Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-11-15

pdItuIc WIFI u TdtlldUt COuutcUduCc.
He was a 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 assailed, 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 the.rposition
materially. The consequence was that
Sam gloated 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
Bcstwood's 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
likely that Lord Reavely 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 a
mesallance. 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 a 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-lendcrs 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 prescriptions,
Lord Algernon was a ready tool of
company promoters, and though his
aristocratc name had long since lost its
alluring influence with the knowing
portion of the British public, he still
found it marketable commodity. " ith
his family, however, Lord Algernon
had always contrived to remain-out-
wardly, at least--upon good terms, hav-
ing a 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 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.
IL OCCutIcu w toIlu MIL MY tudt
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. Moreover it
was potoriouS 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 atfable 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
q liqueur stand at Sans elbow and dis
appeared.
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 shade of embarrass-
ment.
"Oh" said Lord Algcrnon, glancing
approvingly in the looking-glass at the
reflection of his Wallets handiwork.
"Well, take a cigar and glass of
curacao, and fire away
Il hear your nephew, Lord Reavely,
is going to be married." remarked Sam,
as he awaited himself of Lord Algernon's
hospitality. miss Annerly is the
young lady's name, I'm told"
Il don't know much about my
nephcw's affairs, but l believe that is
So" said Lord Algernon. lighting
cigarette.
Il suppose Lord Eastwood is not
aware that the young lady's mother is
the daughter of q publican and the
sister of 4 convict" said Sam, endeav-
oring to look unconcerned.
mo, by Jove!' 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"
Il suppose the Earl would forbid the
marriage said Sam. eagerly.
''Most certainly; and l don't think
Resvely would come up to the scratch,