat all over his eyes; he shut the door to very softfy, aud turned away in the direction of the railway. My heart stood still, aud would you believe it?- -thetears actual ly came Into my eves. It seemed to me such a terrible thing that a gentleman like the Marquis should stoop to such a low crime a* robbery- . But who could doubt it now? But I was uot one to stop him if be was trying to escape, so I let him go, ’ ’ When tho news was known that day the whole place was in commotion. It was iu vain Skimps protested that the Marquis had always intended leaving by the early train, that ho had seut bislug- gage on the Jday before, and that he was a most honorable gentleman and had paid his bills regular. No one minded him. There was a universal howl against the MarquU,and Col.Poddletou went upon the afternoon train to Loudou aud set the de tectives on his track. For days I lived in terror lest he should be taken, and that I should be brought in evidence against him; but days aud weeks went by, aud nothing was beard of him. .All the same, my nerves were greatly shattered. Besides the reproach I felt at having betrayed the unfortunate Marquis, my wife was a bur- den to me, owing to this business. Every body seeme 1 to tkiuk it was our fault, mother's aqd mine. Even at the Deanery I heard they talked of our “imprudence,” which was too bad considering they had introduced him. That dreadful Col onel Pendleton never let it go; he was al ways bringing up the story, and jeering at ms in his dreadful loud voice even ions after Agnes. Dalrymple had mar ried biui, aud people were beginning to forget it. I declare I got to dread the sightlof hira coming into a room. Atlast mother said it would be far better for us to go away for a bit. It was tho year of the Paris Exposition, and little Miss Jones proposed tlxu she and I should take a trip there, while mother went to Letty at Bath. It all fitted in very nicely; for Miss Jones had a cousin who kept a boarding house, or pension as they called it, fn the Rue Neuve St. Augustine; there we went, and very comfortable we were. Mrs. Reid was quite the lady; and‘her connections being all first rate, we bad pleasant society every evening, with mu sic, cards, and sometimes dancing. The relief, too, of hearing nothing about the Marquis’ story was quite settiug me up, and when I bought a Paris bonnet I looked, Mis* Jones said, ten years young- tbat It may catch his eye, and that he may know how very much I have suffered. many foreigners, and they came and went in that nice way they have. Thero was music in one room and cards in another, and everything was going on as pleasant as possible, when old Mrs. Reid came to me. - ;r .ji “There is a gentleman here knows yon very well,” she said. And looking up, who should I see standing before me, with his hand out, but the Marquis him self? I declare tbo whole room seemed to me to go round. Miss Jones said afterward she thought I was going to faint. I be haved splendidly, she said; but I only acted on the spur ot the moment. “I haven’t the pleasure of your ac quaintance, sir,” £ said. “It Is a mis take.” “A mistake!—nonsense!” be said. And I declare, although I knew him to be a thief, my neart went out to bis nice kind voice. “Why, Miss Barstowe,” he said, “don’t you know me ? And there’s. Miss Jones.” “I do not know you, sir,” I»repeated; “and I don’t wish to know yon, neither does Miss Joues.” . I was trembling all over, and Miss Jones murmured, “Impertinent swind led” But 1 don’t know if he heard her. He looked at us both very steadily, and then made us a bow—a very low one. “It shall be as you like,ladles,” he said! and turned away. ■ ,i . I felt a great lump in my throat; and, as I am inclined to nervous hysterics, I thought It better to get away to my room. And presently Miss Jones came, and then Mrs. Reid. They were most kind to me, for I was very hysterical in deed. It did seem to me, as it were, so hard that it was put on me to be always bis evil genius. I squeezed Miss Joues’ finger not to tell Mrs, Reid. But she said: “Jemima, it is only fair to put Alicia ou her guard. She won’t believe thatthe Marquis could do such a thing.” “He is a gentleman of the highest re spectability, my dear Miss Bsrstoire,’ one of the old Legitimist families.” “Aud Col. Poddleton said he was a pretender,” I said, through my tears. “All the same he stole Agnes Dalrym- ple'a ring,” Mitt Jones returned. “Surely. Jemima, you saw It with your own eyes.” “It might be kleptomania,” I mur mured. “Nonsense, my dear. He could have seat it back.’