The Brookhaven leader., 1883-11-15

/ revenge baSodt upon the discovery he
had made. But, though the secret of
Mrs. Annerly's origin seemed at first
sight to furnish promising material to
work upon, he found difficulty in util-,,
| ling it to his satisfaction. The An.
| nerlys had attained too firm foothold
/ in society to be easily assaulted, and
| though it would do them no good TO
have il spread about that Mrs Annerly
was the daughter of publican and the
| sister of returned convict, the scandal
was hardly likely to affect he'rposition
\ materially. The consequence was that
| Sam gloatcd over the compromising
secret for some months, while waiting
for an opportunity to turn it TO account.
! Meanwhile he cherished his resentment,
| for he was one of those morbid-mindcd
! individuals who brood over their
wrongs and never forget an injury.
At length the newspapers announced
the engagement of Miss Amy Annerly
with young Lord Rcavely, the Earl of
Bcstwoods son. As Sans vindictive-
ness was intensified by thrill of
4 jealousy, he perceived that the time had
come to discharge his venom. The oc-
caSion was promising, for it was hardly
! likely that Lord Reavcly could be aware
of Miss Annerly's antccedents. As for
| the Earl, Sam was convinced from what
| he had heard of him that he would
never consent to his son making such u
meSalliance. The prospect of breaking
off the match, thereby aiming blow at
| the Annerlys in general and at Miss
| Amy in particular, while at the same
| time giving circulation to the scandal,
filled him with savage satisfaction. He
was the more eager to avail himself of
the opportunity, because he realized
that, if the marriage took place, the
Aunerlys' social position would be SO
strengthened that his precious secret
would be valueless.
His first impulse was to communicate
direct with Lord Reavely or his father,
but he naturally preferred to keep in
the background. A more effectual and
at the same time safer plan seemed to
be to work his revenge through some
| influential third person. and with this
reflection the name of Lord Algcrnon
| Todd. the Earl of Bestwood's brother,
naturally occurred to him.
Lord Algernon was well-known
among the money-leDders at the West
| End of town, and he had also been
mixed up in many shady transactions
east of Temple Bar. Always impecun-
Gus, and by no means prescriptions,
| Lord AlgernOn was a ready tool of
company promoters, and though his
aristocratic name had long since lost its
alluring influence with the knowing
portion of the British public, he still
found it marketable commodity. With
! his family, however, LORD Algcrnon
had always contriyed to remain-out-
wardly, AT least-upon good terms, hav-
inc keen eve to his own interests. But
for this circumstance his reputation
would hardly have survived his moral
dpinquencies. As it was, many of the
best houses were closed against him,
but in club and on the turf, and, in
fact on neutral ground he was rather
popular than otherwise. on account of
his genial manners and his imperturba-
Bile good humor.
1t occurred to Sam Markby that
Lord Algernon might easily be prevailed
upon TO open the eyes of his brother,
the Eark and generally to make things
unpleasant for the Annery's. He knew
there was no love lost between him and
his nephew, so that the prospect of in
terfering with the lad 5 happiness would
not be likely to deter him. Moreoverit
was notorious that Lord Algcrnon was
the most obliging man in the world
when properly managed and Sam was
sufficiently well acquainted with him to
feel no hesitation about paying him
visit.
Lord AlgernOn always made point
of being pleasant and afiable to gentle
men of Sam Markby's peculiar line of
| business When he called he received
him in his bedroom, where he was I'M
dergoing the process of shaving, and he
greeted his visitor as Familiarity as
though he had been his dearest friend.
| At sign from his master, the we'll
trained valet placed a box of cigars and
liqueur stand at Sans elbow and dis
appeared.
"What is in the wind, Mr. Markby?"
inquired his Lordship, affably.
Il called to make a communication
of private nature to you, my Lord, "
| said Sam, with a shade OF embarrass-
| ment.
"Ohr' said Lord>Algernon, glancing
approvingly in the looking-glass at the
reelection of his Wallets handiwork.
well, take a cigar and glass of
curacao, and fire away"
Il hear your nephew, Lord Reavely,
is going to be married" remarked Sam,
as he availed himself of Lord Algernon's
hospitality. Miss Annerly is the
young lady's name, I'm told"
Il don't know much about my
nephew's affairs, but l believe that is
So" said Lord Algernon, lighting a
cigarette.
Il suppose Lord Eastwood is not
aware that the young lady's mother is
the daughter of publican and the
sister of "a convict" said Sam, endeav-
oring to look unconcerned.
"No, by Jove" exclaimed Lord
Elgernon with genuine surprise, "you
don't say SOP"
Sam proceeded to give Lord Algernon
all the information he possessed, and as
he had taken the trouble to verify Mr..
Montagu's statement, he was able to
convince his Lordship of the accuracy
| of his assertion.
"Well," remarked Lord Algernon,
coolly, when he had finished, "all can
say is, it is devilish lucky for the young
lady that my brother knows nothing of
all this"
Il suppose the Earl would forbid the
marriage said Sam, eagerly.
Most certainly; and l don't think
Reavely would come up to the scratch,