The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-12-18 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER

r orgive tier I
That would he! Lay down his own life for hers,
if might be, stained with guilt as she was. The love
that Noel Atherstone had felt for her who could never
be ought but a bitter memory to him now was not all
gone, and many a weary hour of pain and trial must
;ass ere he could think of what had, what might have
,en, without a pang.
He could do nothing now that was the most
terrible part of all—nothing but strive to soothe the
fast-fleeting soul with words of kindness and of pity—.
words that did not fall upon unheeding ears, though
she was unable to reply to them; she heard and un-
derstood but her broken appeal to Noel was the last
of her intelligible speech.
And the day that was to have been the commence-
ment of a long life of happiness and love wore slowly
away, till, just about the time when the sun faded
away in its golden splendour, flooding the west with a
rich glow of crimson, the end came.
There was a brief time of sharp suffering, and then
—silence! All that was mortal of her who had assumed
the name and place of the young mistress of Ather-
stor.a Grange, and fluttered so bravely in the sunshine
of fortune, lay cold and still before those whom she
had deceived so wickedly. Her spirit had passed beyond
their ken, to stand before a higher, a mightier tribunal
than man's.
In another room of the darkened house, watched by
a policeman, was Mrs. Dalton, all unconscious of what
had happened—never to know it, was Dr. Tw:st's
opinion, which was confirmed by the physician for
whom they telegraphed to London—a man skilled in
cases of insanity.
By the time he came, the evil woman whose counsels
had wrought such bitter woe was well in health but
her mind was a complete blank.
Truly, as Mr. Atherstone had said, in some instances
madness is a merciful affliction.
There was an inquest, and a verdict of a coroner's
jury upon the poor corpse that lay so white and still
in the old house, clad still in the bridal dress she had
worn when her own hand forestalled the law. It was
a merciful verdict--though some were for a harsher,
perhaps a truer one; and at the end of a few days
there was a very quiet funeral early in the morning, at
an hour no curious sightseers dreamed of such a thing,
and Ursula Rhodes was laid beneath the green turf
of Lillington churchyard, dressed in the robes that
she had donned for so different an occasion.
This had been Noel's wish.
"Bury it all," he had said with a shudder. "Who
could wish to see them again after—"
And so it was done; and the filmy veil was wrapped,
shroud-like about alloand put out of sight for ever.
Only Noel and his father, accompanied by Dr. Twist
attended the funeral, Mr. Atherstone himself reading
such prayers as he deemed most fitting for the occasion,
in a faltering voice. Jem Statman was the only other
witness, as he came out of a nook in the corner of the
churchyard when all was over.
Noel turned away—he could not bear the sight of
the man; but Dr. Twist stopped and spoke to him.
"You can tell 'em that the boy's dead, sir," he said
in answer to the doctor's inquiries. "What I was
told was quite true—he only woke to die—and all
through—"
"Hush !" said the doctor sternly. "She has paid
all earthly debts for whatever sin she has committed;
the rest is beyond us. If you and that poor weak lad
had done your duty, instead of trying to extort hush-
money, one crime at least might have been spared
her."
The man answered never a word, but slunk away,
and from that time forth was never seen near [Ailing-
ton. Jack Blogg's body found a resting-place not far
from that of her who had sent him to his death; but
before he was buried Dr. Twist had left the place with
Mr. Masters to return to London.
"Never heard of a more remarkable imposture in
my life, or one so well sustained," said the manager.
"But one thing I can't quite understand now."
"And that is ?"
'The scar on her forehead. When I saw that I felt
convinced that she must be the same Beryl Atherst one
I had known as a child."
66 11'm 1" answered Dr. Twist reflectively. "On the
contrary, it was just that which gave me my first sus-
picions.
" Why ?"
"Because when I first saw it on shipboard, it was
a new wouni She was a clf ver girl was Miss Rhodes,
but she hardly took into account the sharpness of a
doctor's eye when she tried to palm it off upon me."
It was not until the first horror and agitation of
these events had passed away that Mr. Atherstone—
possessor of the Grange now—could bear to look intc
the tremendous array of facts which had been gathered
together to prove the guilt of the dead girl and her
accomplice. But it is needless to recapitulate all that
was so new to him--that must have been so plain
to all who have perused this record of a guilty career.
Noel would not listen to a word concerning it.
"Nothing can undo what is," he said sadly, "I
have sufferei enough without wishing to probe the
wound."
There was no talk now of his leaving the service.
Much as the rector desired to keep him at home now, he
felt that action would be the best panacea for his suf-
fering, and Noel Atherstone went on with his pre-
parations for departure, and the time drew on when
he must go.
