The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-09-24

4 replied promptly, and thanked Mrs.
Sitwell in bis heart.
/ "Pshaw! You have learned from
Burke that have no children" said
Sir Lewis MalIaby boldly, but then
he was little taken back ANY
! thing else ?r
"T'he memory of marsh deed that
you now strive in vain to redeem"
"This borders upon impertinence,"
said Sir Lewis, with hot flush on
his cheek and passion in his eyes.
"But let Us leave distractions and
try tangible realities. Can you tell
me what | have in this pocket 2"
He touched the left breast of his tail
coat
"A pocket book"
"Bah! ca ga sans dire. Every
one carries pocket book in his
pocket"
"But do you ?" asked several of
the bystanders, oil of whom were
growing deeply interested in this
strange duel.
Sir Lewis confessed that be aid,
and produced it-an ordinary moroc-
co leather purse and pocket book all
in one.
"Are you prepared TO go on p"
asked the baronet very haughtily of
Jack.
Certainly"
"What does this pocket book con-
tain ?p
Evidence
| The contest between them now
was outrance.
Evidence OF what ?"
"Of facts that must sooner or later
come to light. You have in that
poeketbook Inks in long chain of
circumstance which, however care
fully concealed or anxiously dreaded.
time in its inexorable course must
bring eventually to light. There is
no bond, says the Spanish proverb,
which ID not scme day fulfilled !; no
debt that in the long run is not
paid"
"What ridiculous nonsense | give
you my word this pocketbook con-
tsins nothing-absolutely nothing
but a Bank of England note for
fI00.n
"Stay % cried Jack Newbiggin,
facing him abruptly and speaking in
voice of thunder at is not So
you know tit is only the half"
And as he spoke he took the crum-
pied paper from the hands of the real-
ly stupeded baronet. 1t was exhibit
cd for inspection-the half of Bank
Of England note for fl00.
There was much applause at this
harmless and successful denouement
of what threatened at one stage to
lead to alteration. perhaps to quar-
rel. But Jack Newbiggin was not
satisfied.
"As you have dared me to do my
worst said Jack, "listen now to
what have to say. Not only did l
know that that was only the halt of a
mote, but know where the other half
/ ia to be found"
$50 much the botter for me,n said
THE baronet, with an effort to appear
/ fhdmorous. --~z-.sssss 49,
"That other half was given to-
shall say, Sir Lewis?"
Cir Lewis Mallaby nodded indihsr-
emily.
It was given to one Hester Gorri-
gan, an Irish nurse, six years ago
lit was the piece Of deed which
you"
:'Silence say no more" cried Sir
Lewis in horror. II see you know
all. I swear l have had 10 peace
since was tempted SO sorely, and so
weakly fell. But | am prepared to
make all the restitution aud repars-
tion in my power--unless, unhappily,
unless it be too late"
Even while he was speaking his
face turned ghastly pale, bis lips were
covered with a fine white foam, be
made one or two convulsive attempts
to steady himself, and then with a
wild, terrified look around, he fell
heavily to the floor.
1t was paralytic seizure. They
took him up stairs and tended him
but the case was desperate from the
first. Only just before the end did he
80 far recover the power of speech as
to be able to make confession of what
had occurred.
Sir Lewis had been a younger SOD;
the eldest inherited the family title,
but died early, leaving his widow to
give him q posthumous heir, the title
remaining in allegiance until time
showed whether the infant was boy
or girl.
It proved to be boy. whereupon
Sir Lewis Mallaby, who had the ear
liest intimation of the fact, put into
execution nefarious project which
be had carefully concoc.ed in ad-
vance. A girl was obtained from q
founding hospital and substituted by
Lady Mallaby's nurse. who was in
Lewis's pay, for the newly born SOD
and heir.
This SOD and heir was handed over
to another accomplice, Hester Gorri-
gan, who was bribed with f100, half
down in the shape of half note, the
other half to be paid when she an
nounced her safe arrival in Texas
with the stolen child. Mrs. Gorri-
gan had an unquenchable thirst, and
in her transit between London and
Liverpool allowed her precious charge
TO slip out of her hands, with the
conseq uences we know.
1t was the watch borrowed from
Sir Lewis Mallsby which first arous-
ed Jacks suspicious. 1t bore the
strange crest-two hammers crossed,
with the motto: II strike"-which |
was marked upon the linen of the |
child that Dan Blockit picked up At
Huntington station.
The initial Of the name Mallaby |
coincided with monogram the Fl. L. |
M. Jack rapidly drew his conclu-
sions, aud made bold shot, which |
hit the m ark ss we have seen.
Lewis Mallaby's confession soon
reinetated the rightful heir, and Dan
Blockit in after years had no reasan |
to regret the generosity which had
prom pied him to give the little found
ling the shelter of bis rude home.