Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-20
A GenteeI EHindIe.

One evening in November last gen
tleman presented himself at the resi-
dence of Lord c., in London, aud
asked to see the lady of the house. He
was shown into the room of Lady c.
My Lady" aaid he, "a mere acci-
dent has thrown into my hands mum
ber of letters which Lord G. has written
to q young lady with whom be enter
tained laison for several months. The
young lady is beautiful and highly infelli-
gent; she is of respectable family, and
only the blindness of passion has induced
her to forget herself in this way"
Lady c., who loves her husband pas.
sionately, was thundsrstruck.
Sir," SIZE gasped convulsively, "snd
those letters which you have received,
where are they p
II have got them. Here they are,
said the gentleman, producing at the
same tipe bundle of five or six letters.
Lady G, stretched out her hands to re-
ceive the bundle which the gentleman
had shown her.
my lady," said the gentleman. 81
need not tell you that the letters are val
liable. Lord G. would pay me FIVE hum
cred pounds for them Bot, in returRing
them to him, / would assist him in the
crime he is committing against you.
Morality has always had a powerful in
huence on my actions, aud, in seeing
you so terribly excited and hopeless, |
feel inclined to act generously with you
and offer them to you at half the price
the lord would pay for them"
"But, sir" said Lady c., 81 do no
know whether these letters are genuine
You are perfect stranger to me. They
may be forgeries."
AT these words the gentleman replaced
the bundle into his pocket, and bowed
politely to the lady.
II have nothing to say, my lady" said
he coldly. Lord c., who knows whether
they are genuine or not, may decide on
their value"
And the gentleman went to the door.
stop" said my Lady. Let me have
those letters. But, sir, have not got the
amount you ask for them in cash If this
diamond necklace will satisfy you, you
may have it. Lord G. paid s300 for it
last Christmas, and it is worth more than
you ask for the letters"
The gentleman examined the necklace
closely, and then, after having put it into
his pocket, delivered the expensive let
ters.
When Lord C. came home few hours
after, he found his wife in despair Only
after thousand prayers and caresses be
succeeded in learning the terrible news
which had been communicated to Lady G.
In vain he tried to persuade her that she
had heen made the victim of an inge-
nious swindler, who had profted by bis
absence to deprive her of costly piece
of jewelry. Lady c. replied that all his
assurances we're as many lies, and that |
she was determined to separate from him. |
At this juncture letter was brought |
in. On opening it twenty-pound note
fell oD the table. The lady read hurriedly |
the costents of the letter, which was ad- |
dressed to her, and which ran as follows:
My Lady-By this time Lord C. will
have convinced ysu that my letters are |
ingenious fsbrications of my own hand.
am an artist in my own way my for
geries ere excellent, and you are not the
frst, nor, hope l, will you be the last of
my victims. But / am honest in my
iealiugs. asked ESQ for the letters.
on gave me your necklace. have just
,old it for e270 to Messrs. B. & d Lud-
rate Hill, and take the liberty to inclose
7ou f20 amount over and above my de.
nands. ] have no doubt the jewelers.
will, upon presentation of this letter,
'eturn the necklace for the amount they
paid for it. Very respectfully,
~. Z. THIKF."