The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-10-24 00:00:00

LALL RICUITS RESERVED.

i hou dost wrong. Remember, the strictest equili-
trium—"
"You are right, master," interrupted Creusa, most
i•aibmissively ; "and I was wrong to indulge in the
passing thought af vengeance on the man. Yes, I will
dismiss it at your bidding, for am I not your slave?"
And he kissed Riga's hand as he said it.
CHAPTER XXI--(continued). "Not 'my slave, dear Phillipe, only my most
And Mr. Kent, what were his meditations, while cherished friend and pupil. Hark! Someone is at
the door."
uIS friend and client was thus lost to all remembrance
A servant man entered with a note for Dr. Creusa.
of his presence there? Not of an agreeable nature, He opened and read it aloud.
Lest certainly.
" Ma'mselle Bernstein is very ill.
. The subject Mr. Ingestre had chosen to dilate on w
' come to the poor child ? "
cor the last five minutes was utterly foreign to the
1_ wyer's experience. Of love as an emotion he knew " Go, Phillipe; go quickly." And without a word
the doctor hurried away.
Which required a careful drawing up of deeds and ething, and marriage only as a certain covenant
Lina Bernstein had a sick headache, and was lying
eau-de-
settlements before it could be properly entered upon. on the drawing-room sofa, half-drowned in w
Love, such as this client of his talked about, appeared Cologne, when the doctor entered. Madame thought
her very ill, and was weeping copiously by her side.
bt the •
anoer name for incipient madness; and the
broad,
felt creeping over him a fearful dread of that Lina did not seem at all benefited by her mother's
,
oroad, six-foot man as he sat there, looking as lamentations; they increased the pain in her head, she
said, and made her so nervous. So when Creusa came
throughly volcanic as ever did Mount Vesuvius on the
e of an eruption, he politely handed the baroness out of the room, and
_" I wish to goodness he would not make me his said he thought ma'mselle was best alone for a little
time.
confidant in these matters," cogitated Mr. Kent;
: they are not in my way at all. Mr. Ingestre is a The doctor's word was law; so madame dried her
tears, and shut herself up in the library until he took
, ery old client of mine, and I am sure I am always
his departure, when she intended to return.
;a?ost anxious to serve him, and do the best I can for
interests. But when this sort of thing comes to
,i,s "Did you send for me, ma'mselle? " asked Creusa.
in his soft, rich voice, and seating himself in the
be mixed up with them, I don't like it at all, espe-
cially as it seems lie is not quite sound in his mind— vacated chair by the sofa.
Lina shut her eyes tightly, screwed up her little
F. least, so the doctors agree. Good gracious ! I
rosebud of a mouth, and shook her head.
_hope he will not mention that lady again: her very
Oh! dear no, it was mamma. She was not so very
ft.arne seems to act upon his nerves. I would not see
had, only tired with dancing so much last night. So
°lin knock over that chair again for worlds! I will
s. _. sorry he had troubled himself to come so far for her.
su
sgest the expediency of looking after his ward." "Trouble, ma'amselle ! a pleasure you should say.
, He did so, in a voice the least bit raised. Ingestre •
heard, and replied, after a pause: And who did you dance with so much last night as to
cause your illness to-day?"
_ "Would you have me go and poke my ears in that
&aerie hornet's nest you spoke of ?" "Oh, a very great many ; among others, the young
brother of your friend Count de Resimont. Ah ! such
"But surely you have no idea of allowing the young
°lan a beautiful waltzer, and most pleasant partner, too."
to remain subject to her influence? That would
Creusa started just a little, and then fixed his great
scarcely be a wise thing, Mr. Ingestre. He being one
Of your own household, you can never be certain that dark eyes, with a keen, sharp look, on the girl's arch
face.
soisse sort of treachery is not going on."
Was the reply. " I knew perfectly well who was at "I am pretty certain there is treachery already," "My friend,
him,
call him—De R6simont, I mean ;
and being so, is it fair to ask your opinion of
a'mselle ? "
the bottom of that affair on the lake. Maxall took m
ff
" I think him a very remarkable man," she said, not
the impression of the key of my escritoire, and had a
,flinching from the gaze of the other, but fixing all the
duplicate made from it. I found it out in rather a
filngular manner, and I'll tell you how. My mare had strength of her own great orbs on his. "Yes, I think
him a most remarkable and strange being; in fact, a
cast her shoe coming home from Keighly, and so I
complete mystery!"
