The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-10-05

to be acquainted with all her affairs, this
secret investment you talk oil comes upon
me with surprise; and | am most graTely
displeased, both with her and with youi.
sell, Dir. Gay, that you should have en-.
Outraged this underhand proceeding, and
that she should have entered into It."
"WGll, you see, Sir John, all tho ladies
bless 'em-likG their little bits OF SO.
crets," said Mr. Gay, wAggiug his head
with knowing air. "0ie must oblIge
'em, and let EN- believe they are doing Il
cleverly, Always let q woman think she
takes you In If that's what she likes; that's
my advice, and know the sex pretty
well. That she should take you In L
another matter"
Just at this moment tho dogs were
heard barking iuriously.
II think, my lady" sSid Mr.. Gay signi'
fcantly, I'll yo1 will be so kind, you had
better go up stairs and tell Miss Hancock
that the Brazilian bonds are bad, and
have been returned"
"Stay where you ore, Lucy" cried Sir
John, II will know the meaning OF all
this"
"Take advice, Sir john" said Mr.. Gay,
with an odd kind Of authority in his
voice. "If your sister likes to manage
her little affairs in secret, let her"
"Do l want you to give me advice, iel.
lowT the baronct turned on him fiercely.
Mind your own business, and let me al
tend 10 mine"
"My lady"-pleaded Gay.
"How dare you speak 10 my wife, sir ~
interrupted Sir John; and as he spoke, the
dogs barked moro furiously than before,
and mans step was heard on the gravel
outside the window.
Dir. Gay and Lady Hancock exchang.
looks, and Sir John caught the glance rs
II passed between them. He tGlt his brain
reel, and tho realities ofliie seemed to fail
him. There was sOmelhing-hc did not
know what-between his wife and this
low; vulgar, insolent attorney; there was
a mystery on hand, at his very doors, III
his own house, and he had no clew as to
what 1t all meant. His eyes grew so wild
that his wife trembled and shrank visibly
when no strobe toward her and seized her
arm roughly.
"What does II mean, Lucy?" he said, in
a hollow voice. IAN to believe that
the very heaven itself is a lie?"
II cannot tell you anything, John,
DEAR" said Lady Hancock, trembling.
A loud knock came ut the door; the
dogs still barking.
Cursed foolT said Mr.. Gay, and made
as though he would leave the room; but
Sir John barred the way
Nov we will see this comedy to the
end" he said. "On your lie, dare 10
stir /"
"Be advised, Sir John" said Mr.. Gay,
earnestly; "don't seek to know. Let the
words Of a man Of business have some
weight with you. Leave things alone.
Let them be obscure"
"Thanks for your friendly counsel, it
comes too late" was Sir Johns reply,
made in forced, unnatural voice. "Oh,
here comes the mysteryw he added, as
the door was flung open and the servant
announced, "Mr. Pedrone;" while Gay,
mutteriDg "Quem Deus vult perdere," sat
down in a chair, with his thumbs in his
waist.coat arm holes and his fingers beat
ing the devils tattoo on his ample chest.
Lady Hancock looked simply scared;
and then small, dark, disreputable man
came into the room, and bowed low to the
trio gazinga at him with such varied exc
preaSiOns.
a'I fear TO disturb honorable company"
he said in broken English; but perhaps
lord and lady will forgive poor man look.
ing for wife. Wife here. Poor man seek
her-want her-must have her, with hon.
orable company permit. Lady know
Pedrone speak true-Gay know Pcdrone
speak true. Wife here ! Pedrone want
wifew
"What is the meaning Of all this ?"
asked Sir John. "This vagabond says
you both know. 1t seems to me that 1
have gone mad since this morning.
Speak, Lucy! Gay, what is itH"
"Sir John, warned you not to look
into this matter" said Gay, still hard at
work on the DEVILS tattoo. "You would
have done better to have let my lady and
me manage it between us. My lady,
what had we better doF" He turned to
Lady Hancock in. his familiar way, and
Sir John, making one etride toward him,
caught him by the throat.
"Do you dare to speak to Lady Han.
cock as confederate, and in my pres.
ences" he said but Gay shook him oil,
though the baronet was powerful man
enough.
"Don't mako a fool of yourself, Sir
john" he said with perfect indifference.
Don't cry, Lady Hancock; see nothing
else Tor 1.-THE truth must come out"
, ayes, yes; the truth-my wife !" said
Pedrone.
ut will kill her !" sobbed Lady Han.
cock, shudderipg. : J3 s3E
Ait does"-The attorney shrugged his
shoulders and rang the bell. "Tell Miss
Hancock l wantto speak to her." he said,
when the servant came. snow, Sir John,
don't make bad job into q worse one
by your absurd passion" he continued,
speaking with the same odd kind Of I'd!
thority he had used before, as one who
knew whathe was about. ave done my
best for you all, and at some cost, as Lady
Hancock knows. Powers above, man
have some faith in your fellow men, and
don't think no one but yourself either
wise or honest! You ALLEVIATE your best
friends-you do, indeed, Sir John, by
your suspicious and tempers; and you
must not take it i'll that take this lib
erty Of speaking to you"
All this while Mr.. Gay had been hold.
ing Sir Johns hands, and standing so
that he kept him from seeing Lady Han
cock or Pedrone and his word and action
took the man so completely by surprise,
that for the moment he was mute and
passive, ) r' Z J u
During the conversation Lady Han.
cock said in o low, rapid whisper, "TakC
Merton's nano-it will be worth your
while"
"How much ?" said Pedrone.
1.-TWO thousand"
"Done."
And,ot Tho 1,yc,A IIflonan narna IN Anpo,