Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-20
great impression. 1t certainly did appear

problems stood in the sunlight Presently
the Colonel entered, shaking hands with
them in an easy manner. He wore rich
Crimson silk robe de chambre With his
black hair and pale complexion, he GER
tainiy looked picture-like The loose cuff
of his right arm was looped up to his vest
He glanced inquiringly toward Jacob and
rae.
These gentlemen tell me they already
enjoy the privilege of your acquaintance,
Colonel " said Lord Hartbury.
Yes, in Paris" said jacob, starting
forward and placing the cast of his hand
Immediately before him with the quick
ness of lightning. This little memento
will remind"
Words cannot describe the effect of the
announcement; | trust never again to see
fellow creature receive such mental shock.
He pushed back the cast with his left hand,
its fellow, its counterpart-eveni in white
ness. He tried to speak, but failed; he
staggered to a chair and sat down, great
drops of agony on his pallid forehead
Take that horrid thing awaym he
gasped in low hoarse voice, struggling
hard to rally, the father and son looking at
him in dismay. Excuse me-" he contin-
ned, " but in warfare have gone through
such horrors that frightful object sud
denly presented to me-has-has-startl
me-"
1T is the cast of your own right hand
amputated by me two years ago last No
yember; it was perfect hand unnamed
You came to me in the evening My name
is Jaeobi.''
You lie"
Philip seeretan, step forward" said
Lord Hartbury
l obeyed, and our eyes meeting, saw
that he recognized me. Both these gen.
tlemen," continued the Earl, swear to
having known you in Paris under strange
circumstances. What are we to conclude
Philip Secretan l have known from his
boyhood; he is truthful as one of my own
sons. Why are you so agitated?"
This would agitate any man of honor
cried the soi-dstant Colonel, suddenly
springing to his feet, g to be insulted so in
amously-though of what you suspect me
heaven knows | will fetch you ample
proof that | was in Lima the very month
you mention
BY your leave we will accompany you"
Lord darcy coolly.
Only yourself and Lord Hartburv. if
you please. As you will soon be such near
relations, of course /"
Colonel Gonzalez do not mention that
subject at present." interrupted the Earl,
who, with his son, followed the Colonel
from the room up the richly carpeted stair
case.
This is my dressing room-will YOU
kindly wait here? The papers are in my
sleeping chamber Entering an inner
room he closed the door, and the two no.
blemen heard him unlocking and opening
drawers apparently; then all was silent
As he did not come back, they tapped at
the door-no answer: turned the handle of
the lock-it was fastened. Convinced that
something was wrong. they summoned ia
cobb and me. Our combined efforts forced
the door. The room was empty. He had
escaped by a small door opening to a corri-
dor. lndeed Lord Hartbury's coachman
and footman in attendance with the car
riage had seen him leave the house delib-
erately, as if for walk. No doubt he had
made for the Metropolitan Railway.
Who and what is this MANI" exclaimed
Lord Hartbury.
An impostor," cried I. 1--WE must go
to Scotland Yard"
and laying trembling hand on my arm.
" Remember how our name is connected
with his. For my daughters sake we ,nust
try and keep the affair from publicity y
We drove to the Colonels banker in Lom-
bard street; he had preceded us by an hour,
having been there to withdraw some specie,
and all the diamonds deposited there for
safety, Tor presentation to Lady Augusta
d Arcy," he had informed them.
The two noblemen were doubtful no
longer-the man was a scoundrel; and
they drove of to the Peruvian Embassy to
make inquiries. | and jacob returned to
Frognal, where a surprise awaited me-a
letter with an Essex postmark Wonder
ing, tore il open, and read as follows
SIR: Last evenin a young lady. dusty and
seemin to have trampit miles, stopt at my gate
and axed for drink of water then fell down
a-iaintin Ne and my husband carried her into
a room as we lets; there was only shil!ins and
your card in her pocket. We hopes you or
sS0me9loday g as we Be ole oke Your
wildwood Cottage, Theydon Bots Road.
Wei done, good Marthan' cried 1.
jacob, am called away for few hours.
Try to amuse yourself until | return
Thou must be summoned by cara
AMIGA, milo Secrctano, thy look is so hap
py."
flew to my partners, 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 p N. train. and
at were standing before Martha Coppin's
honeysuckie- embowered cottage at They
don Bots. How | love that old Norman
namel 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 bet
q oh nd y,
mortal weak. We found the young girl re-
Ginning in an old armchair. She was at
first startled at our entrance, for the old
woman, it 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 a thin
little hand. She looked ethereally heauti-
ful-too fragile
My name is Teresa Delmar," said she.
telling her story. = was born at Lima.
My mother, who was a Peruvian, died when
was 10 years old, and my father, who was
English, took me to school at Nice, for he
was in the army, and could not see much
of his little girl. l lived at Nice for seven
happy years. During that time nv 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 il nearly broke my heart
Aiterward came letter telling me it 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 trav-
eled with me to take,care of me. Father met
me at Dover. / was shocked at the change
IN him, tor he had been great sufferer
from his wounds. He took me to a small
house near the Regents Park He was no
longer the dear father of my childhood, but
hard and stern. H : was my father, and it
was my duty to obey him; but was very
unhappy" She paused, shedding few
tears.
:" Go on, dear Child said Mrs. Vereker,
taking her hand and retaining it.
Once told him how different he was
from the loving father remembered. He