The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-09-02

THE TRYST IN TWIN.TREE LANE.

AT midnight between the 9th and 10th
OF Nav, 1S- Git is less than thirty-five
wears ago), there occurred meeting which,
whether for the incongruity of its constit-
uent clements, the difficulties with which
it was sencompassed, its gloom and mystery,
or its actual purpose, has to the best of the
writer's belief, no parallel in social history.
During the period that has since elapsed,
many minor particulars have come to
light, and supplied the materials for as
circumstantial a narrative of this singular
transaction as the most curious inquirer
could desire.
On the evening of the Sth of May, that
is, the day preceding the incident about to
be related, the family of Mr.. Newton
Horsfall, of Cowling Priors, Herts, no.
ticed something unusual in that gentle
mans demeanor.
Mr.. Horsfall was the representative of
an old and loyal county family. Though
of somewhat quiet and retiring habits he
was an active county magistrate, and, the
high sheriff. Aged, at this period, about
forty he had married seven years
before a lady twenty years his junior, by
whom he had a son and daughter.
At dinner, on the day above mentioned,
Mr.. Horsfall's disturbance seemed to in
crease He ate but little, was silent and
abstracted, and, contrary to his wont, APP
peared relieved when his wife's departure
left him to his own mcditatiOns. He
moved restlessly in his chair, got up and
paced the room, and, finally, sitting down
at a bureau that stood in corner Of the
room, fell to examining some papers he
selected from its contents. These he di-
vided into two portions, one of which he
tore up to the minutest particles, the other
he placed under seal and restored to its
former place. 1t was known at an after
period that he had also opened and repe-
rused his WILL
This done, he rested his head on both
hands and resumed his anxious med
tions. Suddenly he spoke aloud.
Il will-yes, L will do it. Yes, c. ne
what may, the reproach of being absent
shall not attach alone to me. Let danger,
let what is worse, ridicule, attend this
proceeding, am of race that keep their
faith, and"
Newton" said gentle voice, and a
white hand glistened on his shoulder.
have not been your wife for seven years,
resumed Mrs Horsf,ll, " without learning
to read your face. You have a trouble,
dear; the first, l hope and believe, YOU
have not permitted me to share. Forgive
my eavesdropping My anxiety was in
tolerable. What has happened?"
Mr. Horsfall smiled.
Happened, my love? Nothing, nothing
in the world. The worst is-the very
worst is, that-that-I must leave you for
some thirtysix hours, and that, unfortu-
nately, this very night"
"To-night,"
81 understand your CONSERVATION, nv
dear" said her husband trying to speal,
lightly we have people to dinner to-
morrow, and unless they would consent tO
wait till six in the morning, my Lucy must
be host and hostess too"
40 Newton, il is impossible" !"
"Try."
" But will you tell me nothing more?"
Every word, dear; but not non."
Newton, L have a petition to make to
you"
"Speak it, love-"
a. Take me with YOU"
Not if-ahcm-my dC.lr, it is impossi-
bic, said the magistrate "You must remain
to receive our friends, and assure them
that nothing short of business that would
not brook an hours delay compelled me ia
be absent from my post. Now, if you love
me, not another question. Ring the bell
like a sensible woman, and order the car,
riagc at four"
-Four in the mornings" calculated
Mrs Horsfall, Elintly, and burst into tears
The idea is terrible" said the magis
trate, smiling; but take courage. Duty
calls"
May go with you part Of the way?
"To London? Certainly, if you wish it
AH the way"
1t was not in his very gentlest accents
that Jacob Gould, the coachman, acauaint
ed his pampcred horses with the astound
ing fact that they were required to turn
out of their comfortable nests, as he him
self had done, at four in the morning
AS Tor Mr.. Horsfall himself, now that
ne had apparently resolved upon his
course oil action, he grew more cheerful
and Jested g@yly with his wife as
he put her INTO the carriage At the tor
OF Regent Street he stopped the carriage
and bcckOned to a hackney coach.
"God bless you, my lover he cried
Ieaning from the window: and, adding {
word of direction to the driver, was jeitct
away.
Where did your master say, Robert p
asked Mrs. Horsfall
Whyto' seller, Piccadilly, m" retorte,
Robert, with slight cough, meant to i'm
innate that travelling so early did not agrc,
with him.
al will alight here also" said Mrs. Hors
fall. Let the carriage be put up for al
hOur or two. You and Jacob get som