The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-01-02

NOiiiilSs 4hOilthNOil GdiNi. HNilliN ~hiio
therefore, my poor fellow; do just con-
slider that you have broken the law, and
the warders are only doing their duty
and earning their bread. and ifyou were
a warder tomorrow, you'd have to do
just what they do"
"Ay," said the warder, in passing,
"you may lecture the blOke, but you will
not make silk purse out of q sow's
ear"
That was true, but nevertheless the
smooth villain MoncktOn obtained a
great ascendency over this rough, shock
headed ruflian Burnley, and he got into
no more scrapes. He finished his two
sentences, and left before Monckton.
This precious pair revealed to each
other certain passages in their beautl-
full lives. MOnckton's were only half
condolences, but Burnley told MOncktOn
he had been concerned with others in a
burglary at Stockton, and also in the
death of an Ovarseer in a mine in Wales,
and gave the particulars with sort OF
quaking gusto, and washing his hands
nervously in the tainted air all the time.
To be sure the overseer had earned his
fate: he had himself been guilty Of
crime-he had been true to his employ
er.
The grateful Burnley left Portland at
last, and promised faithfully to send
word to certain friend of MOncktOn's,
in London, where he was, and what he
was doing. Meantime he begged his
way northward from Portland, for the
southern provinces were n dead letter
to him.
Moncktons wife wrote to him as oft
en- as the rules of the jail permitted,
and her letters were full of affection,
80 l,nf thn,,. mol ion NrnrpII
be shortened. She went into all the de-
tails of her life, and it was now credi-
table one. Young women are educated
practically in Germany; and Lucy was
not only good. scholar, and almost
linguist, but excellent at all needle
work, and, better still. could cut dresses
and other garments in the best pos
sible style. After one or two inferior
places, she got situation with an Eng
fish countess; and from that time she
was passed as treasure from one mem
Der of the aristocracy to another, and
received high stipends, and presents of
at least equal value. Being Il German,
she put by money, and let her husband
know it. But in the seventh year of
her enforced widowhood her letters be-
gan to undergo subtle changes. one aft
er another
First there were little exhibitions of
Impotence. Then there were.signs Of
languor and diminution of gush.
Then there were stronger prOtesta-
tons of affection than ever.
Then there were mixed with these
prOtestatiOns queries whether the truest
affection was not that which provided
for the interests of the beloved person.
Then in the eighth year of Monck-
toms Imprisonment she added to re-
marks of the above kind certain confess
siOnS that she was worn out with anX-
ieties, and felt herlonely condition; that
youth and beauty did not last forever;
that she had let slip opportunities of
doing herself substantial service, and
him too. if he could look at things as
coolly now as he used to: and she began
to think she had done wrong.
This line once adopted was never
given up, though it was accompanied
once or twice with passionate express
sions of regret at the vanity of long
cherished hopes. Then came letter
described herself as torn this way and
that way. and not knowing what to do
for the best, and inveighed against
Fate.
Then came long silence.
Then came short letter implOsing
him. if he loved her as she loved him.
to try and forget her, except as one who
would always watch over his interests,
and weep for him in secret.
"CrOcodile!" said Monckton, with o
cold sneer.
All this showed him it was his inter
est not to lose his hold on her. So he
always wrote to her in beautiful strain
of faith, affection, and constancy.
But this part of the comedy was cut
short by the lady disseminating the cor
respondence and concealing her address
for years.
"Ah!" said Monckton. "she wants to
cure me. That cock won't fight, my
beauty"
A month before he was let loose upon
society, came q surprise-a letter from
his wife, directing him to call at the
Office of certain solicitor in Serjeant's
Inn, Fleet Street, when he would re-
ceive ESQ upon his personal receipt, and
a similar sum from time to time, pro-
vided he made no attempt to discover
her, or in any way disturb her life. "Oh,
Leonard" said she, you ruined me
once. Pray do not destroy me again.
am in peace and comfort, and 1 am old
enough to know their value. Dear Leon
ard, offer them both to you. Pray,
pray do not despise them, and, what
ever you do. do not offend against the
law again. You see how strong it is"
Monckton read this with calm indif-
ference. He did not expect woman
to give him pension Internationally,
or without some little twaddle by way
of drawback. lie called on the lawyer,
and sent in his name. He was received
by the lawyer in person, and eyed very
keenly. 81 am directed to call here for
ESQ, sir" said he.
Eyes, Mr.. Monckton. l believe the
payment is conditional"
"No, sir; not the first ESQ. 1t is the
future payments that are to depend up
on my conniving at my wife's infidelity;"
and with that he handed him the letter.
The lawyer perused it, and said: you
are right, sir. The ESQ shall be paid to
you Immediately: but we must request
you to consider that our client is your
friend, and acts by our advice, and that
it will not either be graceful or delicate
to interpret her conduct to her dis
credit ~