The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-05-04
4 Ronancc in Rcot Lire.

There has been great sensation in San
Francisco over a scandal in society recall
ing in IFS incidents the plot of Charles
Reade's Terrible Temptation" only
the ending was a more natural and prosaic
one. In Reade'S novel the false heir
grows up in the family, and the deceit was
not discovered, but VAS in the Tulness of
time revealed by the wife, who had erred
through excessive love and devotion to her
husband. In the San Francisco affair van
ity and love OF display were the motives rf
of the fraud, and discovery followed ha'd
upon its consuinmation. SeveI al years
ago Samuel T. Curtis. a wealthy Spccula-
tor and mine owner, married a younc aud
attractive lady. She vas fond Of fashion
and social enjoyment he longed Gor
home made pleasant 10y the sound of chii-
{ dren's voices. So strong was his Ucsirs
that he promised her one of the finest
houses IN the city, with the most costly
and elegant surroundings and equipages
il the dearest wish of his heart could I've
gratjiied. 1t is said that Reade : novel
suggested TO the wife the means 10y which
she could deceive her husband and scctiIo
the fine establishment which was such a
dazzling attraction to her vanity. She was
able to secure the services of physician
named DR. Nouser in arranging the details
OF her plot, aud a foundling asylum Was to
supply the necessary infant. The seryi-
ccs Of "a trusty maid were also secured,
and for the rest the plot was managed al
most exactly like that in Reades novel.
which seems to have furnished a model Tor
the proceedings all through. Daring 4
four nOnths' absence of Mr.. Curtis in tie
Nevada mining regions he received the
gratifying announ CO meut of AN cxl ecj, q
heir. Appearances were skilfully mandg-
ed 50 as to keep mp the deceit, and The ioy-
ful and liberal mining king speedily re
deemed his promises to his wife. 4 large
and elegant mansion ia the most fashiona-
ble quarter of the city was purchased and
the most lavish expenditures were fna5ie
! upon its furniture and decoration. The
/ la0y's love OF display was graiified by
/ presents of splendid diamUnd iewelry aud
handsome new carriage, drawn by costly
+ bloOded horses. The husbands bus mess
/ rcquiredi him to make frequent visits to
/ Virginia City, and taking the advantage IF
| one of these, arranc ements were made for
the consummation of the plot. The conh-
| Dental maid servant secured new bonn
! infant from a fouhdling asylum. n wet
nurse was engaged. the tIusty Dr. Mouscr
/ was called iii, and Mrs. CniifS. pale with
/ nervous anxiety and excitement. was sur-
roHnded with the trappings of maternity.
I Dr. MouSer telegraphed To Mr.. Curtis the
/ joyful news that he was the father OF y fine
! boy, and the latter fastening home shed
tears of paternal pride upon The pink and
/ purple-m"ttlcd babe which the nnrse p,e-
/ senied to him. One Of his fi.s. acii,,us
was TO sit down and write off check IF
$500 To DR. Mouser for his incst l1nabi,. ser
1 wees. All went well for few weeks: the
| wife convalesced with prudent sloynpsS
and the deceit might not have been discoy-
/ cred had not the confidential maid servant
/ biabbed. Distracting runners reactad tbe
! husbands ears. His suspicious wers
aroused, aud lac employed Il slireyrl iaw,rr.
who In turn employed detectives. l,e
truth soon came out. The wife wept. pro.
! tested and denied until confronted with
! br- M"users confession, when she too
/ gave way And now lnxuriouS home *
/ ior sale, the wretCheI wife is Spparat.d
| from her husband, the false heir is back at
I the founding asylum, and suit of dive .,ce
/ is pending Baltimore G0zetle.