Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-11-09
A GUILTY SECRET.

Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster looked for.
ward to the arrival in England of his
Eephew-the head of the family-wi;5
almost morbid interest. The lad had
been brought up in Italy under the care
of his mothers relatives and was coming
over to complet' his education OF Cam
bridge University, in accordance with
ne directions contained in his fathers
will. Arthur Lancaster was then nine.
teen, and in less than two years time
would inherit the vast estates which
had belonged to the Lancasters for
generations.
Mr.. Meiwyn Lancaster had never set
eyes en- his nephew. nor sought to do
SO. The birth OF the lad had ruined his
expectations and soured his temper.
No one ever anticipated that Colonel
Lancaster would marry second time,
after the disastrous result of his first
matriluor!a l venture, and Medwyn Lam
caster WAS always regarded as heir to
the pro-. rty. But after leading an
irreg&!0, and dissipa life for several
years. Colonel Lancaster welded en-
secondCs noces an Italian lady of good
family, and settled down in Italy. Med
wyn Lancaster was much shocked by
this unexpected event and did not con-
ceal his resentment. A GOODNESS sprang
up between the brothers. which culmi-
mated in an open rupture when, in due
course, an heir was born. Medwyn Lam
caster, maddened by disappointment, set
to work somewhat ostentatiouslyt to salts
fly himself of the death of his brothers
first wife who had deserted him many
years previously. Colonel Lancaster
naturally felt highly indignant at this
proceeding, and, being hot-tempered
man, expressed his opinion with charac-
teristic freedom. He died shortly after
wards, being then WidOWer for the sec
ond time, and either from genuine dis
trust Of his brother, or with the intention
or putting deliberate slight upon him,
he left directions that his son and heir
should be educated in Italy by his moth
erS family, until he was old enough to
GO % an English University to qualify
himself for his position in his own coun-
try.
or many years Medywn Lancaster
c!ung desperately to the hope that the
boy would die. He Was reported to be
delicate, and the anxious uncle-with-
out holding any intercourse with the
lads guardians-took care to keep him
self informed as to the state of health.
The reports which reached him were
not untavOrable to his own chances. The
boy had many illnesses and required
constant care and attention. But some
how the year rolled on and Arthur Lam
RI -ISf Ia
Medwyn began to grow seriously uneasy,
and though his belief that the boy would
not attain frzl age almosT amounted to
infatuatiOn, he l0ngeG to see him and
judge tor himself the true state of the
ca>c.
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. But
the English climate appeared to make
no impression upon him, while the
attitude aud skill which he displayed
in al! athletic exercises testified to the
vigor of his frame. The young man took
to cricket and boating as naturally as
duck takes to the water, and soon began
to develop his muscles and to lose his
somewhat fragile aspect. Medwyn Lam
caster could not conceal from himself,
therefore, that his nephew was as strong
and healthy as any young man of his
age, and that his life" would be taken
without demur by the most fastidious as
Eurance Office in the kingdom.
Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster's position was,
perhaps, worthy of commiseration. He
had large and expensive family, and
occupied an important post under the
government which brought him more
distinction than profit. Being obliged
to live in London and move in good So
ciety, he had incurred debts which
pressed heavily upon him. His only
chance of extricating himself from his
embarrassments lay in the remote con.
tingency of his succeeding to the family
honors. No wonder, therefore, that he
realized that his eager expectations had
been based upon complete delusion.
Young Arthur Lancaster evinced the
strongest desire to ingratiate himself
with his uncle and his uncle's family.
He was lad of a bright, happy dispo 81
ton, and made friends wherever he
went He had probably been informed
shat his uncle cherished ill-feeling
against him, and seemed laudably anx-
sions. But all his efforts proved I'M
availinc, for Medwyn Lancaster had
brooded so many years over his griev-
ance that he could not be reconclled tc
the innocent cause of it. By degrees
the intercourse bet ween Arthur Ian
caster and his nearest relatives became
cold and constrained, for Medwyr
Lancaster did not attempt to disguise
his feelings, and his wife and children
were naturally influenced by his ex-
ample. The young man was the more
surprised and hurt at the treatment he
received, because his uncle's manner
towards him seemed to suggest that he
was guilty ofsome grievous wrong.
A few weeks before the coming OF age
of the young heir Mr.. Medwyn Ian as
ter was startled by receiving an anony
NOUS letter. in which the writer
said he had acquired importantinforma
ton respecting the first wife of the latt
Colonel Lancaster. Though this n1yster
ious communication excited him str nge
ly, moments reflection convinced hin
that it was unworthy of serious attention
He had long .ago satisfied himself tina
his brothe rs's first wife was dead at tn
time of his second marriage, SO tina
Understanding this anymous cor
respondent might possess respecting tn
unhappy woman could not be of mater
ial importance. His first impulse wa
to treat the letter with silent CONTEMPT
but he kept it by him for a day or two
and the result was that he felt impelle,
by kind of unhallowed curiosity to In
quire into the matter.
He was considerably surprised to fin
&bat his CORRESPONDENT was little at