! “I really think, Miss Barstowe, it must be some mistake,” remarked Mrs. Reid. But, you kuow, I couldn’t say that. And we weut all over the story again; and Mrs. Reid had to confess it had a very ug ly look; but I made her promise not to let it go any further. We left Paris next morning, after what had happened, indeed, ‘I did not care to stay; but all the pleasure of my trip was spoiled to me my this last episode. We fouud mother back again in Royal Cres cent. And almost the first thing she said to me was: “Jemima, I have a great piece of news for yon 1 guess, now 1” Of course, I could not—who ever can 1 As for Miss Jones, she guessed ths most impossible things. She always does the same with riddles. Mother, continuing to smile, came out with it at last. “Agnes Dalrymple has found her ring!” she said. “The Marquis’ ring 1” “Where ?” “Just imagine—In the skirt she wore that evening. It fall among the quillings; and there it lay till the dress was unpacked the other day. They are in the greatest glee over it.” Miss Jones and I looked at one another aghast. Was there never to be an end to the business ? Of course, I wrote at once to Mrs. Reid, telling her bow wrong the whole story was. I bear she calls us two meddlaaome old maids. But 1 had no way of explaining ths mat ter to the Marquis. I could not recall tha words I bad said; and, although I daresay ba did not care, still it pains me. I should Uke to see him once more, Just to tell him bow sorry I am; bat I suppose we shall never meet again. And that is why I have written this, in the faint hope ’ at-U uh ' _ - ' - ■ GUtTEA V AN Mitt tEU. DMUriBRThst He ■■!■ She Heads *r Use Lord sod Use Polleo. Special Dispatch , to the Philadelphia Times Washington, November 20—An in terview had with Guiteau this afternoon, will be pu Risked in the Post io the morn ing. On entering the jail the reporter found the main corridors well filleu with men and women, most of them of social staudiug, each one tired with a desire to see the most, noted criminal of the nine teenth century. ‘Visitors have been coming aud going all the day,” said one of the deDuty wardens. "Only a few of them, however, caught even s glimpse of Gniteau. He has kept closely to his cell and seems to be in a meditative mood. Religious ser vices were held in the jail this morning, but Guiteau lock no Interest therein. He remained in his cell.” “Does your wound hart you ?” asked the reporter of Guiteau. J “Not iu the least,” replied the assassin. “Why, it’s a mere abrasion. It didn’t hurt from the first. The man intended to kill me, but the Lord interposed and saved me from harm. Take a look at the wound.” Here the assassin pulled off his coat and rolled up the shirt sleeve eovering his left srm. Right in the crotch ef the elbow was an abrasiou that looked like a slight bump. A ten-ceut piece woald have hid it from sight. “By the way,” continued the assassin, “all tbe Washington papers have done me a gross injustice in reporting that during the trjal yesterday I smiliugiy handled the section of President Garfield’s back bone introduced in evidence.”' “Did you critically examine the ghastly relic?” asked the reporter. “1 did dot,” .-aid the assassin, in an earnest-voice. “My counsel, Mr. SJco- ville, had-it in bis hands and it attracted my attention. I softly whispered to him: ‘Is that part of Garfield's bones?’ and Mr. Scovilie nodded his head in tbo affirma tive. 1 did not poke my finger in tbe hole; didn’t even point wy finger at the boue. ’ I want you to make tbia correction for me. Tbe report as published tends to incense the people agalust me.” "Did you have any acquaintance with Bill Jones,, the man uuder arrest for try ing to kill you?” “I never saw and and don’t want to see him or anyone else or bia stripe. He must be a lunatic or a bushwhacker.” OUtTEAU NOT AFRAID., , , 'i, _ “Do you stand in dread of any further attempts on yottr life! ,“I have no anxiety as to the future. I am in no fear. The Lord and the metro politan, police’ win guard me from all harm. The Lord , will protect me in the future as He has preserved me in the past. He is usiDg toese people to serve His purpose, and hence comes my pro tection. The issues of life and death, you kuow, are in His hands, and He nev er iu working out His plans gives much reference to the will or man.” “If tbe Lord guards you with such ten