St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-11-04
A GUILTY SECRET.

Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster looked fo
ward to the arrival in England of b
nephew-the head of the family-wii
almost morbid interest. The lad hs
been brought up in Italy under the cal
of his mothers relatives, and was cor
ing over to complete his education /,
Cambridge University. in accordant
with the directions contained in h
fathers will. Arthur Lancaster W.
then nineteen, and in less than tW
years time would inherit the vast estata
which had belonged to the Lancaste
for generations.
Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster had never S,
eyes on his nephew, nor sought to
so. The birth of the lad had ruined Ii
expectations and soured his tempe
No one ever anticipated that Colon,
Lancaster would marry a second tim,
after the disastrous result Of his fir
matrimonial venture, and Medwyn Lal
caster was always regarded as heir
the property. But after leading an j
regular and dissipated life for sever
years, Colonel Lancaster welded d
Italian lady Of good family, and settle
down in Italy. Medwyn Lancaster W;
much shocked by this unexpected even
and did not conceal his resentment.
GOODNESS sprang up between the brotl
ers, which eliminated in an open rup
ure when, in due course, an heir wa
born. Medwyn Lancaster, maddene
by disappointment, set to work some
what ostentatiously to satisfy himse
IF hn Of ~
who had deserted him many years pr
viously. Colonel. Lancaster natural
felt highly indignant at this proceed
ing, and, being hot-tempered man
expressed his opinion with characters
tic freedom. He died shortly afte1
wards, being then widower for til
second time, and either from genuin
distrust of his brother, or with the il
tention of putting a deliberate sligf
upon him, he left directions that h
son and heir should be educated in It:
" by his mothers family, until he WE
old enough to 90 to an English Univers
ty to qualify himself for his position
his own country.
For many years Medwyn Lancaste
chung desperately to the hope that tn
boy would die. He was reported to
delicate, and the anxious uncle-withou
holding any intercourse with the lad
.guardians-took care to keep himse
informed as to his state of health. Th
reports which reached him were nc
unfavorable to his own chances. TIL
boy had many illnesses, and require
constant care and attention. But some
how the years rolled on and Arthu
Lancaster continued to exist. His uncl
Medwyn began to grow seriously uneasy
and though his belief that the boy woul
not attain full age almost amounted t
infatuation, he 1onged to see him an
Judge for himself of the true state of tn
case.
Arthur Lancaster's appearance Ger
tainly did not justify gloomy forebod
ings. He turned out to be fine, hand
some young fellow, with pleasant man
ners, though by no means robust. Blu
tho proverbial treachery of the Englis1
climate appeared to make no impression
upon him. while the aptitude and skill
which he displayed in all athletic exer
cises testified to the vigor of his frame
The young man took to cricket ant
boating as naturally as duck takes t.
the water, and soon began to develo]
his muscles and to lose his somewha
fragile aspect. Medwyn Lancaste
could not conceal from himself, there
fore, that his nephew was as strong ant
healthy as any young man of his age
and that his "ifen would be take1
without demur by the most fastidioa
assurance office in the kingdom.
Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster sposition was
perhaps, worthy of commiseration. Fl,
had alarge and expensive family, ant
occupied an important post under tn,
Government which brought him more
distinction than profit. Being ohligee