East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-08-01

4
tial acquicscence. Go s7n rao,illsaa IN
/ Her ladyship proceeded, and / in sub
stance obtained the following information
| Mr.. Charles Merton, during the fev
months which had elapsed since the at
tainment of his majority had very lite
rally ''fallen among thieves" A passion
for gambling seemed to have taken entir
possession of his being; and almost ever,
day of his haggard and feyerish life wa
spent at play A run of ill-luck---accord
ing to his own belief--but in very trutl
run of downright robbery--had set il
against him., and he had not only dissi
pated oil the ready money which he hat
inherited, and the large sums which thC
foolish indulgence of his lady mother hat
supplied him with, but had involved him
self in bonds, bills, and other obligations
TO frightful amount. The principa
agent in effecting this ruin was ono
Sandford---a man Of fashionable and
dashing exterior and the presiding spirit
of the desperadoes whom | was commits.
stoned to hunt out. Strange to say, Mr.
Merton had the bliudest reliance on this
mans honor; and even now---tricked
despoiled as he had been by him and his
gang-relied upon his counsel and assist.
ance for his escape from the desperate
position in which he was involved. The
Everton estates had passed in default OF
male issue, to a distant relative of the
lord; so that ruin, absolute and irremedi.
able, stared both the wretched dupe and
his relatives in the face. Lady Everton'a
fortune was not very large one, and
her SON had been permitted to squander
sums which should have been devoted to
the discharge of claims which now press
ed harshly against her. .at
Listened with the deepest interest to
Lady Everton's narrative. Repeatedly
during the course of it, as she accider.
tally alluded to the manner and appear
ance of Sanford, who had been introduced
by Mr.. Merton to his mother and sister,
a suspicion, which the police papers had
first awakened, that the gentleman in
question was an old acquaintance of my
own, and one, moreover, whose favors L
was extremely desirous to return in kind
flashed with increased conviction across
my mind. This surmise | Of course
kept to myself, and after enphatically
cautioning the ladies to keep our pro-
ceedings profound secret from Mr..
Merton, ! took my leave, amply provided
with the resources requisite for carrying
into effect the scheme which | had re-
solved upon. ] also arranged that, in.
stead Of waiting personally on her lady
ship, which might excite observation and
suspicion, | should report progress by
letter through the post.
III it should be hep thought ], as l
emerged into the street. The bare supo-
sition had sent the blood through my
veins with furious violence. If this
Sandford be, as | suspect, that villain
Carbon, success will indeed be triumph
--victoryl Lady Everton need not in
that case seek TO animate my zeal by
promises of money recompense. n
blighted existence, young and gentle
wife by his means cast down from opu-
lence to sordid penury, would stimulate
the dullest craven that ever crawled the
earth to energy and action. Pray Heav-
en- my suspicious prove true; and then,
oh my enemy, look well to yourself, for
the avengcr is at your heelsl'
Sandford, | had been instructed, was
usually present at the opera during the
ballet; the box he generally occupied was
designated in the memoranda of the po-
lice; and / saw by the bills that very
successful piece was TO be performed that
evening, and / determined on being pres.
ent.
l entered the house a few minutes past
ten o'clock, just after the commencement
of the ballet, and looked eagerly. round.
The box in which / was instructed to
seek my man was empty. The momen-
tary disappointment was soon repaid
Five minutes had not elapsed when Car
don, looking more insolently triumphant
than ever, entered arm-and-arm with a
pale aristocratic looking young man,
whom | had no difficulty, from his strik-
ing resemblance to portrait in Lady
Everton's drawing-room, in deciding to
be Mr.. Merton. My course of action
was at once determined upon. Pausing
only to master the emotion which the
sight of the glittering reptile in whose
poisonous folds had been involved and
crushed inspired, passed to the opposite
side of the house, and boldly entered the
box. Gardens back was towards me,
and tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
lie turned quickly round; and if a BASIL
isk had confronted him, he could scarcely
have exhibited creates terror and sur
prise. My aspect nevertheless, was
studiously bland and conciliating, and my
outstretched hand seemed to invite re-
ncwal of our old friendship. sG -.
'Watersp lie at last stammered feebly,
accepting my profered grasp--.'who
would have thought of meeting you here?
y'Not yougccrtainly, since you stare at
an old friend as il he were some frightful
goblin about to swallow you. Really
'Hushl lctus speak together in the
lobby. An old friend, he added, in
answer to Mr.. NIerton's surprised stare.
sWc will return in an Instant auo
'Why, what is all this. Waters" said
Carbon, recovering his wonted sang froid
the instant we were alone. Il understood