Went round by the Bottom, that I might leave her at
" And why so, pray ? "
tiawdon's, the farrier and blacksmith. There's a bit
Creusa was not easy; he pulled his long white beard
(4fa green, if you remember, at the cross roads, and
with a nervous movement. Lina laughed.
lf a dozen or so of the school children were playing,
" Wity I think him so is say secret, and I intend to
or rather quarrelling, there just as I passed. I was
keep it, doctor. All I will tell you is this: that the
Walking at the side of the mare, or possibly I should
mystery of Count de Resimont is no mystery to me
1.1,0 t have noticed them. But I did, and saw little Bob
any longer. I have suspected it; something occurred
,awdon being tremendously bullied by all the rest.
last night, and my suspicions were confirmed."
, threatened to thrash time whole of 'em, if they didn't
Creusa rose from his seat, and took a sharp turn up
leave the child alone. And then little Bob blurted
and down the room; then he returned to the sofa, and
'out his tale of woe —how some precious piece of goods
stood there glaring at the girl from under his shaggy
bad been ' theve ' from him by Jim Green, who had
white brows.
Pocketed the same, and then set the tormentors at
She stuffed her lace handkerchief into her mouth,
;urn. I collared Jim, and put my hand into his
but her small figure shook with mirth.
oreeches-pocket, and brought out the wax impression
?f "Miss Lina! I am afraid your remarkable penetra-
a key—of a make so peculiar, that it struck me tion has overturned your brain."
,Tiskedstantly I knew it. I saw Hawdon at the forge, so
" if he had finished making that key yet, of "Not at all, doctor; only it is so laughable, you
Which he had had the duplicate. ' Oh, yes! a week know !"
Zgo ! Mr. Maxall had been clown and fetched it.' I " I cannot say that I think my friend's little secret
tiew then how Maxall had helped himself to those at all laughable. And what use do you intend making
s.ow. I have burnt them." Papers. Thank Heaven! they are not in existence of it ?—publishing it to the only one on earth from
" whom he cares it should be hidden—his brother ? "
"You have, Mr. Ingestre? Pray don't say you have " What !" cried the girl ; "is his only brother
ignorant of what / have found out ? "
,
'Lone that !" cried the lawyer, his face clearly indi-
" Most certainly."
eating his horror and surprise. "That is strange."
e " aave, indeed; and the ashes are given to the '
"There is much that is strange in the life and
lour winds of heaven." affairs of Phillipe de Resimont," was the reply; "and
' "Then you have committed a very rash action."
I think the less Ma'mselle Bernstein interests herself
el:" Of what possible use could they be ?" returned
about him the better for her. Beyond the aggrandise-
`no other, smiling at the lawyer's heat. meat of his brother Ferdinand he has no object on
t, "You have two children, and you ask that ques-
earth—that boy is his all ; and it is for him that the
,;°ll, sir, Good gracious, you must have been
secret you have discovered is persevered in, was first
,nou,ghtless ! See this advertisement in last week's
attempted, and will be carried on to the last. I warn
Papers. Read it; and then I will tell you something
•ng is -,
risi.e you, ma'mselle, to be wary of offending this man: his
Concerning
Ile put the paper into Mr. Ingestre's hand, and friendship is safety—his enmity, death.
Lina's mirth and gaiety vanished. She shuddered,
Pointed to a certain portion, which 'that gentleman
read aloud: and turned away her eyes. !
,
" Ah ! I can well understand that. Trust me, doctor,
, "Wanted to borrow, from “000 to £5OOO, to
I will not betray your friend. I like Mr. Ferdinand
Prosecute a claim upon some property. Every inquiry
well enough, but not so well that I can risk my neck
..‘tliPill be fully and satisfactorily answered by applying
° 3. M., at Saunders and ssell-street, CitY
C 0.,., ~, for him. Yes, I should fancy if Count Phillipe were
e angry with anyone he would kill them."
; Well, and have ?jou lent it ?" And she looked the man in the face with an ex-
" That advertisement caught my eye half an hour
aiter the paper was out of the press; ten minutes pression of bold defiance, which he affected not to
... more it was answered; and the next morning I re- see.
tl
"That is perfectly true, he would. And now,
"rved this letter, confirming my suspicions, but
ma'mselle, can I serve you in any way—alleviate your
affordine• much real information. You perceive a
sufferings?"
Personal' interview is requested. • Johnson went,
"I am much better, thank you, doctor, and shall
‘l.ieaw Saunders, and the whole affair came out. For
be able to take my music lesson after all. My head
.Ive thousand pounds they engage, with the proof
is not so bad now, and a psalm tune or two will do it
i'lleY already possess, to set up Ingram Ross Ingestre
good. Mr. Ingram plays so beautifully ! "
0 the place of your son, whom they declare illeg
lOate." This was said with a sort of coquettish significance
not to be mistaken.
Mr. insrestre removed his cigar from his lips, and
is "Another of your victims, I presume," retorted the
°Pened h eyes a little.