der care; why was it the attempt on your life op Saturday afternoon threw you into At COLP-BLOOSEO M VttDKM, such street fear?” The last day af our stay Mrs. Reid had “I was not thrown into any fear. The I om »i*ini,“ T)7e"dead a little party for us. There were a great report was false and slattderdos. WBefi vacclnaiedkaaty, andth . -7t —...i, . r » I hefcrdthe shot! thought that oue of the - - - guards had shot himself. Then the nones took fright and ran away. Why, they made the old van buzz. That, of course, caused me considerable trepida tion, but Lwas not frightened.” “Will you appeal to the court for addi tional protection ?” “I undoubtedly shall, If the additional protection is not granted without such ap peal, as I am Informed It will be.' I want not leu than six or eight mounted police men to guard the vanTrom the jail to the court and Ingoing from the court back to the jail m the afternoon. Heretofore the mounted police have only accompanied the van in the morning.” “Do yon intend to make an address to tbe court in morning ?" “I have no such intention. I don’t in tend to make any more set speeches. I will in the future get in my work on the sly by seasonable interruptions and inter jections.” “Your lawyers aud the court may bare something to say on the subject,” suggest ed the reporter. “Yon can just put it down,” retorted the assassin, “that I am not going to be muzzled by any suggestion of my counsel or by any ruling of the court. I may have to say somethlug to the court in tbe morning, however,” continued the assaaslo, after a brief meditation. “You see, I understand that Mr ScovUle ob jects to Mr. Robinson’s cross-examination of the doctors. Now I want them to be rigidly cross-examined.” THE UALPBACTICE PLEA. Warden Crocker here interposed an ob jection. He did not think the prisoner should enter into criticism of the conduct of his counsel. “I just want to say this,” quickly put in tha assassin, “tbe doctors must tell their story in full. As I said in open court, I admit tbe shooting but deny the killing. Why, tbo doctors killed tbe President, and I intend that they shall 1 lUSIUUUli AUU A lUtCIJU (.OBt Mej 8uf share wltn me the odium of bia death.” “Du you Intend to insist on tbe plea of malpractice ?” asked tbe reporter. “I do not,” answered tbe assassin; “I solely rest my fate on the plea of insan ity.” “Do you really consider your act an In sane one?” “I most certainly do. The taking off of President Garfield, from its beginning to Us end, was an insane act.” “You surely do not maintain that you are Insane at this moment?” “1 maintain—” Here Warden Crocker emphatically put his official foot down upon any continuation of the trial. Tbe guards say that Guiteau pasted a quiet night and baa talked but little. He spends the moat of bis time in reading and writing. Tbe guards alto say that while he appears perfectly calm and com posed he exhibits great apprehension about to-morrow and that be does not ap pear to be quite satisfied that be will escape violence. There are various ru mors in circulation in the eastern part of tbe city regarding attempts which will be made to shoot the prisoner. Many per sons believe that eoneerted action with that result in view bss been taken since the trial commenced. The Prudent Boarder. das Francisco Poet A new boarder at the Occidental gaaad fixedly at bis plate the other morning, and then Mid: “Is there a reliable physician stopping in ihit bOQM ?” “Tessir,” said the waiter. “Good surgeon, too; eh ?” “Bulifve so, sir.” “Than just ses if hs is in his room before I start on this breakfast. I had a brother choked to death on a steak like that ones, and I’m bound to take all tha necessary precautions. AUfWrSmllEsrsta. Washington Poet. In the rsoent suits for libel against ths Boston Post and the Boston Journal,where tha plaintiff asked pecuniary redress for having been alluded to in these papers as a "thief,” tbe jury awarded him $21 in one case and $31 in the other. Bach a verdict would imply that, although the feet of the plaintiff’s being a thief was not fully sub stantiated, it might as well have been. Fifty dollars between larceny alleged and laroeay committed is a mighty small mar gin for »n honest man to run on. A Conspiracy to Kill a Ban la Order to Bwiattle She Ii paales—The Scheme Carried Oat aa to the Border, bat Slashed aete the Payment mi the Boasy. hew Fork World. A remarkable story of attempted swindling. Involving a cold-blooded