Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-29
GQlOrtestrr Daily Spp.
THE DWARF OF THE OLD OAK CHEST
Complete in Three Chapters.


He looked around but could see no signs of
the building he had left, and from the appear
ance OF the scene, as far as he could Judge bv
moonlight he thought he must be in forest
but he cared not, for any place where he was
at liberty would have med paradise to him.
The cold was intense, but he fortified him
self against it, and then he set forward briskly
along narrow path that, in about an hour
brought him to the verge of the wood
lie was now upon a wide heath, which he
traversed without meeting with single human
being, and the first inhabited place he came to
was small hamlet; but as no one was stirring
there he still went ON, though he was by this
time very much fatigued.
AT length he deserted solitary farm house
with some out-buildings, where he thought he
might find shelter for a few hours nor was he
disappointed, for a barn door stood lnvl1ngly
OPEN and inside he found u truss OF straw, that
' served him tor bed, and lie slept there till
dawn Of day.
He was awakened by the barking of the dogs,
and, not wishing to be observed, again set forth
rested and refreshed, for he had eaten some of
the food he had brought with him, and now
that he could see the country he felt satisfied
that he was not out OF England, an opinion
that was soon confirmed by his arrival at a
large village, where he learned that he was
about five miles from the city of York To
York then he determined to 90, and he reach
ed the market place just as the clocks were
striking ten.
His first care was to secure place by the
earliest coach for London, which he was told
would start from the inn at twelve O'Clock,
and then he ordered some breakfast and a
newspaper, intending by means of the latter to
find out without asking the question, what
was the month and the day, for he was still
ignorant on those points.
81 am afraid we have no paper later than
Monday, sir" said the waiter.
every well, bring me that Let me see,
this is Thursday"
"No, sir, Wednesday,"
"Ab, yes, Wednesday. Well, never mind,
let me have Mondays paper"
The paper was brought, and he discovered
that Monday was the 18th day of January.
consequently this was the 2lst; therefore he
might yet be with Mary on the anniversary
OF his departure, which was the 9th.
But he found some intelligence in this paper
of even more importance than the date 1t
was the death of the Vicar of Springfield and
the announcement of his own succession to
the benetice. This was unexpected news in
deed. lie was now comparatively a rich man.
and there was nothing TO prevent his immedi-
ate union with her he had so long and fondly
loved. Joytully and with grateful heart he
commenced his journey being amply supplied
with money for travelling expenses in cOnse-
quence Of his own prudent foresight in having
secreted his bank notes, and on reaching Lon
don he only stayed to take the necessary
steps with regard to the transfer of the living,
and then proceeded with all speed to Wood
stock, for it was near that town the Archers
resided.
1t was the twenty seventh of January, 1880,
late in the evening. Mary was sitting oppo-
site the fire with some work in her hand but
gazing pensively on the showers of bright
sparks ascending the wide chimney, and think
ing OF him who, on that same evening, the
previous year. had sat by her side painting
with hopeful spirit their happy future, when
marriage bliss should crown their youthful
love and ConStancv.
81 am very sorry to see you so thoughtful,
Mary, SAID her mother, closing the book she
had been reading; "it looks as if you were
unhappy, my child"
81 will try to feel differently after tomorrow,
dear mother; but l cannot help thinking how
this day was last year spent. Oh, how happy
was then"
the house-door. Mary started up-her heart
beat wildly. 1t was so like his knock.
Then voice was heard.
at is he it is he y she exclaimed and the
next instant she was clasped in his arms
All remembrance OF his seeming inconstan.
cy and his reported marriage was lost in the
ecstacy Of this unIooked-tor meeting.
"Mary I"
"Everard %
The name of each was all that either of them
for a while could utter.
But Mrs. Archer did not lose sight of the
condemnng circumstances that should have
restrained the young girls joy, and she said
with an air OF severity that was not natural to
her -
''Mary you forget what is due to yourself,
and what is due to your future husband. Mr..
Newton, you must be aware that this visit is
totally unexpected. Your marriage broke all
ties between US, and though l presume from
your coming here that your wife is no more, it
does not alter present relations. My
daughter is no longer free"
"My marriage my wife p repeated the
astonished young man. "What can you
mean 2"
at was not true, then ?" said Mary. 'You
are not married 2"
"Oh, no ! no! Who has poisoned your
mind with such a talsehood? Since the night
left you till three days ago l have been kept
close prisoner do not know by whom or
for what but L have escaped, and come here
to claim my promised bride, for am now Vi
car of Springfield"
"Thank God p Mary calculated fervently,
cit is not too late"
Everything was now told, and new light
broke in upon Eyerard's mind
81 see it all now" he said "Mr. Lonsdale
is villain. 1t is he who has contrived the
\ whole OF this plot to take you from me-"
7 And when the first emotions of surprise
Nwere in some degree abated, and they were
able to talk composedly of the events that had
taken place, all were agreed that the bland old
gentleman, who appeared so mild and anna
BILE was deteStable at heart and canable of any
wickedness.
He had gone to London to make arrange
ments in contemplation Of his marriage with
Mary, but he never returned, for he heard of
Everard's escape, and, moreover that police
officers were sent into Yorkshire to search out
the place OF his confinement, and take the
people there into custody. Thus he knew
that all must be discovered, so he placed his
estate in the hands Of an agent and went back
to Italy,
1t was not long before the information was
sent to MIR. Newton, that the man who called
himself Wolfe was safely lodged in York gaol,
and was willing to confess to his late prisoner
who it was that employed him, and with what
intent.
Everard went down Immediately, and the
man, with many expressions OF contrition, told
nm long story, the substance Of which was
This; He and his wife had been left, by
nobenan who had gone abroad, in charge Of
an old mansion house in the north of York
S,iHe MIR. Lonsdale came there and tempted
nun WIN Il sum OF money to assist in wayay-
lug MI; Newton when he left Woodstock, and
yihs nm to that obscure place. where he
was 10 oe detained a prisoner till orders were
sent to release him.
"oile accomplice was an Italian belong
ing 10 MIR. Lohsdale's household and was lie
PTlncipal ACTOR to the drama. Ii was he who