The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-15

daughter! She gives herself the airs OF
a Duchess" {.
''They mostly do, my boy, when they
come from nothing. BY the by, -
added Mr.. Montagu, thoughtfully, '.she
had brother Once-a regular bad lot.
The last heard of him was that h, was
quodded for forgery, and believe he is
still alive
''You don't say sor' exclaimed Sam,
exultantly.
Mr.. Montagu seemed a good deal sur
prised at his young friends evident sat
isfaction; but he asked no questions.
and Sam shortly afterwards took his de-
parture with radiant countenance.
He was vindictive little man, and he
hurried off to concOct some scheme of
revenge based 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-
iZing 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 it spread about that Mrs. Annerly
was the daughter of publican and the
sister of returned convict, the scandal
was hardly likely to affect Their position
materially. The consequence was that
Sam gIoated 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-minded
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 Reavely, the Earl of
BeStwoodS son. As Sans vindictive-
ness was intensified by a thrill of
jealousy, he perceived that the time had
come to discharge his venom. The Oc-
casion was promising, for it was hardly
likel y that Lord Reavely could be aware
of Miss Annerly'S antecedents. AS for
| the Earl, Sam was convinced from what
he had herd of him that he would
never consent to his son making such Il
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 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 Algernon
Todd, the Earl of BeStwood's brother,
naturally occurred to him.
Lord Algernon was well-known
among the money-lenders at the West
mixed up in many shady transactions
east of Temple Bar. Always impecuni-
Gus, and by no means prescriptions,
Lord Algernon was 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 Algernon
had always contrived 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
delinquencieS. As it was, many of the
best houses were closed against him,
but lin 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 Annerlys. He knew
there was no love lost between him and
his nephew, so that the prospect of in
terfering with the lads happiness would
not be likely t. deter him. Moreover it |
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 a
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 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 box of cigars and
a iqueur stand at Sans elbow and dis
What is in the wind, Mr.. Markby?"
inquired his Lordship, affably.
Il called to make communication
of a private nature to you, my Lord"
said Sam, with a shade OF embarrass-
ment.
"Ohr said Lord Algernon, glancing
in the locking glass at the
reflection of his Wallets handiwork
"Well. take cigar and a glass of
curacao, and fire away"
q 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