St. Landry democrat., 1879-05-10


horses side and urged him on. l WAS
not four or five yards from the lane
when man started into the roa 1way
and stood directly in front OF me; his
fgule was slight, and his face concealed
by a mask; but when he spoke I recog>
nized the voice that made me "stand
and deliver.''
I" Not quite so fast, yourg cir" said
he, az he perceived my intention to draw
on ore side. We don't part quite so
easily this time. 7 must have the medj-
cine"
What medicine % I asked.
"Oh none OF that stuff for NE I
wsnt that physic you nave been sent
for; and that bottle | must and will
have. So take your choice-that bottle
and life, Or" producing & pistol, "this
barrel and death !"
1t was q serious moment but my plan
was at once decided en-; 20 putting my
hand in my breast, as if for the bottle, |
reined close up beside him, and as he
eagerly stretched forth his hand 1or the
expected prize, 1 drew my pistol and
fred I saw him stagger, and in Jew
moments after, as it seemed, l was at the
gate of Mazeborough house.
Once inside and SAFE, had no sooner
delivered the medicine 10 the servant, t.
be taken up to DR. Seyton, than tht
state o! tension to which my nerves (not
OF the strongest) had been sitting gave
way, and, but for some stimulant from
the steward. | snouId have ain,ed away
However, | soon r. covered sufficiently
to nsrrate my adventure to hin, but be
on y laughed at my attributing literal
nt aning to the robbers demand for tie
bottle, and suggested it might be slang
for murder; so | held my peace on that
head, leelng the lorce OF the lines:
man convinced against his will,
Is OF the same opinion stn
The conversation with the stewa d
soon changed to the family, and !
learned from him that Hon. Frederica
Wellester had halt brother Ernest, a
very wild, dissi pated lerson, who had
been tavorite OF the ear until his char
acter was lound out. This Ernest used
to live at Caultdale Place, one of the
earls seats, some fifteen or sixteen mi e.
off but owing TO heavy gambling debts,
be was CONF elIed TO break up his estab-
lishment. and only 1t tanned one servant
whom, after time, he also di-charged
This servant Mr.. Frederick had engaged
"and continued the steward, "a very
decent servant Stevens w3s."
" Stevens p | calculated very loudly
I dare say, OK ma1 locked ingo IT,.
apartment and inquired: Did you
call, sir p ! was struck uumb; a thou
-ani ideas rushed through my brulr.
" No; it was nothing" replied the stew
ard and the man disappeared, but nol
before I recogDiz d in hinl one OF the
men concerned in my late adventure
Just at this moment there was a great
disturbance in the hou>e aud, going cu
to inquire the cause, found DR.. Seytoa
standing on the staircase interrogatinq
Stevens, the other domestics being
groups d around.
" How is this ?" exclaimed the doctor
" How came you to bring me this? II
contains a slow poison"
"The gentleman brought it, sir, and
OF course gave it to you"
" But surely Poor could never have
made this up. Look at it. Frank what
do you say ?" and DR.. Seyton held out
the bottle; but before | could reach i
Stevens had taken it. and at the SAINT
moment his foot slipped, and the viaI
was dashed to pieces on the ground.
The doctor looked annoyed at what ap-
peared to him rs an ACCIDENT but to nt
there was design in II; SO, as he rea,
cended the stairs, I called to Sieverr.
who followed me and the steward int,
the latter's apartment when shuttins
the door, and placing my back agains,
it, | thus addressed him: Chow dio
you become possessed of that bottle you
let TALL just this minute ?" (tor l coulo
zee that it was not the one | broughll
'and lor what motive did you stop my
horse few hours since, and who wa
your companion?" These gu ries poured
'ut rapidly, not giving time for any di--
:inct reply; but when I paused 1cr q
he answered with look of the |
almost astonishment: "Sir, really do |
lot understand you. The bottle you |
brought gave the doctor, and as to th.
topping your horse and about a COM
'anion [ am at quite at loss to know
what you alluoe to"
But need not enumerate the answers
" which he fenced off my inquiries; |
utfice it to say he denied all knowledge
whatever OF my adventure and stoutiy
filmed he had not left the house since
he previous day. What annoyed me
till more was the conduct of the steward.
Tho appeared to regard my statement
s proceeding either from a weak intel
sct or too free use of the means sup>
lied for my recovery.
There was nothing to be cleaned from