Mrs. Atherstone strove to dissuade him from his
purpose, indeed, but even to her pleadings he was
deaf.
"I could not bear my life in England yet," he
answered. " Some day, perhaps—but it is no use talk-
ing of that now."
There was nothing said as yet about Lillian's mar-
riage. That must not be spoken of until he was away
they decided; but Noel himself broached the subject
to Graham Carson the night before his departure for
Southampton.
"You must not think me morose or selfish," he
said, with a touch of his old heartiness. "But just
at present it would be more than I could bear to see."
"And you are not angry with me, Noel, for my
share in bringing your misery about ?"
"Don't speak of it," hastily exclaimed the young
man. " No— not angry—but it is painful to me. I
understand now, of course, why you wished your own
marriage postponed. I hope you may be happy. I
am rem you will, Graham, for my sister Lily is worthy
any man's love."
He was turning away when he came slowly back with
something in his hand.
"Give this to her," he said. "From yourself mind.
Do not let her know—for I—l bought it for—she
never wore it—never even saw it," he added hastily, as
he saw the look of doubt on Graham Carson's face.
"No—it was not that," said the young man. "But
it is very costly, Noel."
"It was to have been my wedding gift. Make it
yours."
And he pressed the glittering diamonds into Graham
Carson's reluctant hand, and left him.
The next day saw him on board the Peninsular and
Oriental boat en route for the East.
What more remains to be told of our story?
But little, indeed, except so far as this, that as no
single life can exist without being intertwined with
others, so that the records of one must introduce many
more who still move, and breathe, and have their
being.
The story of Ursula Rhodes is indeed written and
ended; but those whom that life influenced still live,
and Time, the great healer of all, has brought conso'a-
tion to those concerned in the dark history of her
crimes.
To Allan Temple, working and rising in his profes
sion, cheered hy the smiles of pretty Cara—not Bellasys
now, though she still preserves that name in the bills.
To Mr. Atherstone and his wife who still abide in the
rectory, leaving the great house, with its dark
memories, till teey can be chased away by younger
hearts.
To Lillian and her husband—happy and prosperous
comes forgetfulness of that dark time; and after many
months of hard work and campaigning, a brighter,
cheerier look to Noel Atherstone, doing his duty, nobly,
far away beneath the sultry skies of India.
And to another—a grey-haired, bent figure, cowering
in a darkened room, whit h she never leaves—comes
forgetfulness to.—hut it is the obl vion of despair;
and who shall say that even here, there is no glimmer-
ing of reason ever and again when the soul of the gut
Angela Delphini may suffer some share of the pu.tish
merit due to 1 er crimes ?

lIF E"1)

. _
rIIE COLIN CAMPBELL DIVORCE H
Lady -Colin further atated that after the interview
at Sion ouse she made the entries in her diary fuller
SUITS. than she otherwise should. She was anxious to be
able to account for every minute of her time, as she
The hearing of the combined suits instituted b
knew she was being watched. Up to the time of her
Lady Cohn Campbell against her husband, and b
marriage she enjoyed robust health. When Signor
Lord Colin Campbell against his wife, the Duke of
Tosti went to give her music lessons she was desirous
Marlborough, Captain Shaw, Sir William Butler, and
that she should not be' interrupted, as that gentle-
Mr. Thomas Bird was resumed on Saturday in the 's time was valuable. It was possible that Mr.
Divorce Division of the High Court before Mr. Jus-
tice Butt and a special jury. This was the 12th day Bouverie might have seen her sister at race-meetings,
but not witness. Her sister was only about half an
of the hearing. inch shorter than she was. Lady Miles made sug-
The counsel engaged were as follow: For Lord potions to her in reference to Mary Watson and
Colin Campbell, Mr. R. Finlay, Q.C., M.P., Mr. Lock- Lord Colin before she made the communication to
wood, Q.C., M.P., and Mr. R. Searle; for Lady Colin Mr. Lewis,
Campbell, Sir C. Russell, Q.C., M.P.; Mr. Inderwia, The Court adjourned, Lady Colin's re-examination
Q.C., and Mr. C. Matthews; for the Duke of Marl- having been commenced, but not being completed.
borough, Sir R. Webster Q.C., M.P. (Attorney-
General), and Mr. Lewis Coward; for Captain Shaw,
Mr. Gully, Q.C., M.P., and Mr. C. Strong; for Sir
William Butler, Mr. Murphy, Q C., and Mr. Synott;
and for Mr. Bird, Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., M.P. (Solicitor-
General), and Mr. Terrell.
