The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-04-14


Brabaxon's deposition on oath. Silence, q |
very awkward silence, reigned for q few
moments, broken only by another sniR |
from Miss Medlar, indicating her determin- |
alton to make short work OF 1t when she
did begin. Mrs. Bracebridge was on the |
point Of tears and Brabazon co, Id see her
hands trembling as she sat. It w.s evident |
that the enemy meant him to commence |
q! have come at the very earliest oppor- |
tunity," he said, addressing himself to
Mrs. Bracebridge,. ITO clear myself of these |
most untounded charges which have been |
laid against me-"
Mrs. Bracebridge opened her lips, but |
only an inarticulate sound, more like a sob |
than any thing else, escaped them. Miss |
calculated, "1mpossible!''
II have not the slightest doubt Of being
able to do 80 as soon as / know on what
evidence the charges rest" he continued,
still addressing Mrs. Bracebridge.
when young officer in the army" in
terposed Miss Medlar, in voice Of singular
discordancy, makes presents OF all descrip-
tions, in style at once costly and profuse,
to young female in the lowest grade of
life" miss Medlar spoke as IL poor Lucinda
were 9 rag-picker) "there can be no ques-
ton OF innocence on either side"
'Pardon me-" said be, sternly, ssMiss
Medlar has forgotten that have already
given that story my most emphatic denial"
IA denial which will avail you nothing"
"Allow me to know at once on what your
assertions rest" said he, In a tone of un-
mistakeable command.
II have documents - replied Miss Medlar,
somewhat shaken by his authoritative
phasis on the word ''documents," (Which
prove incontestably that such presents
have passed. as I said, in profusion."
I'm my turn, must reply impossible"
said he.
.'Perhaps,' said Miss Medlar slowly, and
with withering emphasis, 'if l were to
mention jewelry--say, for instance, earn
rings, chains and lockets-as forming part
Of Captain Brabazon's charity to the girl
formation is very full. would advise him
not to tempt 1t too far''
~ am as much in the dark as ever" ex-
claimed Brabazon to Mrs. Bracebridge ~
can only, assure you that, SO far as know,
the unfortunate. child possesses neither
locket nor any other jewelry. And pray
recollect" he added eagerly, ''that this
poor young creature, whose character is at
stake as much as my own, has positively
been laid up with q shattered limb for the
greater part of this winter"
Miss Medlar started, and look of graft
fed malice passed over her acid features.
.Listen to that Mary!" she said. SNOW
will you believe what tell you! Captain
quoted to you" Mrs. Bracebridge only
sobbed audibly.
Again, 1 demand your proofs" said
Brabazon, after pause.
trinkets," continued Miss Medlar taking no no
notice Of the remark, ''as Captain Bra
bacon may have the hardihood to argue
that there is nothing absolutely convincing
in gifts of that nature, but what will he
dare to say when tell him that have the
same incontrovertible evidence to prove
presents of far more compromising kind,
such as no man could possibly provide ex-
cept for one with whom he was cOntem-
plating marriage and the establishment of
home. Bedding, for instance, and furni-
ture, and, blush to mention it, under
clothing Of various descriptions"
II Miss Medlar did blush, she contrived to
conceal all outward appearance of that
roseate tint than may be seen on the sur
'Ridiculo1sv' calculated Brabazon,
moyed now to indignation, yet not with
out a touch of amusement in his tone.
Miss Medlar, some one has been hoaxing
you. Underclothing and furniture! What
nonsense! Produce your evidence, and let
us put an end to this absurdity"
"Captain Brab"%on Is consummate ac-
tor" replied Miss Medlar, in tone which
plainly suggested the substitution of the
word "liar' for the last term; ''but," aud
here she rose from her chair and stood up
right, with look of bitter contempt in her
eyes, and q scream of triumph in her voice,
dacity to tell me that he is innocent!' And
she flung paper across the table to where
he sat.
Brabazon caught it, glanced at it eagerly
for q moment or two as one bewildered,
while Miss Medlar fired vOlley after volley
of shifts at him across the table, and then
he went into such a real and hearty fit of
laughter that even poor Mrs. Bracebridge
took heart and smiled family through her
tears.
my dear Mrs Bracebridge," said he,
hardly able to speak for laughter, ''this is
the most amusing mistake. But how on
earth did you get thisl' he added suddenly
turning to Miss Medlar. That lady was
considerably staggered, both by the laugh
ter and the question.
"It-it came into my possession" she
stammered, glaring angrily at him. and
feeling curiously small
II see it did," he retorted in a meaning
tone. "It is mine; had not missed it."
"He admits that it is his" said Miss Med
lar, returning to the charge once again, but
with her confidence slightly shaken.
II do, he said, ''most certainly; and all
these articles were supplied to me- but not
pose, but for fittings for little yacht Of
mine, the Lucy Cutter
Miss Medlar gave prodigious sniff of
contemptuous disbelief; the man was pre-
varicating
HAD not torn of the heading to give to
friend, you would have seen your mistake
in q moment"
''Vastly probable" muttered Miss Med
lar, with fine scorn. "All these items are,
you wish us to believe, merely fittings for
the yacht. Sheets, for example," snapped
Miss Medlar; still full of fight, but under
valuing her foe.
'Just SO, you can see they are made of
sManila;' you never heard OF that material
being used for bedding, did you, ladiesl"
''And we are to believe that yachts re-
Quire earrings chains and lockets! the
man must think we are fools" retorted
Miss Medlar.
Earrings, yes" he answered. it is a
common nautical term, as also chains,
which need not explain, but the other
item is not locket, but locker, as you will
see, II you look closer; though ! admit that
it might be better written"
dispensable requisite on board yacht;
and six or eight Tenders, II l recOllect right.
Good graciOus!" blurted Miss Medlar, "his
impudence is actually beyond every
thing!"
tThimbles form part of our sail gear"
he answered, smiling; ''and the Tenders are
not the hardware that you think them, but
things to hang over the ships side to pre-
Miss Mediar looked as If it would take
considerable number of these articles to
have any effect ON her at that moment, and
then another item cropped up in her mind
'sStays!'' she shrieksd. ''Steel stays! no
doubt they also were for the use Of the
| yacht!'
''Your intelligence does you great credit"
said he; ''such matters are Indispensable
for the support Of the masts. The mistake