Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-08-28

less an event than the sudden disappearance
of Lady Malise and Edith Langton. | had
seen them only the day before; and when
rode over to paw my usual call was told
that they had left suddenly for London
shortly after my departure from the house
Though I thought the matter strange, at
tributed it to some sudden freak on the
part of Lady Malise, and as Edith had left
no letter or message for me, to explain the
movement, naturally thought that few
days, at the most, would clear everything
four, and no news having reached me, |
began to become alarmed. That afternoon
T took the express to London, and called
Immediately at the Langton's town house
in Portman Square, expecting, OF course, to
find them there. Twas disappointed: They
had, it seems, stayed there one night, and
left on the following morning, the servant
thought for the Continent. Had they left
any letter? Yes, one, for Mr.. Chudleigh
Was 1 Mr.. Chudleigh? Certainly. (My
father, MIR. Bascom, was then alive.) |
tore open the letter, and was almost par.
alyzed by what saw. The words are yet
engraven on my memory, never to be et'
faced. They were these:
"'BAsE, HEARTLEss DECEIvER!
"'Oh cruel, cruel! You, to whom had given
my heart and pledged my troth. But saw you
with her, yes, saw you embracing-oh! viper
bless my mother that she opened my eyes tc
your abominable baseness before it was too late
You have made our home unberablo TO us both
| Henceforth we are aliens. L. L.
"'You can conceive my feelings, shall
not describe them to you. By what fatal
mistake could the being that loved best on
earth have thus been turned against me
knew not, but there was the damning evil
dence, and the certainty that she was gone
Snly
intellect. I employed detectives, as | am
now employing you. went to their fami.
ly bankers asked them if they knew of theil
Whereabouts. was ushered into the pres.
ence of the head of the firm, who looked al
me keenly through his spectacles as | asked
him the question. eyes, Mr.. Chudleigh,' ,
he replied, II do. But the orders of my
clients are imperative that their present
place of residence shall be revealed to no one
least of all to you," and with grave, stiff
bow he returned to his papers. l expert
enced no better fortune with the detectives
I employed. / learned, indeed that they
had gone to Paris, accompanied by only one
maid, but had almost Immediately left.
had the spas and capitals of Europe put
under surveillance at thousands of pounds
expense, but all to no purpose. If could
find their whereabouts, said I, I could very
easily make my peace with Edith. After
six months passed in fruitless endeaVor,
became discouraged. The mutterings of the
old crones of the country side took on
new Importance, from the startling charac
ter of the coincidence, until, in my brood
ing, I almost began to believe that the
whole was diabolical plot of Lady Malise
to rob me of my afianced bride-of all, in
fact, that made life worth living. I became
misanthropic and despondent, stunning
companionshipa and neglecting duties. Thus
it went on for three years, till last year my
father died, leaving me heir to 10000
year and an untarnished name. The year
that have spent in travel since his death
has somewhat swept the cobWebs away
no doubt; but, Bascom, haven't felt so ju
bilant for years as do tonight, for there is
no doubt in my mind that that is my Edith
The two ladies-one elderly, the Other
young-their retired habits, their wealth
'Langton" for "Lanton," above all the
likeness of the lady to the photo-every
thing convinces me that the mission of my
life is accomplished, and tomorrow I shall
be in the arms Of my Edith!
"Here Sir Arnold raised his fair-haireC
and herculean proportions to an erect pos
ture, and after pledging him in another glass
of wine, and promising to meet him mex
morning early to arrange the campaign,
took my departure"
"Well," said I, lighting another regala
II had no idea you had so intimate an &C
quaintance with our friend. Why, you are
the man to introduce me, not you, for
haven't seen Chudleigh since leaving Ok
Let's see how the thing came out"
"Next morning looked up Sir Arnold
according to appointment, and it was deci
ded that diplomacy must be employed ir
approaching the ladies in Brooklyn, as l.
they were really the Langtons (and we had
no doubt that such was the case), it was
quite probable that Lady Malise would
again use artifce in defeating any plans we
might make. Arrived at the place we were
fortunate enough to secure apartments over
tradesman's shop, on the opposite side o
movements of the enemy to the best advan
tage. The day passed without anyone
issuing from the mansion, except servants
Sir Arnold became restless, and, in spite OF
my efforts to make him observe caution, he
made up his mind to send in his card on the
following day, and trust to luck for the re-
suit. This plan was also deranged, for be-
tween and 10, while we were taking break.
fast, the sound Of wheels apprised us that
carriage was being driven round to the
gate opposite. Clearly there was no time
to be lost, so we instantly jumped up
and made for the street, with the intention
of following them up in hack, as l had
done in the first instance. A stable couple
of blocks off furnished the necessary means,
and we had the satisfaction of seeing the
other carriage, this time containing both
ladies, making in the direction of the ferry.
Forming a hasty council of war, we agreed
that the best plan was to follow them to
New York in our own conveyance, so that
when they entered some store or other, as
the probability was they were going on
shopping expedition, Sir Arnold could
follow them in, assure himself of their iden-
tity, and depend upon circumstances for
future action. Fortune, however, dictated
otherwise, for as their carriage was turning
up thoroughfare from the ferry, crowded
with vehicles, the coachman, in endeaVOr-
ing to steer between street car and a brew
latter, locked his off fore-Wheel with one OF
the wagons, and in an instant there was as
neat piece of confusion as it has ever been
my luck to witness. The spirited carriage
horses became unmanageble, and amidst
the oaths of coachman, street car driver and
drayman, and the screams of the ladies, we
jumped out of our hack, rushed up and, Sc
curing the heads of the carriage horses, man.
aged, after time to eXtricate the carriage
from the melee, though the wheel was too
badly loosened to permit ofmuc more driv-
ing without interviewing a WheelWright.
The younger lady had tainted and Sir Arnold
and myself, lifting her from the carriage,
bore her through the crowd to the drug
store-,tthe thing happened at a corner-and
Immediately commenced the work of resus-
citating, assisted by the elder lady, whose
anxiety was painful to witness. Please
| push that seltZar hottie this WaV Thank