mur der, was told to a World reporter yester day at the office of the Mutual Life In surance Company. The principal actor In it has not yet been apprehended, bat the detectives are on his track and it is expected that he will be captured very soon. All tbe documents in this daring scheme, the photographs of the actors and their victim, tbe letters which he and they wrote, are in the possession of the company, and were seen yesterday by the reporter. The story, biiefly told, is as follows: In December, 1878, John W. Hillman made applications for insurance on bis life at Lawrence, Kansas, in tbe offices of the Mutual, ot New York, and tbe Con necticut Mutual Life Insurance com panies. The applications were forward ed to tbe home offices, and in the same month he was insured ior $25,000—S 10,000 in each of the New York companies and $5,000 In the Connecticut Mutual. He paid the first quarterly premium to the three comranies, and then started for the far West, ostensibly for the purpose of es tablishing a cattle ranch. A companion started with him, named John H. Brown. While crossing tbe prairies they met a young tsau named Frederick A. Walters, whom Ililiman hired to accompany them and to tend tbe cattle on tbe ranch. On the evening of March 16, 1870, the party camped a few miles outside of Medicine Lodge, Barbour county, Kansas. The following morning Brown came into the village and announced that bis friend Hillman bad been accidentally shot while removing some goods from tbe wagon. A dbroner’s jury waa empaneled and weut out to the camping ground, where Brown narrated the story of tbe shooting. He said that Hillman and himself bad been traveling together without any com panion in search of a cattle ranch. A verdict of accidental death was rendered, and the body was buried in the cemetery at Medicine Lodge. Walters bad disap peared, and nothing was beard of him. investigating the shooting. When the news of Hillman's death wu brought to his friends in Lawrence they refused to believe tbe theory of accidental shooting, and bad the body exbumed and brought home. Another inquest wu held and an examination of tbe body re vealed the fact that it wu not that of Hillman. Tbe insurance companies agreed to act together and sift the matter to tbe bottom. They baiieved that Hill man wu still alive, and that be and Brown bad procured a corpse for the pur pose of. securing the insurance. Tbe dead mam was not Uke Hillman; his hair wm curly end came down around Ms face, while Hillman’s wu quite straight and brushed back from his forehead. The dead man had the usual number of teeth, wb'Te Hillman wu known to have man -bad been .. aodthajaur wa his am wu quit* fresh and sore. jSTflmaa bad also been vaccinated just before starting on his trip, but tbe doctors certified that the scar on Hillman’s body must have be come cicatrised by that time. Tbe dead body wu taller than Hillman’s, and it wu remembered that Hillman had tried to get bis height falsified while under going the medical examination at the in surance companies’ offices. Tbe fatal wound also wu one which could hardly have been inflicted in the manner de scribed by Brown, and the latter had become very much confuted at the inquest in narrating the details of the occurrence. Altogether U wu evident that the dead man wu not Hillman, but who he wu remained a mystery. THE DEAD MAN IDENTIFIED. A photograph of the corpse wu taken aud unt to various places. It wu first recognised at Fort Madison, la., u that of Frederick A. Waiters, the man who bad joined Brown and Hillman on their supposed search for a cattle ranch. When the photograph was shown to Walter’s lather be at once recognized tbe features u those of his son. He took it home with him, and, accidentally dropping it from his pocket, it wu seen by bis wife and daughter, who at once buret into tears. Several letters of Walters were also found. One to bis sweetheart in Fort Madison, whom be addressed u “Dearest Alvin,” stated that he wu going West with a man named Hillman, who owned a large cattle ranch, and who bad agreed to give him very liberal wagea for his services. He told her to remain constant to him aud he would return lu a tew months with enough money for their marriage. Walters’ brother, C. B. Wal ters, described the body before seeing it, and said that there wu a mole about the size of a pea on tbe left leg. The body fully answered bis description, even to the small mole. This left no doubt