'But, my dear feilow, that is simply absurd. I doctor. " Ma'mselle, I have known you now a year,
Was m
married to Helen Campbell in sonic musty old and they are beyond myreckoning ; but, for mercy's
kirk near Dunkeld. Bless me I remember the circum- sake, spare the count's young brother. If you engross
Stance perfectly well; and have cause to, I should one thought of his heart if "
And the two looked at one another.
kY• And who is this Ingram Ross Ingestre ?"
"A son of your father's brother —that one who
Lina pouted, and shook her bright hair till it
.„..
'usputed your legitimacy. Johnson found out, among sparkled like a halo round her small head.
"Do not fear, doctor; I will not wound the heart of
Other things, that the son, this Ingram Ross, would
our friend's darling. As you say, I have victims
have put in the same plea again; but, from what 9
has fallen from the lips of a most important witness, , enough.
, "
" I will trust you. Adieu."
he Was induced to alter it, and dispute that of your
And he walked straight out of the room, and met
80, Ross. Do you perceive now the amount of
Ingram Ingestre in the hall with his music folio under
.lajurY you have done your own cause, supposing the
;:.'_an is to bring this action, by destroying such his arm.
e.
They merely bowed in passing, but did not speak.
'oleortant documents as those you were possessed
Ingram despised the quack, and was chary of words
with him. He walked on to the library, as was his
4_ "No, I cannot see it. This fellow, whatever claim
custom, but instead of finding Lina at the organ, he
may have, can hardly disturb that of my son to
found the baroness lying on the couch.
Property which belongs to me by every right the law
'au give me. He is a lunatic Kent; du She slowly heaved her large person off the sofa, and
de , an surely you 1
. came forward to give him a hearty greeting. He was
not advise me to take notice of his Bedlamite
I the only Englishman who came to her house, and she
doings. lam George Ross Ingestre, the youngest son
s_Of my father, born in lawful wedlock, and heir to i seemed to have taken him under the shelter of her
Itedfern and all its belongings. This was proved years 1 ample wing, and to look upon him as the receptacle
ago; and there lives not a soul in this world who can I of a large portion of her troubles.
No wonder! His bright English face had gone
deny it."
. And Ingestre looked, as he said this, as though the straight to her heart; his kind, honest eyes told her
that her griefs would be sacred as well as sympa-
Illall, Woman, or child that would deny it might ex- 1
thised with, and that, quiet as his manner was, be-
Peet little short of murder at his hands. His fierce
neath there was all the fire and warmth that could
lenaper was all on fire; and the nervous little lawyer ;
cheer those who chose to seek it.
f Igeteci among his papers, and looked terribly
r'ghtened. IHe had his faults—hard, cruel faults; but beside
A moment after, Ingestre seemed to feel some deA them were arrayed many great and noble virtues.
ee of shame for this outburst. He made a kind of
He took his seat at the organ, and madame sat down
gl !
Zology again.
for his violence of manner, and returned .
1 i Her dearest one was ill, she said; but it was not at
the former subject of their conversation—namely,
all improbable, for all that, she might choose to take
4%xa11.
her music lesson when the doctor was gone: Would
...," I will find and then pack him off abroad some-
'nese, for, left here, the poor little wretch must surely he wait a little time?
Oh, yes; he would wait for Miss Lina, willingly, half
-'Z'43ljae to grief. As for the rest, let them plot. I stand
Ce,"rin ground, and defy them. To dispute my boy's an hour—not more, lie was so busy.
. ,'gltituaey is a farce, and I shall be one among the "Al), that is very kind of you, Mr. Ingrain. You
4srst to laugh at it. No, the fact of his mother bane are always so considerate to me and my Lime lam
sure I wish everyone else was. I am nearly distracted
my Wife is a hideous truth, and bears evidence on the
about a lawsuit I am threatened with by a gentleman
`tee of it. I used to be on the most intimate terms with. lam
t" And you will have to prove it yet, or I am mis-
sure it is most cruel of him to torment me so.
i I
'en n what these people mean to do. Saunders is
should not have come to England had it not been for
Ilt Sharp lawyer, and won't go into the thing unless he
this, for we have our apartments in Paris and our
.1, Ills something is to be made out of it. They say
",liateau in—.
t.,;,e_rYthing depends upon the testimony of this wit-
" You must know, Mr. Ingram," continued
•48; but who that is we have not found out yet.
