West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-11-16

MS huutIiJ origin seemed at lrSt
sight to furnish promising material 20
work upon, he found difficulty in util-
ling it to his satisfaction. The An.
nerlys had attained too firm "A foothold
in society 20 be easily assailcd. and
though il would do them no good 10
have ii spread about that Mrs. Auncrly
was the daughter of a publican and the
sister of n returned convict. the scandal
was hardly likely TO affect the position
materially. The consequence was that
sam gloatcd over the compromising
secret for some months, whilo waiting
for an opportunity 10 turn il 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 Anncrly
with young Lord Reayely. the Earl OF
BestwoOPs son. As Sans Vindictive-
ness was intensified by n thrill of
jealousy, lac perceived that the time had
come 20 discharge his venom. The oc-
caSion was promising. for it was hardly
likely that Lord Reavcly could be aware
of Miss Annerly's antecedents. As for
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 a 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 valueless.
His first impulse was to communicate
direct with Lord Reavcly or his father.
but he naturally preferred TO keep i'm
the background. A more clTectual and
ut the same time n safer plan seemed TO
be TO work his revenge through some
influential third person, and with this
reflection the name of Lord Algyrnon
Todd. the Earl of Bestwood's brother
naturally occurred TO him
Lord Algcrnon was weil-known
among the money-lcnders ut the West
End of town, and he had also been
mixed up in many shady transactions
east of Temple Bar. Always impccun;-
Gus, and by no means prescriptions,
Lord Algcrnon was ready tool of
N'iAAIs llplADANASs anu iIDN0n HIS
ar.stocratic name had long since lost its
aliuring influence with the knowing
portion of the British public, he still
found it marketable commodity. With
his family, however Lord Aloernon
had always contrived to remain-out-
wardly, NJ lcast-upon good terms, hav-
inc a keen eye to his own interests. But
for this circumstance his reputation
would hardly have survived his moral
dclnquencics. As il 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-
bic good humor
1t occurred to Sam Mar<by 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 Amerly s. lie knew
there was no love lost between him and
his nephew, so that the prospect of in
tcrfering with the lad happiness would
not ne likely to deter him Moreoycrit
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 atablc 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 rs familiarlv as
though he had been his dearest friend. /
At sign from his master. the woll-
trained valet placed box OF cigars and
a liqueur stand at SANS elbow and dis
"What is in the wind. Mr.. MarkbyP"
inquired his Lordship, allablv
u called to make q communication
of private nature TO you, my Lord,
said sam, with a shade OF embarrass-
mcnt.
"Oh'' said Lord Algrrnon, glancing
in the looking-glass mt the
reelection OF his Wallets handiwork.
"Well, take cigar and a glass of
curacao, and fire away
Il hear your nephew, Lord Reayclv. +.
is going to be- married. " remarked sam. .
as he availed himself OF Lord Aleeruon's /.
"Miss Anuerly is the .
young lady's name, I'm told"
o. don't know much about my
nephew affairs but / believe that is I.
so, said Lord Algernon. lighting q
q suppose Lord Eastwood f. not
aware that the young lady mother is T.
the daughter Of publican and the
sister OF p convict. Said sam. cudeay-
or.ng 10 look unconccrued.
No, by Joye. exclaimed Lord
Algcrnon with genuine surprise. "you
don't say sO?'
Sam proceeded To- give Lord Algnrnon I.
all the Information he possessed and 90,
he had taken the trouble 90 verify Sir.
Moniagu statement, ho was able to
convince hi- Lorl-h.p of the accuracy
OF DTS assertion.
Well remarked Lord Mgernon.
coO.ly when Poe had finished. call con .
say i-. 10 is deyil $40 lucky for llc Young
lady that roy brother knows nothing ol
all this"
~ suppose Che Earl would forbid Che
marriage, said Sam. eagerly.
Most certainly, and j don't tlnb f.
Reavcly would come up TO Jhe scratch. .
either said hi- Lord hip. s.rOtiur hs
dyed mI-tacHg thoIgltiuIIv
"l fail i' my duty iD teII Your Lord. .
ship. remarked Sam. rather .ra-tn .I.u 4
at Lord AI-auou' oem.1uOr "u.l9.c
Do was 'o, la'e.
"I.o .ats' Oh, You think + ougbt
70 interfere. eh. s.iI Lord Nver1uu .