The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-05-26

4
And eventually Mr.. LObyear, the son,
who of course could not be expected
to know his fathers discovery and
communication to his lawyer, took
his cicerone into confidence. He adored
the most charming, innocent, perse-
cuted saint that ever excited the
jealousy of spiteful coterie. Her name
was Montacute, and she was widow
without encumbrances She had been
residing in a quiet part of the Isle of
Wight, but was now on her way to Lon
| don and he had received a letter that
very morning directing him where to find
her; so he would not trespass on Mr.
| Fiel's hospitality after that day. Where
abouts was Duke street, Jermyn street
| The complacent MIR. Fiel conducted him
| to that DeighborhOOd, and also, in reply to
further questions, gave him an outline OF
the steps it was necessary to take before
gentleman and lady, inclined that way,
| could De joined together in holy matri
| mony. There could be no harm done in af-
| fording him such scraps of information;
the first cabman passing would have driven
him to the address, and the charming
widow probably had license and banns
formalities at her fingers ends.
"Of course, you are of age?" he threw
in at the end.
81 believe my father would say was
some months short of it." replied the
young man, carelessly "but really his ev
idence is 50 little to be trusted in any mat
| ter not connected with plants or insects,
that mean to give myself the benefit of
the doubt That's good law, eh?"
Mr.. Fiel proposed bachelors dinner
at his club that day, and entertained his
guest all the evening with caustic Obser-
vations upon widows, and the dangers to
which young men were exposed from
beautiful sirens, whose antecedents would
not bear strict examination, illustrated with
numerous opposite anecdotes, which the
young man seemed to enjoy heartily.
But he would not apply them to his own
| case so that, at last, the lawyer was
forced to be more explicit, and with much
apology asked whether the young man
knew who the late Mr. NIontacute was,
and under what circumstances the fair
widow came to be alone and unprotected
in Calcutta But the ardent lover would
not listen to hint rejecting upon the OBJ
ject of his affections, and got go excited
and angry, that Mr.. Fiel dropped the sub
iect at once. Where was the use of talk
ing sense to man who declared that 1t
all the world swOre to anything which his
mistress denied, ne should take her word
in preference to the united OATH To ex-
pose his game by showing the paternal
letter empowering him to forbid the mar
riage, would have been stupid indeed at
present that must be kept as the very
last resource, when, combined with con-
siderations of probable disinheritance, it
might have an effect. What effect? the
lawyer asked himself untlnChingly, when
hat rrfrht nhah a a X
| ing young Lobyear dissemble for the
time, and marry his widow elsewhere, un
known to the lawyer And if the agent
were deceived, the bridegroom might well
hope to conceal the matter from his but
tert1y hunting father at all events, for a
time. Young people, especially when in
| love, never look far forward, but have a
confidence in things turning up. Mr..
| Fiel owned with inward chagrin that he
was at fault
Suddenly an idea flashed upon him like
an inspiration. Why not attack the wO-
man he had her address.
"Of course" he said aloud, turning his
head on the pillow.
What, my dearg' responded Mrs
Fiel
Nothing" And he went to sleep.
| Next morning young LObyear left Mr..
| r lei mouse, ana WCnG 10 uli nOIcl III - CT
myn street
| Mr.. Fiel possessed very sharp office
| boy, for in spite of the trick which had
been played upon him by Tom Scott, he
liked sharp boys; only he never meant to
| give another the chance of abusing his
confidence. Billy Daw was employed in
minor matters alone; his master had no
intention of pushing him.
| This lad had already seen young Lob
year the house in Duke street Was now
pointed out to him, and he was directed to
watch it, and let his master know when
Mr. Lobyear left it.
So Mr.. Fiel waited in his club, which
was close by, and Billy Daw lOaied within
sight of Duke street Billy was good at
loafipg he cleaned amusement and in
struction from the window of a newspa-
per and caricature shop; studied natural
history at fishmonger's S set two boys to
fight; exasperdted drunken man; pro-
cured "cuts behind" for several young
sters who were riding without paying
their fare-all without losing sight of the
door he was directed to watch. His re-
port at the end of the day was, that Mr..
Lobyear had left his hotel, and gone to
the house in Duke street at II a. III. At
half past 1, a servant girl had come out
| WIFI du tillDtJ uloil, duu lCiul uIQ III tCH
minutes with oysters AT o'clock Mr..
4 Lobyear had at last come out, accompa-
MED by lady, and they alked together,
arm in arm, to st. James Hall.
"Never mind" said Mr.. Fiel; "he
can't stick so close as that to her long,
however desperate his condition may be.
Try again to morrow"
True enough, at IL o'clock or the fol-
lowing day Billy Daw summoned his
master from the club, and informed him
that Mr.. Lobyear had gone out for some
time, and the lady was alone. Asked how
he knew that his absence was not for a
few minutes only, he replied that the gen
tleman had lit up his baccy directly he got
outside the door.
Mr.. Fiel wasted no time in further
questioning. but FASTENED to the house in
Duke street, knocked and rang, and in
quired for Mrs. MOnticute. Yes, the
servant girl said, she lodged there, and
was at home What name? And the
lawyer was ushered into the front draw
ing room.
A lady with a creamy complexion and
golden hair, elegantly dressed in half
mourning, closed the novel she had been
reading, aud rose from her lounging chair
to receive him. Pretty, thought the Wis
itor, decidedly pretty but at least ten
years older than lie is.
You do not know me, madam, or the
object of my VISIT" he said $50 l had
better tell you at once that my name is
Fiel. and that | am the legal adviser OF
Mr.. Lobyear, the father of the gentleman
who aspires, | believe, to the honor OF
your hand"
} Mrs. Montacute bowed, and requested
him to be seated
81 hope you will pardon me-" con
, tinued Mr.. Fiel, dropping into chair
which had faced the lady, and looking a.
conciliatory as he could, if what have
! to say should prove in any way disagreed