that the body wu that of Walton, and that be bad been killed by Hillman and Brown u a substitute for tbe former’s body in order to secure tbe insurance money. CONFESSION BY ONE OF THE CONSP1BA- TOKS. Brown wu arrested and made a full con- foMioo,in Sept. 1870,in Platte county,Mis souri, saying that tbe proceeding wu part of a scheme to defraud the insurance companies. He said he wu acquainted with all tbe parties to the scheme. They were Hillman, Levi Baldwin, Hillman’s father-in-law, Mrs. Baldwin and himself. Baldwin furnished tbs money for the op erations. Hillman wu lo insure his life for $15,000, and Brown and he were to find a body to palm off on the insurance companies. It wu afterwards decided to have Hillman insured for $25,000. “We had no definite plans for the finding of a body, bat tuppceed we could easily get one. We made a trip in the latter part of Dec. 1878, from Wicbila to the West dur ing a heavy show storm, hoping to find some person frozen to death on the road, but did not succeed. Hlliinau and I were alone on that trip. On the 5th ot March we started on a second trip. On this trip we felt in with Wallers, whom Hillman hired to work on a ranch. Hillman said that Waiter* would make a good body for tbe insurance companies. I told him tbe body wu not like his, and that it would not do, and I also protested against the taking of Walters’ life, u murder wu not part of our agreement. Hillman liked tbe idea, however, and pains were taken that not more than two of us should be teen around the wagon. One of us wu always inside. "Hillman bad bun vaccinated before we left on this trip, and one day he ad vised Walters to get vaccinated, u there would be danger of small-pox in the re gion where we were going. Walters con sented and Hillman vaccinated him with a penknife, taking tbe matter from his own arm. This wu relied upon to help establish tha identity of Walters u Hill man also traded off hie clothes with Walters. He gave Walters a lot of un derclothing ana then traded his outside garments. Walters wu an easy going, stupid sort of fe>k>w. He said that his name wu Berkley or Burchell. We mind to kill him. I did not want to become intimate with him. On the evening we got to camp on the 10th of March, Joe wu sitting by the fire. I was at the wagon, trying to get out some things, when I heard a re port and saw the man wu shot. Hillman dragged tbe body to one side aud put one of Ills own books in tbe dead man’s pocket. He then took Joe’s valise and went off. He wu about to tell me where be wu going, but I told bim I did not want to know, u 1 could find ont soon enough. I have never heard of bim sinoa. Mrs. Hillman hu said to roe since iben that she knew where he wu. I also beard that be wa> traveling under the name of William Moss. Baldwin and his wife knew all about thisi” ' SEARCHING FOR THE CHIEF CRIMINAL.. Subsequently Brown escaped and re tracted bis confession, saying tbat he bad been induced to make it'by tbe lawyers for tbe insurance companies, who, he said, had told him tbat if he would make It, and Mrs. Hillman would deliver the policies to the companies be would be permitted to go free. Mia. Hillman did surrender the policies and confessed that she knew her husband was-alive. The Baldwins, Mrs. Hillman and Brown have since disappeared and no trace of them has been foqnd. Hill man himself has be»n frequently seen since theu, and the he is known to be in some of tbe mining cusps around Lead- vilie- The companies have detectives on bis track, and they receive reports of the hunt. Hillman is said to bo a typical Western bravo, and it js surmised tbat tbo detectives are more afraid of him than da- si ro us of gainiug the reward for Ids cap ture. physicians, wbcee sueeeu Is sued fie influence of these „ _ Dr. Bull’s Cough Syrup skiilfally always called hhn Joe. I never made free Jed for_ Immediate use, it foe salt I with him after Hillman bad mads up bis | druggists. A Friendly Uuu. From the Brooklj » Eagle. “flay, mister!” said a fall, sunburned man with- a wide brimmed hat, as he edged bis way into the managing editor’s room yesterday afternoon. “Say, mister, do you kuow anything about keards ?” “Why, yes,” responded the editor, “I know haw to play ‘everlasting’ and fold maid’ and things of tbat kind; why?” 'That’s Just what I want to ask about. Now, iu playing fold maid,’ suppose tbs man who bolds the aga autre, aud passes on tbe draw; wboee bet is it?” “That isn’t tiie way 1 play it,” said the editor. "In my game tbe player who has aqueeu after the other cards are played is tbo fold maid.’ ” “Perhaps it’s ‘everlasting’ that I’m thinking of,” mused tbe stranger. “Sup pose in •everlasting’ yon should catch an old maid on the draw and when tbe rest of the keards was played you found you hadn’t filled. What then ?” "I don’t see how that question ■ could arise in tbat game,” said the editor. “Maybe you are talking of the game of SpOkfe’” >m*i.liVf la'i cl “‘Poker!’ what’s tbat?” asked tbe stranger, looking up in innocent surprise. “That’s where they have ages and fulls and that sort of thing.” "Do you know how to play It, stran ger?” asked the tall man, drawing ont a pack of cards. “Will yon show me how?” Tiie editor ran over tbe cards and dealt two hands rapidly. “Now,” he exclaimed, "two pairs beat one pair, three of a kind beat two, a flush heat* th ere and four of a kind beat a flush. What have you got?” The stranger laid down a mixed hand and the editor explained that it was worth less, as his own hand held a pair. “Letnuie deal ’em once,” said tha stranger, running them off clumsily. “Five each?” “Yes,” replied tha editor, teeing that he had got hold of a sharper and making up his mind to teach him a lesson. “Five each.” “Now, what do we do?” asked tbe sharper. , "If we were betting, I’d have to ante a dollar and you’d cover it with two. Then if I wanted to couie in I’d plank another dollar, and then ——” “Hold on! bold on! don’t go so fast. You put two dollars at different times and I put up two all at unoe. Tbat it?” “Yes, and then we draw.” “Lo’s try it once for fon, if you don’t mind,” said the sharper with unnatural eagerness. "All right,” smiled the editor, and ha threw two dollars ou the table, which were promptly covered. “Now you my we draw/ How many do I take?” "You may take what you like, I don’t want any,” replied the editor. ‘‘I stand paL” “Then l’il take one keard. Do we bet now?” “Yes.” Tbe strauger bet cautiously, and tbe editor raised bim, and was seen until there were fifteen dollars wagered, though there was no money up, beyond tbe ante. “I reckon I won’t bet any more,” said the stranger, timidly—“who beat?” and he laid down four acre. "I beat you,” said tbe managing editor, and he laid down a straight flush. “You owe me fifteen dollars.” Tbe strauger looked at tbe cards some time and then dashed bis fist on tbe table. "You played fair, did ye?” “I did," replied tbe editor. Slowly tbe stranger pulled out a greasy wallet and laid down a twsnly dollar bill. Tbe editor gave bim the change, and the man went out, still running over tbe cards sud wondering bow It happened. “I thought he was a sharp and be was only a flat,” said tha editor, explaining tbe circumstance later to tbe cashier, as be banded in the twenty for change. “Like to oblige yon, old boy," smiled the cashier, “but that twenty Is a coun terfeit.” Parties having business w‘U> tbe man aging editor for a week or two will please come armed. FisnilMCspiM to UMJsak Whop Washington Correepsndeaoetf. The reeklees extrevaganoe of Congress in voting appropriations for printing would amaze tha honest, plain people of the country if they could see the sight I witnessed to-day. Indeed, for some days past I had noticed, in passing, soma labor ers engaged in packing up public docu ments in bags, in one of tbe dark rooms under the bouse of representatives. To day I had tbe curiosity to inquire ot a la borer what it meant, and 1 learned from him that the documents were being thus packed up to be sent to a man who had purchased them for waste paper. Some wagon loads were already packed io bags and piled in the hall under the House, and tbe work seemed to be only e little more than half done. Tbe room bad been peak ed from floor to roiling, and from the door to the farther end. I examined some of the books aa they protruded from the ends of tbe bags, and found them to be hand some]/ printed public documents of va rious kinds, and mostly illustrated with mape, charts, pictures, and diagrams. I inquired of the laborer what was tbs did- ber or quantity of the books thus to be dis posed of, to which be replied that they were supposed to weigh about twenty thoa- sTnd pounds, or tea tons. They are sold at two and a half eents per pound. At this rate they wifi bring beck about MOO of tha many thousands that they oast tha people. The components of Dr. Bull’s Cough Svrup are dally prescribed by the ablest