St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-11-04
WINGED himself bevond q doubt of its

COlItttlS'''
1t was 4 symptom of an unhealthy |
frame of mind that he neither expressed |
nor felt indignation at the mans in
famous design. The only sentiment he
was conscious of was keen disappoint-
ment Yet at the bottom OF his heart
there lurked dark and dangerous
scheme for turning the eX-lawyer's
baseness to account 1t suddenly oc-
crrred to him that Arthur was Just the
sort of lad to be easily imposed upon
bv an INSCRIPTIONS scoundrel like
Crjpps. If he could be induced to be-
lieye that he was not legally entitled to
his inheritance, there was no knowing
what might happen. The young man
had the reputation of being chiyalrous
and honorable almost to the point of
absurdity, and it was quite possible that
he might voluntarily renouncc his birth
riobt to avoid unpleasant disclosures.
The bare idea of such q contingency set
Medwvn Lancaster's brain on fire and
denriyed him of all moral conscious
ness. He could not resist the tempta
tion of suggesting to the lawyer to call
upon Arthur and tell him his story,
which Mr.. Grips consented to do upon
receiving f20 for his expenses. MIR Lam
caster battered himself that his COM
nanion attributed to him the highest
motives for making this suggestion, but
in reality the aStute attorney guessed
pretty we'll what was passing in the
mind of his patron.
To do Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster justice,
it must be admitted that he suffered
severe qualms of conscience during the
next ten DAYS. He was not a man
of hieh moral principle, but neither was
he able to reflect calmly upon what he
had done without remOrse and uneasl-
ness. Yet he awaited the result OF the
LAWYER communication to Arthur Lam
caster with something like hopefulness,
and it never occurred to him to put the
Young mans mind at rest.
He was rudely awakened from his
state of mental apathy by shocking
and startling occurrence. Poor young
Arthur Lancaster was found dead in
his bed one morning, with a bottle,
which had evidently contained lauda-
nun. erasped in his hand. Nh. Lam
caster was summoned to Cambridge as
the nearest relative of the deceased, to
attend the inquest. He went in fear
and trembling, overwhelmed with hor-
ror, and scarce able to realize the dread
full thing that had happened. 10 his
, inexpressble relief, however, he found
the sad occurrence was regarded as
purely accidental So far as he was
able to ascertain, the lawyer had never
called upon the young man, having
probably preferred to pocket the ~
without mourning further risk Anc
, evidence was forthcoming at the lnques
that the deceased had lately been in the
habit of using laudanum to procure re
lief from an attack of acute neuralgia
and a verdict of death from misad
f. venture was returned without heslta
g ton.
e. In this manner, apparently by thu
merciful intervention of Providence
: did Medwyn Lancaster attain his heart
. desire. His sudden accession to wealth
of course elected hearty congratulatIon
J. from large circle OF friends. He en-
: tered Parliament, and, protiting by nj
l. official training, soon made his mark
o At present he is distinguished membe
a of society. fairly popular, highly respect
e ed, and almost certain ere long to b
Il Calleu TO Ino upper I1ouot.
But people think he is aging yer
n fast. His hair has grown white h!
frame is bent and shrunken, and there
u drawn and careworn look upon NJ
# face which betokens a troubled mlnd
:. His friends say he is killing himself wit
T. overwork, while his political enemie
do not scruple to aver that he is sutfe1
A. inc from a guilty conscience. Th
= latter little imagine how nearly the
d have guessed the truth. The secret
his unhappiness may be traced to
. letter which he received from Italy
q. few DAYS after Arthur Lancaster dealt
If The letter itself is no longer IN exls
~ ence, having been Immediately q
stroyed, but every word contained IN
ct is branded on his memory, and WI
8 haunt him to the day of his death.
as ran thus:
1r DEAR UNCLE MEDwYN: I am sending ti
IA letter to friend in Italy to post, ana Dy .
III time YOU receive it 1 shall be no longer ll'l1
is have learned the secret which you SO iiU -,
al and generously concealed from me. pllo .
~, the person who brought the new. TO lG "a ;s
~ country. He is gone, imagining that u II IS "
ne intention to continue to defraEd you Oh y
"a rights The truth is that wish to take eye =,
:" precaution to conceal. if possible, the lno'i
H. of the sin am about to commit. -
lg l have thought the mater Uyo honor nor" a.
lg that of my dear parents, and to restore TO- y
hit what is legally yours by right, can on ny
lis effected in one way: sacrlflce my .e o az
''o fully with that object. Pray to the gooo u
to have mercy on my soul! ,, 49,
lte There is bright side to this terrible m m
IA fortune, for it has explained to me nluc :Il !,
~ seemed strange in your conduct. Forgive !
ng for the wrong 1 have unintentionally DO
you, ana try to think kindly OF your unnap
gu -English Paper.
III. Meteorological Item.