The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-10-07
stirs IN my mind, although why it does SO

luUe air, db VuOUSut lit udu DdIllSHeu III
timent and maudlin reflection; but as b
began to read the first one, a long, 10.
knock at the street door was heard. II
listened until his housekeeper replied to IT
and then the woman, presenting herself
said a lady wished to see him.
ga lady! And on such a night as this!
returned Hyltnan. 'tWho is she?"
"She would rather not give her name
sir" answered the housekeeper; "her visi
is on business of Importance, she says"
'sShow her in, them" replied the money
lender, who was probably used to seein
clients who would rather not give thei
names; then a lady entered, and took
seat placed by the ~housekeeper, who thel
left the room.
"Your visit is on business, I learn" be
gan Hyltman; "what can l.
The lady partially drew up her veil
which had been drawn closely over her face
and said, as the other paused:
81 did not like to say who | was befor
your servant. l am the unhappy mothe
OF the still more unhappy boy, Bertran
Lashbreigh, whom you are pursuing to hi
ruin. do not say he mas not deserved it
I know too well what his career has been
but he has always been a bright, affection
ate boy to me-"
She paused here, and had evidently
spoken with great difficulty. Hyltmar
m ade no reply; as the lady began to speak
he had started with some sudden surprise
pushing back his chair, he had bent E
| steady gaze on her. After a brief silence
she proceeded:
"You know, sir, I doubt not, the dreadful
trouble which has fallen on my family.
We are ruined; | am almost heart broken
and | am here to implore you not to crush
us utterly. You shall not lose i can pro,
| vide for your claim. My poor boy in
| another country may yet lave another
| chance; but ii you throw him into
| prison." Again she paused, Hyltman
still remaining silent. Here is the more
he owes you" she continued, producing a
purse, and taking some notes from it. Ill
any expenses have been incurred, let me
know the amount, and IL will strive TO
pay you, though Heaven knows She
cried bitterly, Il have now little left on
which l could raise a penny" Her emotion
at last overpowered her, and she burst
into a fit of hysterical sobbing.
"You-you have been raising money,
then, to pay this bill?" said Hyltnan.
when the first violence of this outbreak
had passed away; his voice was dry and
harsh, as though he spoke with great dnfi-
Guilty.
Yes" returned his visitor; my watch,
every article Of But that is Of no con-
sequence" she said with an attempt at a
tirmer tone. Il do it willingly; and if you
will only accept the money and withdraw
from the prosecution. you will have rem
dered me an inestimable service"
"Have YOU ever seen me before that you
thus appeal to me? Are you speaking as
to a friend?" was the unexpected reply OF
the money-lender.
His visitor looked at him in some sur
prise, but his wrinkled face, gray locks,
bushy gray eyebrows. with the gray beard
and moustache which almost covered his
face, plainly enough awoke no recollec-
ton in his mind; o did the piercing eyes
OF the money-lender, which looked her
through.
NO, sir" she said; Il am unfortunately
pleading as a stranger; but your aspect is
not that OF a harsh man, and l believeyou
will not reject my appeal
"Your Christian name, | believe, Is Care
]ine?" says Hyltman. He spoke meas
uredly, but there was a slight tremor
in his speech, which hardly betokened firm
ness.
Yes. SIR said the lady, Il did not
know that my name was OF any import
ance or =
THE young man has five sisters, / under
stand?" continued the other.
He is my only son." said the lady; "he
mas Three SlSlcIS anu Hail-oistCIS.
latter bear the name OF my first husband,
Mr.. Stoure."
The money-lender turned away his head
for a few seconds without speaking, while
the visitor anxiously awaited the result OF
his meditations.
81 will withdraw from the prosecution"
he began, land will inform the police this
"Oh, thank you.' exclaimed Mrs. Lash
breigh, clasping her hands. II beg your
pardon. sir, for in%terrupting you"
That you may be quite certain of my
sincerity" continued Hyltman, Il will de-
stroy the forged bill. l do not wish to
wound your feelings, but | must SO describe
it," he said, as the woman gave Il start and
a moan. Here it is; look at 1t, painful
though it may be do so; and now, o see,
I hold it in the flame OF this Jet OF gas. 1T
is gone, and no evidence exists against your
son. What else is necessary | will see to
ere l sleep tonight"
The astonished and grateful mother
poured forth a profusion OF broken thanks.
referring to the great kindness OF one who
vas a stranger to her.
YES" interrupted the other, and there
was a something in his tone which was al
most bitter, las you say, | am a stranger,
and so you did not expect any lenity. But
in your mind | shall be a stranger no lon
ger. You will recoliect me-, OF course. wher-
ever you may see me, no matter for change
OF place or lapse OF time
II could never forget you. sir. to the last
day OF my life l shall remember you and
your Kindness said Mrs. Lashbreigh earn
estly, yet with evident surprise at the turn
the money-lender's remarks had taken.
His only immediate reply was a short,
laugh, which was so old that for
the moment she felt quite uncomfortable.
but he continued calmly and coherently
Il need detain you no longer, Mrs. Lash
breigh. You will see FOUR son tomorrow"
With more thanks, but a little bewildered
by the mans strange speech and manner,
the visitor took her departure, and ere she
had been gone ten minutes the money-ien-
der sailed out, dreary and stormy as was
the night, and Went straight to the
police station.
Here his arrival was at first put down to
a cause totally opposed to the true one,
and the head officer on duty at once as
sured him that they had a clue to young
L~ashbreigh, who would be i'll custody be-
lore noon on the next day. Thesurprise OF
the worthy officer may beimagined on hear
ing that there had been a mistake made;
that there was no evidence against the
' ouI lldu d.lo oooSS dIi. biiSl l11
would be absolutely withdrawn. Yet for
information as to where he could
see Bertram Lashbreigh on the ! ext day.
the money lender intimated t At he would
pay literally, and he was promised that
his information should reach him early in |
.he morning.
Late as it was, Hyitman had yet another |
all to make, and before he returned home
1e had a somewhat stormy interview with
Grey, who would not hear OF withdraw
ng the reward, or of abandoning the prose
until his visitor told him fatty
he had destroyed the forged docu-
nent. At this his wrath broke out'against ,
dyltman, whom he threatened with legal
Proceedings for his conduct, but this made
,nly a slight impression on the money |
who perhaps knew, as he strongly
minated, Of some weak places in his adj
-ersary's armor, which would make it
injudieious to force a quarrel with
i'm.
The police officer was as good as his word,
md or the next morning a cab drew up at
he end OF one OF the lowest, perhaps most
dangerous streets in C~liftborough, and
this Mr., Hyltman alighted. His
inquiry of an old woman who opened the
at which he knocked was met by the
at denial of the presence there of Mr..
4ashbreigh, with strong reservations that
had never even heard of such a parson. |