Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-02-05

he could not make up his mind to
change one day for another. Soa great
confectioner at Derby who sent out
feasts was charged with the affair, and
the Colonel's own kitchen was at his
service too. That was notall. BARLEY
was coming to do business. This had
been preceded by letter which Colonel
Clifford, it may be remembered, had
offered to show Grace Clifford. The
letter was thus worded:
COLONEL CLIFFoRD,-A pentent man
begs humbly to. approach you, and offer
what compensation is in his power. l de-
sire to pay Immediately to Walter Clifford
the sum of 900 1 have SO long robbed
him of, with five per cent. interest for the
use of it. 1t has brought me far more than
that in money, but money now find is not
happiness.
THE mine in which my friend has SO
nearly been destroyed-and his daughter,
who now, too late, l find is the only crea-
ture in the world | love-that mine is now
odious to me. l desire by deed to hand it
over to Hope and yourself, upon condition
that you follow the seams wherever they go,
and that you give me such share of the
profits during my lifetime as you think 1
deserve for my enterprise. This for my life
only, since shall leave all | have in the
world to that dear child, who will now be
your daughter, and perhaps never deign
again to look upon the erring man who
writes these lines.
81 should like, if you please, to retain the
farm, or at all events a hundred acres round
about the house to turn into orchards and
gardens, so that l may have some employ
ment, far from trade and its temptations,
for the remainder of my days"
In consequence of this letter deed
was drawn and engrossed, and BARLEY
had written to say he would come to
Clifford Hall and sign it, and have it
witnessed and delivered.
About nine o'clock in the evening one
of the detectives called on Colonel Cliff
ford to make private communication;
his mate had spotted a swell mobsman
rather a famous character. with the
usual number of aliases, but known to
the force as Mark Waddy; he was at the
Dun Cow; and possessing the gift of the
CAB in superative degree. had made
himself extremely popular. They had
both watched him pretty closely, but he
seemed not to be there for a job, but
only on the talking lay, probably So
thieves or other He had been seen to
exchange a hasty word with a clergy
man; but as Mark Waddy's acquaint-
ances were not amongst the clergy, that
would certainly be some pal that was
in something or other with him.
'What shrewd girl that must bel"
said the Colonel.
Il beg your pardon, Colonel" said the
man, not seeing the relevancy of this
observation.
"Oh, nothing" said the Colonel, "only
expect visit tomorrow at twelve
O'Clock from doubtful clergyman; Just
hang about the lawn on the chance of
my giving you signal"
Thus while Monckton was mounting
his batteries, his victims We're prepar-
ing defenseS i'll a sort of general way.
though they did not see their wav SO
clear as the enemy did.
Colonel Clitford's drawing-room was
a magnificent room, fifty feet long and
thirty feet wide. A number of French
windows opened on to a noble balcony,
with three short flights of stone steps
leading down to the lawn. The central
steps were broad, the side steps narrow.
There were four entrances to it: two by
double doors, and two by heavily cur
tanned apertures leading to little sub
Sldiary rooms.
At twelve O'Clock next day what with
the burst OF color from the pOtted flow
ers on the balcony, the white tents, and
the flags and streamers, and clear sun
shiny day gliding it all, the room look
ed palace OF pleasure" and no strang-
er peeping in could have dreamed that
it was the abode of care, and about to
be visited by gloomy Penitence and in
durable Fraud.
The first to arrive was BARLEY. with
a witness. lie was received kindly bv
Colonel Clifford and ushered into a
small room.
lie wanted another witness. SoJohn
Baker was sent for, and Bartley and he
We're cloSeted together, reading the
deed, etc. when footman brought in
a card, ''The Rev orend Allevn Mere
dith," and written underneath with a
pencil, in a female hand, Mrs. Walter
Clifford"
Admit them" said the Colonel.
firmly.
At this moment Grace, who had heard
the carriage drive up to the door. peep
ed through one of the heavy curtains
We have mentioned.
Has she actually Gomez" said she.
she has, indeed" said the Colonel.
looking very grave. "Will you stay and
receive herr"
"Oh no." said Grace, Mortified; "but
Ill take a good look at her through this
curtain. | have made little hole on
purpose" Then she slipped into the
little room and drew the curtain.
The servant opened the door, and the
false rector walked in, supporting on
his arm dark woman, still very beau
tiful; very plainly dressed, but well
dressed, agitated, yet self-possessed.
BE seated, madam" said the Colonel.
After a reasonable pause he began to
question her.
You We're married on the eleventh
day OF June, 1868. to gentleman of the
name Of Walter Clifford?'
Il was, Slr."
May l ask how long you lived with
him?"
The lady buried herface in herhands.
The question took her by surprise, and
this was woman's artifce to gain time
and answer cleverly.
But the ingenious Monckton gave it
happy turn. poor thing! Poor thing!"
said he.
"IIe left me the next day" said Lucy,
and have never seen him since"
Here Monckton interposed; he fan
cled he had seen the curtain move. "EX-
cuse me-" said he. 81 think there is
somebody listeningw and hewent swift
y and put his head through the ecurtain.