Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-28
Augusta D'Arcy," he had informed

turned to Frognal, where surprise
awaited me-a letter with an Essex
nostmark. Wondering, l tore it open
and read as follows:
Sir.-Last evenin o young lady,
dusty and seemin to have trampit
miles, stopt at my gate and axed tor
drink Of water, then fell down
a.faintin. Me and my husband carried
her into room as we lets there was
only 3 shillIns and your card ia her
pocket. We hopes you or somebody
will come, as we be ole foke.
Your humble servant,
MARTHA CoPPIN.
W,ldwood Cottage, Theydon Bo's
Road.
"well done, good Martha! " cried
7. "Jacobi, | am called away for
few hours. Try to amuse yourself I'M
I'll / return"
"Thou must be summoned by cara
AMIGA, milo Secratane, thy look Is SO
happy"
idew to ny partners, DR.. Vereker's.
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 dswn to Essex. We
caught the P. NJ. train. and az ! were
standing before Martha Coppin's honey
suckle.embowered cottage at Theydon
Bots. How | love that old Norman
name The setting sun cast long golden
rays through the tall forest trees by
which it was surrounded. What peace
full rural scene, and only one hours jour
ney from the dense East End Martha
herself opened the door, aud thankful
she was to see US. The young lady,
she said, was better after 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, 1t
seems, had sent to me without her
knowledge; then, recognizing me,
faint blush Of pleasure passed over her
pale face, and she timiily stretched out
a thin little hand. She looked ethe-
really beautiful-too fragile.
MY name is Teresa Delmar," said
she, telling her story. 81 was born at
Lima. My mother, who was a Peru
Wan, died when I was ten years old,
and my father, who was English, took
NE to school at Nice, for he was in the
army and could not see much OF his
little gIl. | lived at Nice for seven
happy years. During that time my
father came over to see me twice. lie
was about taking me from school when
that dreadful war broke out. Then the
news came that he was killed, and
it nearly broke my heart. After
ward came a 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 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 q
small house near the Regents Park.
lie was no longer the dear father OF my
childhood, but hard and stern. lie
placed an old housekeeper over me, and
forbade me corresponding with any one.
lie was my father, and it was my duty
TO obey him; but | was very I'M
happy" She paused, shedding a few
tears.
$50 on, dear child" said Mrs. Vere-
ker, taking her hand and retaining it.
"Once | told him how different be
was from the loving father | remem-
bered. lie was dreadfully angry with
me, and locked me up. But got out
some times in the early mornlng-the
housekeeper's niece was kind to me and
managed it. ! was wretched, for
be 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 a
few days ago to private lunatic asy-
lum near Ongar. | owed obedience to
parent, but none to mad doctor.
Yesterday crept through the garden
hedge, walking across the fields TO
avoid observation, and | escaped. |
hoped to reach London, but tainted
with fatigue at this good woman's gate. "
Obtaining a wagonette at neigh5or-
ing farm. for she was too weak to walk
the short distance to the station. we
brought the poor fugitive to DR.. We're
ker's house.
BY dint Of inquiries it transpired
that clerk at the bank in Lima had
lett his situation fey years previously
in order to become Colonel Delmar's
confidential secretary; he was with hin
up to the time of the siege. Having
possession of important document,
and intimate knowledge of his employ
ers' private affairs, besides being Of
similar age and stature. doubtless the
facilities for the preparation Of gigan
tic fraud tempted him, sacrificing
his right hand that his well-knowr
writing might not betray him. His next
step was to obtain possession Of Teresa
and the use Of her fortune, her father
having been sole guardian and trustee
to the young heiress. The impostOl
was never traced; perhaps we did not
try to do so, but let him off with hi
mutilated arm and ill-gotten spoil
which, after all, would only just keeI
him from absolute want for his life.
1.-The devils corn always grinds t.
chaff," said jacob.
To the world Of fashion it was giver
out that the marriage Of Lady August;
and Colonel Gonzales was broken off il
consequence of a quarrel, and that tn
Colonel had quilted England.
Teresa Delmar's health was very
delicate for some time, owing to thl
strain on her nervous system; but
thanks to a good constitution, by Hea
yen's blessing she rallied. Her choseI
residence was with my parents an'
sisters, at our simple country yicarage
great heiress though she was, unit
she attained her majority. She /
now the light and joy of her husband
: home. Can you guess who he is