The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-11-07

dreadtully angry, as though they had
no right to be rich.
eyes, richW replied the dirty old
gossip, drawing nearer, and opening the
door wider when she found my business
was so simple. eyes, richl" and all
through some gentleman who started
old Graham in business some months
agol The old 'ouse as bin 10 let ever
since they left it-ten months ago
Live why, let inc see mewhcrc
near Reading, think, little village
called D.. But that's not the shop
The shops In town somewhere. A sta.
toner's I've heard say, and"
"Thank you, thank you, that will do
Here is a trifle to drink success to my
search"
managed to get away at last, and
was soon conveyed over the lines of the
southwestern railway to Reading.
1t was lovely afternoon when l en-
tered the little village of D.. soon
espled the little cottage to which had
been directed, half hidden from the road
by row of poplar trees, and it was
with very little hesitation l was soon
walking up the garden path and ring
ing the bell.
The Grahams were out, but l ex-
planned that was friend of the family.
and had come very long way express
ly to see them.
This gained me the desired "open
sesame" and | was soon ushered into
the little parlor. Yes, this was Lilly's
home. gazod around me as though |
was in the sacred precinct of some holy
spot. AS my eyes wandered around the
! sweet w. cponfn1 1iff1o o,lA L..
al last upon some milliner's boxes that
Jay upon the table. l had seen such
boxes in my youth, and knew them to
contain the appurtenances of marriage
garments.
Yes, | read her, my Lilly's name on
them. l lifted the lids slightly, and,
alas! my fears were too true; they
were the bridal decorations of Lillian
Graham.
could only just manage to recover
myself as an open carriage drove up to
the garden gate. could not see them
alighr bat soon saw an old lady and
gentleman, whom recognized as Mr..
and Mrs. Graham, and then saw the
dear face of Lilly-saw it to notice that
it was pale, thin and sad-saw it to
quickly tell that even prosperity, and
perhaps the prospect of an advantageous
marriage had not made her look better
than the merry, laughing-eyed, little
maiden of sweet seventeen.
And then | saw gentleman, tall and
well-dressed, with his back toward me,
giving some directions to the coachman.
More than this | could not see, for the
old couple had entered the parlor.
son, MIR. and Mrs. Graham" / said,
eagerly, ''do yon not knew me?,
II really haven't the honor" some
what slifily replied the old gentleman.
"W hat! not know Bob Phillips, that
went to Australia eight wears ayo?r
"Bob Phillips good God!"
This last was uttered bv the tall gen
tleman, in tone of undisguised sur
prise.
My name had seemed 10 create va
ried impression upon them ALL The
littie OLD gentleman looked petrified,
while Mrs. Graham appeared fright
ened, and presently broke out quite
traglcally.
"Robert Phillipsl risen from his
graveW
"Risen from his grave?" said I, grow
ing still more confused and surprised at
eyes, sir, from his grave" said Mr..
Markham: "ves DIR, it is no uso vi
your trying to pass yourself of as that
young man. He has been dead these
three years. was present at his fun
eral myself"
''lndeed," said |, smiling, but almost
chilling Mr.. Markham to death with the
scrutinizingglance Igave him. "AhlIrc
collect seeing You in Australia, think. :"
"Yon are an impostor, and shall be
forced to turn you out of the house if
you do not Instantly leave"
every fine words, Mr.. Simon Rail.
alias Markham. | shall turn YOU out
instead-lhicf, would-be-murderer and
donble-dyed villain"
Amid the screams of the servant and
Mrs. Graham, and not needing the fee
BILE expostulations ofthe old gentleman,
we closed and struggled to the passage.
Here, with little muscular exertion
and well-directed blow between the
eyes, l soon threw Mr.. Markham Gas he
called himselD senseless in the hall,
just as Lilly, hearing my voice. she had
not forgotten it; she did not care even
if it was my ghost, or if had come for
a transitory stay from the other world
came and threw herself into my arms,
exclaiming:
"Oh, my own Robert! did not be-
lieve it. But waited two long, weary
years, and then father said he was GER
tain that it was true, and it would make
him happy if would-if-"
Her tears explained the rest. knew
what she meant, and drew her fondly
to my heart and said:
| 81 knew you would not forget me,
Lilly. am rich now, and very unlike
the dead, eh? But will not STAY lon
ger at present, darling. l will hasten
to prove to you what thorough rascal
you were near marrying. | shall send
some one to look after your safety, and
take that rascal away from you."
The rascal did not move. | had taken
all the "Mr. Markham out of him, So
without much notice of the terror.
stricken Mr.. and Mrs. Graham, but tax.
ing one long, fond kiss from The dear
lips of Lilly, departed hastily from
the house.
had determined to give this episode
a fit denonement, and | think You will
admit did so, when tell you wen
to the authorizes of the parish aud told
them not 10 let the marriage take place
next day (as that was the date fixed for
iD upon amy account. After doing thii
| went to London, and there met Ton
and told him that had found the rob
ber of our nuggets, nearly rubbiDg m,
of my most golden treasure in life
Tom and next morning found out tina
} Simon Rail had come to England aftel
} the robbery, found my friends, reported
my death (Which my neglect in mo-
writing served to corroborate), OBJ
tained place of trust upon false repre-
seatations, and ultimately made the ac
quaintancc of the Grahams, TO complet,
his villainies by marrying my betrothed
We found out also that his EMPLOYER
! had that morning discovered that the,
: we're Fl 900 short, and had dispatched
two detectives to find the faithful Mr.
Markham.
Wall affor all uhan oN,,o 10 fool