Lady Cohn on entering the witness-box was accom-
modated with a seat. Her examination in chief by
ltfrlnderwick was soon concluded. Witness admitted
that she wore an emerald ring, as Duffy stated, but
absolutely denied that she hid it (by turning the
stones round) when in her husband's presence. Had
there been anything to hide, she added, she should
not have worn it at all. The ring was not given her
by a gentleman, but was lent her by Lady Miles. In
May, 1883, witness had an interview with Lord
Colin in reference to her taking back what he
called "the cruel message" she had sent him.
She said she would take it back, but entreated
him, for God's sake, to let her alone. He said, "You
have no right to send me such messages as that."
Witness rejoined, "It is not a determination I have
come to in five minutes; it is the result of intense
suffering, both physically and mentally, to me, and I
shall keep to it until the last day of my life. If you
were to force me to sleep with you, you would find
me dead beside you on the pillow in the morning."
Lord Colin, witness continued, said he would sepa-
rate from her if she did not give way. Her reply was
that she was entirely in his hands; she Nuts willing to
take care of him in every way that she could; but that
if there was to be a separation bstween them it must
be an open, public one, and everyone must know the
cause. Mr. Inderwick : Had you any reason for the
separation being an open one ?—Because I would not
allow his family to go about giving what version they
pleased. I told him, however, that I was willing
to keep the whole matter secret, as I had done
up to that time, except from the doctors.
He said I had better go and consult my
mother. Next day, witness continued, she went
to town and consulted her mother, and then came the
family council at Thurloe-square, at which, for the
first time, on July 20, any suggestions were made in
reference to her. It was absolutely untrue that the
Duke of Marlborough put her into the hands of Mr.
Lewis; he had nothing whatever to do with it. Her
sister took her to Mr. Lewis. After the interview at
Thurloe-square her petition was filed on Aug. 1, and
she went to live with her mother on the 2nd. Mr.
Inderwick : Were any charges at all brought against
you until these proceedings in November, 1884? Wit-
ness: None whatever.
Cross-examined by Mr. Lockwood, Lady Colin said
she first, became acquainted with Lord Blandford in
1880. She was not in constant correspondence with
him. The letters she had received she did not keep.
The signature Lord Blandford used was "B," with a
small "d" after it, and she subscribed herself "Yours
sincerely, G.E.C." He addressed her as Lady
Cohn." Mr. Lockwood: Do you mean, Lady Colin,
that that was the manner in which you and Lord
Blandford habitually addressed each other ?
Witness : Certainly, and in no other way. What
have you done with all these letters P—Will you
withdraw the word " all? " Certainly; I will
say "any."—l have told you already Ido not keep
letters. Had you much correspondence with Colonel
Butler?—No. Have you seen Colonel Butler hero
since this trial commenced ?—I cannot say. Do you
know where he is ?—Yes, at Dinan. Do you know
when he went to Dinen ?—lt was some time this year.
I saw Mrs. Butler in July last. Mr. Justice Butt: I
did not gather from Mr. Murphy that he intended to
call his client. Mr. Lockwood: Do you know, Lady
Colin, whether we shall have the pleasure of seeing
Colonel Butler ?—Witness : I still hope he will
appear.
Witness, who had kept a diary (produced), having
been questioned as to the charitable works in which
she engaged, and her literary work, said that when
she went to Leigh Court Lord Colin knew and was
anxious that she should pay the visit. Witness deci-
sively maintained thet Lord Colin advised her to
take certain precautions when he was with her, She
had bee,' attended by Sir Oscar Clayton, but refused
to be examined by him, as the idea was repulsive to
her.
Mr. Lockwood: The person who did examine
you was Me. Bird 7—Witness: Yes, sub sequently.
Mr. Bird you knew very well in social life?—l had
met him at Lady Miles's. We were acquainted.
Had you not known him from your childhood ?
Certainly not.
Mr. Justice Butt: That impression has been con-
veyed to me by somebody.—The Solicitor-General:
I may have used an expression which conveyed that
impression.— I did not exactly know at the time. Mr.
Justice Batt: You say that is a mistake? —Lady
Colin : It is a mistake.
Mr. Lockwood: How long have you known Mr.
Bird ?—Sinee 1878 or 1879.—1 s Mr. Bird a younger
man than than Sir Oscar Clayton or Mr. Probert ?
lam sure Ido not know. He looks as old.—At any
rate, you consulted for the perpose of examination a
man with whom you had been on terms of soeial
intimacy ?—I consulted the doctor under whose hands
I had been for two months.
