Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-11-09

wrongs and never forget an injury.
AT length the newspapers announced
the engagement of Miss Amy Anncrly
with young Lord Reavely, the Earl of
Bestwood's son. As Sans vindictive-
ness was intensified by thrill of
jealousy, he perceived that the time had
come to discharge his venom. The oc-
casion was promising, for it was hardly
likely that Lord Reavely could be aware
of Miss Anncrly's antccedents. As for
4 the Earl, Sam was convinced from what
he had heard of him that he would
never consent to his son making such
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
Annerlys' social position would be so
strengthened that his precious secret
would be valuelcss.
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 u 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 Bestwoods brother,
naturally occurred to him.
Lord Algcrnon was well-known
among the money-lenders at the West
End of town, and he had also been
mixed up in many shady transactions
east of Temple Bar. Always impecuni-
Gus, and by no means overscrupulons,
Lord Algernon was n 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 ii n marketable commodity. With
his family, however, Lord Algernon
had always cohtrived to remain-out-
wardly, at least-upon good terms, hav-
ing keen eye to his own interests. But
for this circumstance his reputation
would hardly have survived his moral
delinquencics. 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 Earl, and generally to make things
unpleasant for the Annerly's. He knew
there was no love lost between him and
his nephew, so that the prospect of in
terfering with the lad s happiness would
not be likely to deter him. Moreoverit
was notorious that Lord Algernon 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 q
visit.
| Lord Algernon always made point
of being pleasant and affable to gentle
men of Sam Markby's peculiar line of
business. When he called he received
him in his bedroom, where he was un-
dergoing the process of shaving, and he
greeted his visitor as familiarly as
though he had been his dearest friend.
At sign from his master. the we'll
trained valet placed box of cigars and
a liqueur stand at Sans elbow and dis
appeared. -,
"What is in the wind, Mr.. Markby?"
inquired his Lordship, atfably.
81 called to make a communication
of private nature to you, my Lord,
said Sam, with shade OF embarrass-
ment.
"Oh!' said Lord Algcrnon, glancing
approvingly in the looking-glass at the
reflection of his valets handiwork.
"Well. take 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"
al don't know much about my
nephew's affairs, but l believe that is
So, said Lord Algernon, lighting a
cigarette.
~ suppose Lord Bestwood is not
aware that the young lady's mother is
the daughter of a publican and the
sister of convict" said Sam, endeav-
oring to look unconcerned.
"No, by Joven' exclaimed Lord
Algernon 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"
II suppose the Earl would forbid the
marriage said Sam. eagerly.
| "Most certainly; and l, don't think
Reavely would come up to the scratch,
either" said his Lordship, stroking his
dyed mustache thoughtfully.
Il felt it my duty to tell your Lord
ship, remarked Sam, rather crestfallen
at Lord Algernon's demeanor, "before
it was too late.
"Too late! Oh! you think / ought
to interfere, chp'' said Lord Algcrnon,
with curious smile.
''Of course l don't presume to advise
or suggest; but imagined you might
consider it advisable to do so, my
Lord said Sam, endeavoring in vain
to hide his eagerness. "After all, the
Annerlys are marrying into your fam
lily under false pretenses, as il WERE"
Perhaps you are right. In fact,
upon reflection, think ought to open
my brothers. eyes. One owes some
thing to ones family. after all" re-
marked Lord Algernon, sententiously
"Quite so, my Lord. Besides, il
would serve the Annerlys right to bt
reminded of their proper position, y
said Sam.
"Yes. II would be impossible t.
conceal the reason for breaking off th'
match" said Lord Algernon, with {
meaning glance. ~ suppose i may
take it that 1 should be rendering you
service, also, Mr.. Markby," he added
pleasantly.
"Well, my Lord, don't mind own
ing, between you and me, that l ow'
! the Annerlys grudge," acquiesce'
Sam rather unwiIlinulv t Rut tho in