The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-03-07

room was empty lie had escaped by
small opening to corridor. Indeed Lord
Hartbury's coachman and footman in attend
ance with the carriage had seen him leave the
house deliberately, as If for walk. No
doubt he had made for the Metropolitan Rail
way.
"who and whqt lie this man :" exclaimed
Lord Hartbury.
can imposlor," cried I. ave must so to
Scotland Yard"
"stop, Philip" said he, much agitated,
and laying trembling hand on my arm.
Remember how our maine Is connected with
his. For my daughters sake we must try
and keep the affair from publicity" We
drove TO the Colonel's bankers in Lombard
street hehad preceded us by an hour, having
been there to withdraw some specie, and all
the diamonds deposited there for safety,
"for presentation TO Lady Augusta iArcy,"
he had informed them.
The two noblemen were doubtful no longer
the iiian vas Il scoundrel and they
drove of to the Peruvian Embassy to make
inquiries. | and Jacob returned toFrcsnal,
where surprise awaited me--a letter with
an Essex postmark. Wondering, | tore II
open, and read as follows:
SIR: Last evenin young lady, dusty and seemln
drink OF water, then fell down a.falntln. Me and
my husband carried her into a room az we let's;
there was only shlllns and yogr Ca, card In her
MARTHA CorfiS.
WILDWOOD COTTAGE, Theydon Bols Road.
"Well done, good Martha - cried |.
"Jacobi, am called away for few hours.
Try 10 amuse yourself until return"
"Thou must be summoned by a cara
amico, milo Secretano, thy look is so happy"
flew TO my partner's, DR.. Vereker. He
was out, but told Mrs. Vereker the whole
story of my meeting with the young girl.
Like the good practical woman she is, she
prepared at once TO accompany me down to
Essex. We caught the 8 =. NJ. train, and at
I were standing before Martha Coppin's
honeysuckle embowered cottage at Theydon
Bots. How l love that old Norman name
The setting sun cast long golden rays
through the tall forest trees by which 1t
was surrounded. What peaceful rural
scene, and only one hours journey from the
dense East End Martha herself opened the
door, and thankful she was to see us. The
young lady, she said, was better after a
nights rest and new milk, but mortal weak.
We found the young girl reclining in an old
arm. chair. She was at first startled at our
entrance, for the old woman, II seems, had
sent to me without her knowledge then,
recognizing me, a faint blush of pleasure
passed over her pale face, and she timidly
stretched out thin little hand. She looked
ethereally beautiful-too fragile.
"My name is Teresa Delmar," said she,
telling her story. was born at Lima. My
mother, who was Peruvian, died when 1
was ten years oil, and my father, who was
ltc1 tnpt tn c,,1,n 4 i'm far 1,a
was in the army, and could not see much of
his little girl. I lived at Nice for seven
happy years. During that time my father
came over to see me twice. He was about
taking me from school when that dreadful
war broke out Then the news came that he
was killed, and 1t nearly broke my heart.
Afterward came letter telling me 1t was not
so-he was spared, but with the loss of his
right hand. Then he sent for me home to
London. One of the governesses travelled
with me to take care of me. My father met me
at Dover. was shocked at the change in
him, for he had been great sufferer from
his wounds. He took me to small house
near the Regents Park. He was no longer
the dear father of my childhood, but hard
and stern. He placed an old housekeeper
over me, and forbade me corresponding with
any one. He was my father, and it was my
duty to obey him; but was very unhappy"
She paused, shedding a few tears.
eco on, dear child" said Mrs. Vereker,
taking her hand and retaining it.
''Once told him how different he was
from the loving father l remembered. He
was dreadfully angry with me, and locked
| me up. But got out sometimes in the early
morning-the housekeeper's niece was good
| to me and managed it. was wretched, for
| he said was mad! am not-though | have
had enough to make me SO. | longed to be
at rest. You saved me. was very wicked,
know. My father, who now seldom came
| to the house, took me few days ago to a
private lunaiic asylum near ODgar. owed
obedience to a parent, but none to a mad
doctor. Yesterday crept through the garden
hedge, walking across the fields to avoid Oh
servation, and escaped l hoped to reach
London, but tainted with fatigue at this good
| woman's gate"
Obtaining wagonette at a neighboring
farm, for she was too weak to walk the short
distance to the station, we brought the poor
fugitive to DR.. Vereker's house.
| By dint of inquiries it transpired that a
clerk at the bank in Lima had left his situa.
tion few years previously In order to be-
come Col. Delmar's confidential secretary;
he was with him up to the time OF the
siege. Having possession Of important docu
ments, and an intimate knowledge OF his
employers private affairs, besides being Of
similar age and stature, doubtless the facili-
ties for the preparation Of gigantic fraud
tempted him, sacrificing his right hand that
his well-known writing might not betray him.
His next step was to obtain possession OIL
Teresa and the use of her fortune, her father
having been sole guardian and trustee to the
young heiress. The impostor was never
traced; perhaps we did not try to do so, but
let him off with his mutilated arm and ILL
gotten spoil, which, after ALL would only
just keep him from absolute want for his life
''The DEVILS corn always grinds to chat, u
said jacob.
To the world of fashion it was given out
that the marriage of Lady Augusta and Col
Gonzales was broken off in consequence of 6
quarrel, and that the Colonel had quilted
England.
Teresa Delmar's health was very delicat,
for some time, owing to the strain on hel
nervous system; but, thanks to good con
stitution, by Heavens blessing she rallied
Her chosen residence was with my parents
and sisters, at our simple country vicarage
great heiress though she was, until she at
tanned her majority. She is now the ligh
and Joy of her husbands home. Can yor
guess who he is ?-Jessie Macleod in Beiyapia