St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-11-17
said Sam, with a shade OF embarrass.

said Sam, with shade OF embarrass,
ment.
"Oh!" said Lord Algernon, glancine
approvingly in the lookingglass at the
reflection of his Wallets handiwork.
"Well. take a cigar and a glass oil
curacao, and fire away
81 hear your nephew, Lord Reavely,
/ is going to be married" remarked Sam,
as he availed himself of Lord Algernon' $
hospitality. 'sMiss Annerly is the
young lad Us name, I'm told''
81 don't know much about my
nephew's affairs, but I believe that is
so,' said Lord Algernon, lighting a
cigarette.
II suppose Lord Eastwood is not
aware that the young lady's mother is
the daughter of a publican and the
sister OF a convict" said Sam, endeay-
oring to look unconcerned.
"No, by Jover' exclaimed Lord
Algernon with genuine surprise, "ycu
don't say so?
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, s.aIl can
say is, it is devilish lucky for the young
lady that my brother knows nothing Of
all this
81 suppose the Earl would forbid the
marriage" said Sam. eagerly.
"Most certainly; and don't think
Reavely would come up to the scratch,
either" said his Lordship, stroking his
| dyed mustache thoughtfully.
II 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, eh?" said Lord Algernon,
with a curious smile.
..Of course 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 it were
Perhaps you are right. In fact,
upon reflection, think l 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, it
would serve the Annerlys right to be
reminded of their proper position, %
said Sam.
Yes. 1t would be impossible to
conceal the reason for breaking off the
MATCH said Lord Algernon, with a
meaning glance. 81 suppose I may
take it that I should be renndering you a
service, also, Mr.. Markby,n he added,
pleasantly.
"Well, my Lord, I don't mind own
ing, between you and me, that I owe
the Annerlys a grudge," acquiesced
Sam, rather unwillingly. sBut the in
formation I have given your Lordship
is true, nevertheless, and thought you
might be glad to know it. y
81 am, Mr.. Markby. The more reflect
the more obvious my duty appears to
be. AS for the Annerlys. it is like their
Internal impudence," said Lord Alger-
non, gravely, though Sam fancied he
detected a grin about the corners of his
mouth. !" However, you may safely
leave the matter in my hands. By the
by, Markby," added his Lordship, in an
off-hand tone, "oddly enough was
coming to see you. just look at that
picture on the sofa there. I'm told it's
worth $780,
Your Lordship mustn't believe all
you are told,f said Sam, recognizing
the work of art referred to as an old
acquaintance. 81 suppose you took
it instead of cash?''
81 had to. That little thief Isaacs
insisted. Of course. it isn't worth half
what he says, laughed Lord Algernon,
good-humoredly. "I'll tell you what
though, Markby, you shall have it for
f2O0.
Sam was not unprepared for some
thing of this kind. He had brought his
check-bsok with him, knowing that
Lord Algernon never rendered a service
without some equivalent. He raised a
faint protest, but ultimately yielded
with good grace. The picture was in
trinsically almost valueless; but he did
not object to pay for the luxury of re-
venge, and he perceived that Lord AL
gernon needed some incentive. He
therefore wrote a check, and arranged
to send for the picture-Lord Algernon
volunteering to look in in the coarse of
a day Or two, and let him know the re-
suit of his mission.
His Lordship was better than his
word, for the very next afternoon he
stro1led into Sans shop and accosted
him in his sanctum.
9 / lost no time, you see. It was an
exceedingly unpleasant business" he
said, mysteriorlsly. My brother was
a good deal cut up for the youngsters
sake; but the marriage is off. Reavely,
| hear, is aWfnlly indignant with old