madame, "I have a little property in England, inherited
f,,„'leon fancies he is on the scent. I can trust him,
eey.e under my father's will. My father was a —shire
Warrington, and the Warringtons had been land
th" Foolery ! Have I not a witness more important
"art all? Can I not bring,—? Bali! Kent, you stewards to the Ingestres of Redfern for the last 300
'are
/to infected! Take a glass of wine, and drink to years. Well, Westwood Farm bad been leased to them
ss's coming of age. Another! And the toast shall from father to son for all that time; and when my
--Catherine !" poor father died (he was the last of the Warringtons)
be
he left Westwood to use for the period of theunexpired
lease; and I am sure it has been nothing but a source
of trouble and annoyance to me ever since. Every
tenant it has had has been disagreeable in some way
or the other to George Ingestre, and lie behaves in
such an offensive manner that they will not stop. It
is his wish, it seems, to pull down the dwelling-house,
, and turn it into stable', for his bunters; and
_so he
hopes to worry me into letting him have possession
. before the lease is out. He declares the farm is going
t s rassis and ruin; that the crops are never off the land
till they are fit to manure it; and, oh, dear me! now
he is going to law about it. lam sure, rather than
pay a lawyer's bill, I will let him have it a thousand
times over. What do you advise, Mr. Ingram?"
But before he could reply, the door opened, and
I Lina entered, wearing a demure appearance. and
looking now perfectly well.
(To be continued.)

Will Dr. Creusa

CHAPTER XXII.
A SECRET DISCOVERED.
fPCTOIt, RIGA was an old and reverend-looking
;orman; a man of profound science, of abstruse theo-
,s'eS, and small practice—at least in London. The
vublic at large knew nothing of him; and the few
&Vie who bdid were rather startled at the truly
Zohderful cures effected by this simple-looking old
'l4ll, by the simplest and yet most wonderful means.
Riga was the head—Creusa, was the band; and to-
'Aher they worked well. Creusa's fame was widely
BPread in all Continental cities; and people there were
Zho looked upon his dark bright eyes, and hinted that
exercised his powers by an agency more than
znortal.
Re had his worshippers, as well as his detractors;
/31141 among the former, as we have seen, were the
f_aroness Bernstein and her daughter, whose recovery
(319111,a nervous disorder was attributed solely to one
ilLet.he doctor's miracles. He took her by the hands—
looked into her eyes: ma'mselle slept, and awoke
a lAnd now we have the doctor and his pupil holding
earned
conversation together itn the little dark room
diT• a calls his laboratory. With that portion of their
111.se we have nothing to do; and it is not until a
• occurs, and Creusa commences again in the
lanQ:uage, that anything passes of sufficient
,rest to record here.
lookroventeen years ago," said Creusa, thoughtfully,
at the other; "seventeen years ago, master,
4`,'11 remember."
4,4lllventeen years ago! let me see!" said Riga.
raai 'Yes! I was a younger man then; and in
Was I not?'
On Were; and / have good reason to remember
master"
Khe,•
came a short pause. At last Liga said:
savalilliPe, thou hadst a narrow escape, then; but r
tb thee. I did it. I knew even then that such a
Ittia.lo:B. to be accomplished, dead as thou clid'at
5h4,411!" interrupted the other, with a visible
Sati "Good friend, I cannot hear it spoken of,
1:4447 Sane. It is too horrible. But the man—the
here in England I am upon his track He
m -
e to suffer that agony—or, rather, for
k e I had nearlY died—is ready now to fall
ep of my revenge. Be cannot escape."
oked up. -
P• upil, was it to revenge yourself upon a
:• attire that I snatched you from the grave?
ett .or that you were initiated into the mysteries
4 Ved—given power, that you might abuse it?
that you miat pervert its use? Phillipe.

CENTRAL and ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS
OF AGRICULTURE.
The Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire (chairman) and
Mr. Pickering Phipps (vice-chairman) of the Council
of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agricul-
ture have sent to the chairmen and officers of the
Chambers of Agriculture in association an address
requesting that the subjects referred to below should
1 be brought before Parliamentary candidates with a
view to elicit their opinions up3n them, viz. As to
cattle disease : (a) The rigid exclusion of contagion
1 from abroad by restricting importation from infected
countriee ; (b) The most prompt and effective regu-
lations to limit the spread of disease at home. As to
1 loeal taxation : (a) Immediate action, without further
delay on any account, to relieve real property from
its unfair share of local rates ; (b) An endorse-
ment of the recommendation of the Royal
Commission on Agriculture, that the cost of main-
taining the indoor poor and lunatics should be
defrayed by imperial taxation; tha certain imperial
taxes should_be transferred to local authorities in aid
of other local expenditure; and that, without. dis-
turbing exlstirg contracts of tenancy, all rates should
be borne equally by owners and occupiers; (c)
Resistance to all new and increased rates for any
object whatsoever until relief has been given from the
present incidence of taxation. As to railway charges:
(a) Resistance to any proposal to increase rates on
agricultural produce; (b) Cessation of preferential
rates to foreign produce on English lines. As to
local government: The establishment of representa-
tive county boards. As to agricultural and trade
depression: The necessity of ParliamentarY inquiry.