The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-07-03

bachelor, but it appears that he was
clandestinely married, and left SON
q lad whom you know, by the by, for I
have seen him in your house. His name
is Timburel."
TimburelP'' echoed Mr.. Moyle,
with . START" young 9imburel who
used to lbea clerk in our firm, and whom
! dismissed fdr ptesuming to make love
II was not aware of those particu-
lars" said Lord Beauvray, "but young
mothers name (she was an actress),
and was the son of my second uncle;
and it seems that his parents were law
fully married."
7"And do yea mean to say that Tim
burel-a vulgar, conceited upstart, no
is living on his wits at this moment,
with not shilling in his pocket, I'll be
bound-do you mean to say he has be-
come Earl of BeauvrayP'
"Not only that, but he becomes alb
solute owner of all my estates and
property. My poor father left me
mere pittance. When have put Tim
burel in possession of his own, shall
have nothing but my commission in
the Guards and about three hundred
year."
"Come, come, don't say such bosh,"
blurted out old Moyle. grasping his
nose again. 1t had just occurred to
him that Lord Beauvray was hoaxing.
He wants to find out whether our
Mile loves him for himself or his
title" reflected the money-man; but in
a moment this idea was dispelled by
Lord Beauvray displaying the contents
of his envelopes marriage certificate
and q number of letters which substan-
tiated his story. Then he entered into
explanations. It seems that his uncle,
the Hon. Colonel de Vxay, being in
garrison at Malta, had privately mar
ried an Italian actress named Tim
burelli. After a years union this
tickle person had deserted him, leaving
her child to his care; and soon after
wardshe died. Under the circumstances
the Colonel. though he provided for his
boys maintenance, deemed it con-
venient to conceal his marriage. and
eventually he died suddenly without
having acknowledged it. Apparently,
however, his conscience had tormented
him, so that, while lacking the moral
courage to speak the truth during his
lifetime. he had left evidence by which
it might be known after his death.
Unfortunately, the envelope containing
his marriage certificate had lain mixed
up with some other documents in
box, which Lord Beauvray (who in
herited the deceased's papers) had
never thought of examining till that
morning, when he had begun to sort
his family papers in the view of mar
riage. These were the facts which the
young peer explained, while old Moyle,
with a series of wheezes like means,
ruefully examined all the documents
one by one. ~
Suddenly the bill-discounter crum-
bled all the papers in his hand with a
feverish grasp, and looked at Lord
Beauvray. There was an expression
in his dull eyes as of s light behind an
unclaimed pane of glass. II say" he
whispered, "have you told anybody
beside me about this secret?'
"No; came to you first, as in duty
bound"
"Then what prevents us from de-
stroying these papers,? I shan't say
anything about it. That young Tim
burel is skunk and a snob; it will be
ridiculous to see him lord, and he'll
ruin himself, or become mad with con-
ceit-so foolish is he. l say, Beauvray,
if throw this envelope into the fire,
who will know anything about it?''
81 SHALL" answered Lord Reauvray,
quietly, and he held out his hand for
the papers.
The shifty glance of the money man
quailed before the light of unquench-
able honesty in the eyes of one who
happened to be a nobleman in some-
thing more than the name.
There was pretty hubbub in society
when it became known that the Earl of
Beauvray-or George de Vray, as he
now simply called himself-was going
to abandon his title and estates to a
man who had been city clerk. Lord
Beauvray himself did his utmost to
! make the thing public; for as the legal
formalities for reinstating his cousin
into his rights would require some
time, he was anxious that the new
peer should obtain at least social recog-
milton of his rank as soon as possible.
For this purpose he placed the amazed
and elated Mr.. Timburel in possession
Of his mansion in. Piccadilly, and a
large sum in ready money Ito 90 OH
with" Mr.. Timburel was decidedly a
snob; Lord Beauvray could not like
| him, much as he forced himself to be
friendly, and he was soon forced to
reflect with sigh that the house of
De Vray would be poorly represent
ed by its new chief. But this did not
check his diligence in doing his duty,
and he quite dismayed his solicitors,
who were advising him to defend the
action for ejectment that was going to
be instituted, and to dispute the claim
for the title that would be laid before
the House of Lords.
81 wish to have no disputes" said
flaw were discovered, I should not
avail myself of it SO long as moral
certainty existed. And that certainty
does exist" The lawyers grumbled,
but they were fain to own that the
marriage certificate was genuine, and
that nafhing but chicanery could spoil
the suit OF Mr.. Timburel, who now de-
scribed himself as ..'Ralph de Vray,
claimant to the earldOm of Beauvray."
of course George de Vray's mar
riage was postponed. The turn in his
fortunes had thrown so much business
on his hands that it was impossible he
could devote a month to honeymoon
ing until it was all disposed of; beside
which, ne felt bound to make Mr..
Moyle the offer of releasing his daugh-
ter from shsr engagement. At first
this statement was pooh-poohed equal.
ly by the bill-discounter, and by Miss
Moyle herself. Mile. who was not
quite 50 sensible as she was pretty,
wept good deal at not becoming q
Countess; then she wept at the nobility
of Georges action, which everybody
was praiaing. In fact, during 4 week
or tEo she Redewed good many pock-
et-hand keschiefs with her weepings
over one thing and another But, IN
the main, she was disposed TO remain.
faithful to- George, and took some