The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-09-14
The BLACK vALISE.

The excellent wife of the Rev. Sep
timus Medd felt vaguely uneasy on the
morning of her husbands departure for
London. He had never left her for a
single day since their marriage up
ward of ten years ago. He was mild,
easy-going parson,> of timorous dis
position, utterly ignorant OF the ways
of the world, and likely to be easily
imposed upon by designing persons.
When he came down to breakfast,
equipped for the journey, he looked
so pale and nervous that his wife said :
al wish l could come with you, Sep
timus. 1 feel sure you will get lost,
or something. You are like great
child"
"Oh! can take care of myself, my
love-" said the Rev. Septimus, stoutly.
you can set your mind at rest about
me- Beside, L shall be back in day
or two or by the end of the week at the
latest.
Where can write or telegraph, in
case L have anything to communicate 2"
inquired his wife.
well, you see, my darling, / don't
quite know whether L shall be able to
get in at the Tavistock," said the Rev.
Septimus, with an air of hesitation.
London is very full at this time of
year, I'm told. Perhaps / had better
arrange to call every morning for let
ters at the Charing Cross Postotfice.
Every we'll. Mind you write and let
me know what day you are coming
back. Here's the pony-chaise! Now,
Septimus, remember all I've told you.
and see that you get your full share of
your Aunt Julia's estate, for the chill
dren's sake Don't trust those Lon
don lawyers, and don't sign your name
to anything without thoroughly under
standing it. Come, children, say good
by to your father, or he will miss the
train.
The Rev. Septimus tore himself from
the bosom of his family with consider
able emotion, and took his seat in the
pony-trap, to be driven to the station.
His wife waved her hand as he dis
appeared from view, and shed furtive
tear on the doorstep before returning
to the house. She could not shake OFT
the uncomfortable foreboding that had
taken possession of her, and the next
day she wrote her husband a long let
ter, repeating all her injunctions and
warnings, and urging him to take care
OF himself.
Three days passed without bringing
any news, and Mrs. Medd's somewhat
unreasonable anxiety increased to such
q pitch that she could not refrain from
sending the Rev. Septimus telegram.
If he had been too busy to reply to her
letter, he, at all events, would not leave
a telegram unanswered-the more es-
pecially as she begged him to let her
hear from him at once. To her dis
may, however, her last communication
was not more successful than the first,
and she became seriously alarmed. She
felt certain he had not received her let
ter and telegram, and wondered un-
easily what could have happened to
him. Had he been suddenly taken i'll,
or had some more serious evil befallen
him? In the midst of her suspense
and perturbation she was startled by
receiving visit from Police Inspector,
who had driven over from the neigh
boring town.
"Are you Mrs. Medd, ma'am, the
wife of the Rev. Septimus Medd?" in
quired the officer, on being ushered into
the room.
eyes. Ny husband is away in Lon
don. What is the matter?" cries Mrs.
Medd, in an agony of apprehension.
Il have had telegram from the Lon
don police, directing me to ascertain
Mr. Medd's address in London, and
what his movements are" said the In
spector, mysteriously.
why! is anything wrong? For
heavens sake tell mep exclaimed the
distracted wife.
II hope not; but n suspicious indi-
vidual, giving the name of Smith, has
been apprehended in London on some
charge or other, and some of the lug
gage found in his possession is supposed
to belong to your husband"
"Good gracious He must have been
robbed" cried Mrs. Medd, turning
pale.
THAT is just what we want to find
out. VIII you kindly give me his adj
dress?"
Il don't know It," exclaimed Mrs.
Medd in despair. Il am anxiously ex-
pecting to hear from him. He may be
at the Tavistock Hotel in Covent Gar
den; but he told mo to address letters
to the Charing Cross Postoifice.
Have you done SOP" said the In
spector, making note in his pocket
book.
II wrote two or three days ago, and
have since sent telegram; but have
had no answer" said Mrs. Medd, burst
ing into tears.
"We can easily ascertain if he has
called there, and also whether he is
staying at the Tavistock Hotel, said
the Inspector, in matter-of fact tone.
"There is no cause for alarm at pres
ent."
"Are you driving back to Chichester
Let me come with YOU" cried the poor
lady. in painfully-agitated state. u