Pressed by counsel as to the interview at Sion
House, Lady Colin stated that she then used the
woras in relation to her committing suicide which she
had given that morning, and that it was in her mind
to do so. Mr. Lockwood: Did you ever mention
that purpcoe before to-day ? Witness : I men-
tioned it frequently to Mr. Lewis. You were exa-
mined at the former trial ?—Yes, slightly. Did you
mention this threat to commit suicide which you
say was uttered deliberately P—l cannot say ; you
will see by the shorthand notes. Do you
mean to say your mind is uncertain whether it
is so or not?—! do not know. Do you wish me to
repeat every single word I said at the last trial?
Mr. Lockwood: Not unless it is necessary, Lady
Cohn, in answer to my questions, and that necessity
has not yet arisen. Continuing, witness stated that
her illness interfered with her social pleasures. Her
appearance was remarked upon by her friends. At
the time they were living in Cadogan-place Lord Colin
attended directors' meetings in the City to increase
their income, and sometimes complained of the
length of the meetings.
Cross-examined as to her acquaintance with Lord
Blandford, witness said that she first knew . him in
1881. He was then a friend of her married sister.
She knew some time before that be had misconducted
himself with Lady Aylesford. That did not make
any difference in their acquaintanceship. She knew
Lady Blandford fairly well. Lord Blandford was not
a friend of hers at that time; he was merely an
acquaintance. She heard that he was divorced from
his wife after that event occurred. That did not
interfere with their social acquaintance. Lord
Blandford lent her Bacon's " Essays" and "The
Intellectual History of Europe." Probably she dis-
coursed with him on these books at his afternoon
calls. Mr. Lockwood: We have heard that Lord
Colin complained that Lord Blandford had an
"evident admiration" for you. Had you noticed
that admiration? No; I laughed at him. When I
spoke to Capt. Shaw about his calling, he said, "flow
ridiculous these Campbells are!" D'd you think
that was respectful to your husband? I thought it
was a natural reply under the circumstances.
Witness stated that she was in the habit of making
up the weekly accounts of household expenses on
Saturday. The accounts for the week ended August
12 were made up on Monday. That one was not in
her handwriting. Mr. Lockwood: You have your
diary relating to the Saturday ?—Yes. What do you
see in it ?—There is one entry relating to my
mother's health, and another to a theatre. Is
there any entry that would suggest any engage-
ment which would prevent your making up your
accounts as usual on that day? There is
nothing but those two entries in the book.
When was that entry written ?—Before I left.
It was made two or three days previously, when the
engagement was made.—You see that it is written in
entirely different ink from the entry above it? Mr.
Justice Butt (interrup'ing) : What is the entry above
it? Mr. Lockwood: "Mother very poorly." There
are two lines left, and then comes the entry: "Theatre
with Zisca," You say you first heard of the charge
with regard to Purfleet when the petition was filed?
—Yes. And yon at once looked back to your diary?
—Yes. Did you communicate to Mr. Lewis that
your diary could explain where you were at this time?
—I suppose I did.
Mr. Loctcwood : Now, with regard to the cabman;
was it or was it not an out.-of-the-way thing to have
a cabman in your bedroom? Lady Cohn: A most
out-of-the- way thing. Then how came you to do it?
—I was under the influence of narcotics, and I
scarcely knew what I did. I merely gave the man a
note, and told him to deliver it to Lady Miles. Mrs.
Duffy was so stupid that she could not tell the man
what to do. Continuing, witness said she had the
Duke of Marlborough's photograph, and be had hers.
She had known Captain Shaw for many years. She
did not recollect meeting him once on the doorstep
while O'Neill was in her service, or any occasion on
which Capt. Shaw went into the dining-room. The
expostulation of Lord Colin with respect to Capt. Shaw
was not earlier than March, 1882, and Captain Shaw
was never in the house after April 5,1882. t Witness
altogether denied the statement that when Colonel
Butler was with her in the drawing-room she cams
Jut and called out "not at home." It was her sister
who was (lead. Colonel Butler was not in the
3rawing-room. She had ho a Colonel t3utler's visits
to her in her mind, and the evidence of Messrs.
Duffy and Ellen ITawk es on the subject was abso-
lutely false. Mr. Bird !eight heve been introduced
to her by Lady Miles. Ile might have been in her
room from four in the afternoon until 11 at night;
but she had no recollection of such a thing. After
Mr. Bird had been with her to the concert at New
Cross she made an entry in her diary under April 5,
leB3. The entry was—" Concert at New Cross; felt
horribly ill; stayed at Bird's house to have draught
to make me sleep. Neuralgia dreadful."