New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-11

when n clerk announced gentleman on i"P
ness Mt the same timo prcschthE .' , ,...,
rho lawyer hastily glanced at the eard' anu S'i'u
violently. o,, ~ ,ooa
:. Sine Reouchnmp, Earl OF Coradon," he read
VIVA, lest ia thisi Show him in. Mr.. Simmons"
tail and extremely distngu blocking man shortly
entered the private Otlce.
The lawyer regarded him inteny and with curiosity,
as Simmons withdrew.
The stranger appeared about thirty years OF
age, with pale, strikingly handsome face.
As he sat down he made slight gesture to"aru 'no
card which the lawyer still held
"You arc surprised to me - he asked.
"I dout even know who you are" returned the law
yer, curtly.
"That is my card which YOU have in your hand. an
sterne Beauchamp. Earl OF COradon"
"Indeedp The lawyer smiled slightly. sterhe
Beauchamp died at sea moro than three years ago.
"Are you positive of thatr asked the stranger
politely.
Entirely 30. We had perfectly authentic infoFma-
ton OF the fact"
Nevertheless he lives. and am he"
"A OF which 1t will be perfectly for you TO prove,
presume" said the lawyer. sdrcasticaly'
"What pr, OF IS necessary know VINO am uyse'''
Dtnyers looked irrtated.
"Iprtsume Won do; presume also It would be easy
enough for Others 10 find Who you and really
should not advise YOU to try this game any further Ine
procf OF sterne Beauchamps death are absolutely Do
yoad question"
al don't care what the proofs OF my death. since
am after all alive" said the stranger. angrily
The lawyer studied him some moments with a severe
ana stern yet puzzled expression.
"The man mast be crazy" he thought lie eant DC
sterue Beaucuamp"
Suddenly the stranger started from hts chair
"Mr Danvers," lie said, pIssionatcy, 81 am sterhe
Beauchamp."
"you have only TO prove it, said the lawyer again.
lfnnVy hp.
Yourself You have only 70 produce people who know
Won well enough TO be able 10 your identity IL
is very simple"
"slmple! Good Ueaveusl why did not think Of thsi
Has suffering destroyed my mindp muttered the
stranger. Then TO the lawyer II have never been ID
England before. only landed IN Dover twelve houra
ago I was born ia India, and have been away from
there 40 long aud have ehunged much in that time
that doubt IL any one who knew then would recog
ME Inc now Your letter, informing me OF my unce's
death, ana my consequent succession 10 the earuo'
did not find me in India. 1t followed me, however"
"Ah IL followed you, did il May ask where 1t
found you 7"
TIC stranger hosiated, his face whitening lhen ne
sand, with q visible effort:
&" It found me in Van Dicman's Land"
TIE lawyers lip slightly curl' d.
In Yam Diemdn's Landf Three years and moro
II nuat have been" Yes" You have waited a long
time to answer the summons that letter contained
81 have" 81 presume you nave DO oDleeIon " 'cA ho
why you have waited 50 lOngP
A look OF agony crossed Beauchamp's face.
Ill could not come sooner
Tie look OF pcrpe xity deepened the lawyers grave
face. He Interested in this han isone, naughty,
mysterious stranger In spite OF his reason which
told him De could be nothing but the boldest aud most
ridiculous OF impostOrs
You have been III Van Dleman's Land all the time u
For his life Bcauchamp could not control tho shudder
that shook HIM from head TO foot.
Pardon me-" lie said, " / can tell you more OF my
self at present My cause is desperate enough find,
without putting weapons iu the hands OF my enemies.
The lawyer bowed gravely as he said:
"If you were SterEe Bcauchamp himself, in truth,
your case would be desperate you say. The proofs
OF ms death accompanied by all his private papers
and letters, even to the one myself sent him. pas
senger on the same vessel with him saw him die, AMI
brought his dying to his friends together with
A leather wallet containing al his papers"
Beauchamp started.
"The valet was made Of velum, and had purple
lining embroidered at the with gold thread.
NY mother made 1t for Shall tell you, paper by
paper all that that wallet contdlnedf can"
The lawyer shook his head.
ct would effect nothing The wallet is not here. and
do remember the contents 10 particularly as that"
"Where IS It ~
"Isavit at Charlton Towers Lord Beauchamp has
1t In charge"
Lord Beauehampl" exclaimed the other, incred-
uously
The lawyer bowed gravely.
Upon receiving proof OF the death OF sterne Beau
champ the title and possessions passed TO Carroll the
next hcir-the stll younger brother Of Sterne Beau
champs father"
sterne Beauchamps handsome face flashed with
sudden lofty wrath and scorn.
ITO bim Z" lie uttered bitterly. 81 have heard my
iather speak OF him. 1t through Carroll Beau
champs Vaccinations that he was driven to make his
an alien the soil that should nave been my native
Ianl And now he has possessed himself OF my birth
right He shdH not hare il! VIII wrcst IL from him.
die In the attempt. am rtragg.r in my own land
Mr. Danvers Will you tell me how 70 go 10 Charlton
Towersi Will soon prove to Carroll Beauchamp who
l am"
ali you wish to see Lord Doauchamp you will have to
60 to southwod The best way is 10 take the train Ut
Paddngton."
lie knew his knsman TO be bad and unprincipled but
his heart in spite OF all yearned behold one Of hi,
blood and he did not believe that once made aware
Of hts existence, his fathers brother would attempt TO
keep him out Of his Inheritance.
It about sunset when he reached southwoid He
knew It for OF the proudest OF the Beau
champs for generations As Sterne assembled
the broad marble steps leading turreed ma
his heart beat loudly The hall seemed throLeed with
laeEcys tall footman. In magnificent gold livery,
conducted him TO grand parior the drst floor.
Beauchamp hesitated instant as tho footmau
waited and then gave him plain card with his lame
pencied upon it-"sterne Beauchamp."
Carroll Beauchamp did not utter sound for full Ave
minutes after receiving that card His turned like
chalk and he covered IL With his a. he leaned upon
the Of his silken chair stricken with dismay too
profound for words
Presently he dismissed the staring footman with q
gesture Of his white hand.
"serne Beauchsmp." he nuttered as the door closed
"Can be hef wish now had destroyed those papers,
every scrap OF them. Shall see himt I musti snan