Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-07-17

Hartley and Simpson you say 2" he
remarked after we had walked away to
some distance ''those are only two of
their numerous aliases. 1 cannot, how
ever say that / am as yet on very fami-
liar terms with them but as am es-
pecially directed 10 cultivate their ac-
uuaintance, there is no doubt we shall be
more intimate with each other before
long. Gamblers, blacklegs, snindlers, /
know them to be; and would
take odds they are not unfrequently some
thing more, especially when fortune and
bones run cross them"
They appear to be in high feather
Just now," | remarked.
"Yes: they are connected, l suspect
with the gang who cleared out young Gar
slade last week in Germyn Street. I'd
lay a trihe," added my friend, as / turned
to leave him, "that one or both Of then
will wear the queens livery, grey turnfd
up with yellow, before many weeks ale
passed. Goodbye"
About fortnight after this converse
ton 1 and my wife paid visit to Ast
ley's, for the qualification of our young
sters, who had long been promised asigh
of the equestrian marvels exhibited a
that celebrate amphitheatre. 1t was th'
latter end of February; and when W,
came out of the theatre, we found th'
weather had changed to dark and sleety
with share, nipping wind. | had to cal
at Scotland Yard; my wife and children
consequently proceeded home in cal
without me; and after assisting to quel
slight disturbance originating in gin
palace close by, | went on my way owe
Westminster Bridge. The inclemen
weather had cleared the streets and thor
oughfares in a surprisingly short time; s.
that, excepting myself, no foot-passenge
was visible on the bridge till had abou
half-crosed it, when female figure, close
ly mufiled up about the head, and sob
bing bitterly, passed rapidly by on tn
opposite side. / turned and gazed afte
the retreating figure: it was a youthful
oy nIIuttricaI one, aud after few me
ments' hesitation, | determined to follo'
at distance, and as unobservedly as
could. On the woman sped, withou
pause or hesitation, till she reached Ast
Iley's where l observed her stop sudden
| ly, and toss her arms in the air with
gesture Of desperation. l quickene
my steps, which she observing, uttered
slight scream, and darted swiftly OFF agai
moaning and sobbing as she ran. Th
slight momentary glimpse ! had obtain
ed of her features beneath the gas-lam
opposite Astley's, suggested frightfl
apprehension, and / followed at my u
most speed. She turned at the fir
cross street, and | should soon have owe
taken her, but in the darting round Il
corner where she disappeared, | ran fl
butt against stout, elderly gentlema
who was hurying smartly along out
the weather. What with the sudde
ness Of the shock and the slipperiness
the pavement, down we both reeled; al
, by the time we had regained our fe'
and growled savagely at each other, t
young woman, whoever she was, disa
peared, and more than half an hou
eager search after her proved fruitle
At last bethought me Of hiding at o
corner of Westminster Bridge. L b
> watched impatientIy for about TWEEN
s minutes, when | observed the object
my pursuit stealing timidly and lurtive
I towards the bridge on the opposite 81
of the way. As she came nearly abrei
u of where l stood, I darted forward; S
{ saw without recognising me, and utt'
l. ing an exclamation of terror, flew do
+ towards the river, where a number
ID pieces of balk and other timber We
a fastened together, forming a kind Of lo'
N raft. | followed with desperate has
a for | saw that it was indeed Mary Kin
ct ford, and loudly calling to her by ma
g to stop. She did not appear TO hear
Id and in a few moments the unhappy
n, had gained the end of the timber raft.
OF One instant she paused with clasl
d. hands upon the brink, and in another
ne thrown herself into the dark and mo
ling river. On reaching the spot wh
p, she had disappeared, l could not at {
e. see her in consequence Of the dark mou
er ing dress she had on. Presently l eau
I'D sight Of her, still upborne by her sPr
is, clo.hes, but already carried by the s.
sc, current beyond my reach. The Q
he chance was to crawl along piec
Tia round timber which projected fart