The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-04-18
MI i s g eIIaneOus.
FOR the AEyis and Mtelligence1'
A VILLAIN FOILED.

In the year lS-a young heiresS, named
Claudia Moore, lived On her own beauti-
full estate, about 1G miles from London.
Miss Moore was considered one of the most
beautiful and refined young ladies in Eng
land. Her mother died when she was born,
and her kind, loving father spared no pains
in educating his beautiful daughter, and
she was consiSeeEed the gem of the neigh
borhood. When Claudia was sixteen years
ofagc she was, with the appreciation of her
father, engaged to be married to George
Rodgers, young gentleman entirely wor-
thy Of her, with the understanding that
they were to be married at the end of two
years. In the meantime, Mr.. Rodgers had
to 60 to Australia to attend to some impor-
tant business for Col. Moore, his intended
tather-in-law. A short time after Rodgers
sailed for the Antarctic Continent, Col.
John Moore took sick and lived but short
time. During his illness he was constant
ly attended to by Sir Richard Morton, who
owned large estate adjoining that of the
Colonel. 1t was thought by many that
Col. Moore had been foully dealt with in
his sickness, but as Morton had been his
constant attendant the thing was hushed
up. At Col. Moores death Morton pro-
duced will, in which he was left sole eX-
ecutor and guardian for Claudia, with the
provision that Morton was to have entire
control OF the property in trust for her until
she was Is years of age, when the entire
estate was to revert TO her. In month
after Col. Moore's DEATH Morton's wife died
after few hours sickness, under suspicious
circumstances, but as Sir Richard was re-
| puted rich and stood high, no one dared to
| intimate that he had poisoned her. Nor
| ton wae now widower and although he
appeared to be rich yet by gambling and
| dissipation he had squandered his fine es-
tate, and it was now covered with mort
cages sufficient to sink it. Morton was
now 35 years Of age, but dissipation had
made him prcmaturey old, and he was at
this time bloated- looking rascal.
Time passed on. Claudia had received
letters from Sidney from her betrothed
telling her Of his safe arrival at his destina-
ton, but she was surprised at never receiv-
| ing any further communications from him.
Two years had now nearly passed, during
which time Morton had been maturing
his plans. In the first place he had inter
cepted all the letters, that should have
passed between the lovers. He now, as
guardian, boldly collected the income of
Claudia's large estate, but he took good
care that she did not get the benefit of her
own money, taking it himselfto enable him
to carry on his round of gambling and dis
sipation, barely allowing the beautiful
heiress enough to feed and clothe her and
pay her servants. One evening he visited
Claudia and showed her a copy of the
London Times, and pointed out to her an
item, (Which he had written,) which stated
that George Rodgers, confidential clerk of
the late Col, Moore, of England, had been
killed in street brawl in Sidney, which
| sad news Claudia received with melancholy
despair. The villain now thought his plans
were perfected, and he determined to force
Claudia to marry him before her birth day,
and thus secure her large fortune. He was
in constant fear lest Mr.. Rodgers would re-
turn, which would of course thwart his
design.
Itnow wanted but one week when Clau-
dia would be 1Syears ofage. On beauti-
full morning in June Morton went to Lon
don, and returned home about noon, &C
companed by dozen Of his dissipated
barroom companions, together with bogus
priest that he had fishcd up out of the
purlieus of the city. The cockneys that he
brought with him were all dressed for the
occasion. They wore black dress coats
white satin vests, white silk pants and
white silk gloves. The priest wore flow
ing surplice. Leaving this villainous crowd
at her mansion, he now sought the abode
of the beautiful Claudia, which was about
half mile distant. His first act here was
to invcigle all of Claudia's servants into O
basement room on the north wing of the
chateau, telling them that their mistress
wished them to search for treasure that was
hid there. AS soon as lie had gotten then
all in the room he locked them there and
placed guard at the door. He now wen
to the front of the mansion and entered
unannounced. He found Claudia in hel
front parlor, who was entirely ignorant o
his designs and preparation. He accostet
Claudia in his blandest manner, telling he
that he had found that her father oweC
large sums ofmoney, and her entire beauti
full estate was sunk; and that out frespec
for her excellent father and love for he
own beautiful self, he had come to offe
her his hand and large fortune, so that sh
might still be a rich lady; but if she re
jectcd his suit beggary stared her in the face
l.. and that he would not interpose to proven
it.
Claudia heard him through. She the
= arose, her fine black eyes seeming to fas
fire, and thus addressed the villain VIII
stood before her:
"Sir Richard Norton" said she, ~ don
, believe word that you have spoken in re
gard to my sainted father. believe it
wicked ruse ofyours; nevertheless, sha
go to London tomorrow and lay my cas-
o before one of the lawyers in the city, an
o let him settle it. And now, sir, hear M
Sooner than become your wife, would be