Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-04-20
GaIes 8 Sketches.
AN OLD STORY NEWLY TOLD.
BY OLIVER j. BURKE.

... BY OLIVER j. BURKE
Robert, Earl of Kingston, was born in
1854, and was married when Lord Kings
borough, at fifteen years of age, to Caro-
line, sole daughter and heiress of Richard
Fitz Gerald, of Mount Opbaly, in the coun-
ty of Kildare, Ireland. The lady was
younger still, and was possessed of great
mental and personal attractions. She had
n brother to whom she was greatly attach
ed, who had died without any lawful issue,
but who had left natural son, Henry
Gerald Fitz-Gerald. Plying his forlorn
condition, Lady Kingsborough had him
reared with as much care as if he had been
her own son. She saw to his wants, which
she invariably supplied, and did all in her
power to make him forget the unhappy
situation in which he was placed. In
word, she brought him up with her own
children. She obtained q commission for
him in the line, and he soon attained, by
reason not alone of his great interest, but
his great talents, the position of his regi-
mcnt.
Among the children of Lord and Lady
kingsborough, with whom he was, unfor-
tunately, too intimate, there was Mary,
the third daughter, remarkable for her
graceful figure, for the Soft and pleasing
expression of her countenance, and for the
beauty of her hair, which grew in such
luxuriance, as to attract the netice Of all
who saw her. Happy would it have been
for this tnoughtless and innocent child if
Henry Fitz-Gerald, the illegtimate son of
her uncle, had never been admitted under
the shadow of her fathers roof. He was
then married ; he had won the affections OF
u lovely and accomplished girl, but forget
ful alike of his marriage VOWS, and OF every
feeling of gratitude TO his noble benefactors,
he fixed his eyes on her whom by the laws
of God and man he was bound to protect
At length he acquired such an influence
over her that it was impossible she could
elude his grasp. Wherever she went Colo
mel Fitz-Gcrald was sure to be somewhere
near at hand. AT theatres, at concerts,
and at balls, his attentions were unremit-
ting he danced with her, sat by her side.
saw her to the carriage, and did everything
| that man could do TO su5due the mind of
her, little more than child, to his own
| wicked purposes. Rumors were soon set
ailoat that Colonel Fitz-Gerald's attentions
| to the Honorable Miss Kingsborough were
| not those that might be expected from Il
married man TO an unmarried and inter-
/ estng young girl. These rumors were un-
/ needed by Lord and Lady Kingsborough.
/ 1T was impossible ~ they said, that man
so benefited as the colonel had been should
| commit crime which, detestabla enough
| in any one, would in his particular case
/ imply degree Of vlliauy almost beyond
example," Thus they reasoned with them
selves, and would hear to nothing that
! would throw shadow on the honor of
! Colonel Fitz-Gernld, or on the fair name
of their darling child.
In the summer, however, of 1897. the
] Hon Mary KinoS hnrnuub disc ppaa rod
from her home. to the horror of her father
and mother. who then resided near Lon
don. y nnte, left on her dressing table,
had informed them that she had fled from
home with the intention of drowning her
self in the Thames. The river was drag
ged for miles on both sides of where her
bonnet and shawl were found on the bank,
but the search proved unayailing. Her
family were now impressed with the con-
viction that the unhappy young lady had
committed suicide but as time wore on,
his lordship began calmly to reflect on his
daughters disappearance. He could see
no reason for committing self-destruction,
and he therefore resolved to double his eff
forts to get back his lost child A circum-
stance soon occurred which impressed him
with the idea that his daughter still lived
he had met post-boy, who had informed
Kim that, some short time ago, while driv-
ing a gentleman, whom he never saw be-
fore, on the road TO London, from town
in his lordship's neighborhood, his atten-
tion was attracted by the appearance of a
young lady who was walking alone. The
gentleman ordered the carriage to stop,
aud invited the lady to take seat beside
him, who at once, as if it were pre-ar-
ranged, accepted the invitation, and on
their arrival in London they parted from
him in each others company, but to what
part of the city they directed their course
he was entirely ignorant.
Lord Kingsborough now had the clue,
and he was determined to follow it up.
Advertisements appeared in every paper
in England, offering great rewards for any
information that would restore the unfor-
tunate young lady to her parents she was
faithfully described in the public prints,
especial attention being directed to the pro-
!, fusion of her long and flowing hair. The
friends of the family were assiduous in
their attentions, and they failed not to
state their convictions that the young lady
had eloped with Colonel Fitz- Gerald. In.
dgnant at the charge, the colonel joined
in the search, and when all proved fruit,
/ less, no one was louder in lamentations
, than he was "IIe could not rest,n he
said, still she was found, for in no otheI
, way could his innocence of the deed be
sufficiently established" The apparent
sincerity of his protestations, his ceaseess
endeavors to find her, his numerous calls
Mt the house, his unwearied attentions and
agonizizing protestations disarmed thC
most suspicious. He was admitted TO the
! family councils, proposed plans, and acted
, the part Of loving and grateful relative
! 50 admirably that none could for one in
stance suppose that The lady was at tina
very moment in his own safc keepirg.