The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-09-11
ALMOST A BURGLAR.
How Mrs. Valletort Saved Her
Husband from Crime.

People were always asking each
other how the Valletorts kept their
heads above water. They were known
to be in state of chronic impecunios-
ity, and yet, somehow or other. they
contrived to show bold front to the
world. Their pretty riverside villa at
Twickenham was furnished luxurious
ly. Captain Valletort, who had re-
tired from the service some years be-
fore, drove a dashing mail phaeton and
pair; and Mrs. Valletort was one of
the best-dressed women in London.
How it was done no one knew. Capt
ain Valletort dabbled on the Stock Ex-
change, and was one of the best ecarte
players going, but neither of these
sources of income was likely to afford
him the means of gratifying his very
expensive tastes. Mrs. Valletort had
no private fortune; but she, too, spent
good deal of money, although she
was always telling her friends she was
dreadfully hard up, for Edward had
made several unfortunate speculations
lately, ETC., etc.
Still, in spite OF this, the impecuni-
Gus pair lived in good style and were
apparently prosperous. They were in
debt, of course, but by some unknown
means they kept creditors and duns at
bay. They did not entertain much,
but as Mrs. Valletort was extremely
pretty. and her husband had the knack
of making himself agreeable in society
and made it a rule never to borrow
money of his friends, the Valletorts
were good deal in request at dinners
and dances during the season. People
were always glad to see them, for their
light-hearted, scmi-bohemian gayety
was wonderfully infectious, and no
dinner party at which they were pres
ent ever went off badly. Captain Val
letort was, besides, extremely popular
at his club-the Bayonet; and Charles
Fenton of the Guards, was in the habit
of saying that he would rather lend
money to Ned Valletort than to any
man he knew. 1t was fortunate he
took that view of the matter, for the
unhappy youth very often rose heavier
loser when the Captain employed his
talents against him; and it was equally
fortunate that the latter possessed the
difficult art of winning gracefully, for
ecarte was his principal means of
bringing grist to the mill, and many
men less philosophic than young Fen
ton might have declined to try their
luck a second time against such skill
as his, had it not been for the pleasant,
good-h umored, nonchalant way in
which the Captain pocketed his win
nings.
One morning the husband and wife
were seated at breakfast, when the
Captain looked up suddenly from a
newspaper he was carelessly reading.
and said with sudden eagerness, as his
eye caught an announcement among
the "deaths:"
'My dear, wasn't Lady Araminta
Belchambre godmother of yours?"
Eyes, but why do you ask?"
"She's dead-died at Mentone a
week ago"
Mrs. Valetort clasped her hands, and
her eyes frightened.
40, Ned! l wonder Tiff she has
left me any thing. l can't pretend to
be sorry she is Dead she added half
apologetically, "because she was ever
so old, and l haven't seen her since 1
was a child"
"My dear Lila, don't think that l
expected you to dissolve into tears at
the news" he interrupted, with short
laugh. "We always agree to be can
did with each other. You didn't care a
straw for Lady Araminta living; but if
she has really done her duty as a god
mother by putting you down in her
will for handsome sum | am quite
willing that you should get up any
amount of enthusiasm for her virtue
But, seriously, do you think it likely
she has done SOP"
II think it just possible she may"
said Mrs. Valletort, looking thought
fully at the flowers on the table. Il
wish had written to her oftener."
at is no good regretting any thing
of that sort now, my dear. We shall
probably hear in day or two from her
Soicitors-that is, if you are really
down for a legacy"
1T will be wonderful piece of
luck if l am" remarked his wife,
stirring her coffee thoughtfully. eve
are dreadfully short of money inst
now"
captain NalletOfJ aSSenteu.
''Do you think we could raise any
thing on my expectations" said Lila,
looking up brightly.
Pm afraid not. Old Morris made
no end of difficulty about the last adj
vance,"
Mrs. Valletort's pretty face clouded,
but only for a moment; her native
lightheartedness soon reasserted itself,
and all that morning she employed
herself in rearing a magnificent Spanish
castle on no more substantial founda-
ton than that afforded by the brief an
nouncement in the Times.
Some days later a long blue envelope,
addressed in neat, legal handwriting
was among the Heterogeneous heap o.
letters. invitations and bills Mrs. Vale