The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-01-19


have many times been offered more
than double that money, hut 5000
would not tempt me. They have beauty
and speed, and are to-day the fastest
double team in the State"
"Could you describe the man from
whom you bought themP" | asked,
Yes" said he, 1.-THE man from whom
purchased was medium sized, appar-
entity forty years of age, with hair
quite gray prematurely, | should
think-and his general appearance
clerical. One would not have taken
him for stockman. He was well in
formed and one of the most agreeable
conyersationalists ever met. "
explained my part in the history OF
the horses and how lost them. de
ignored my belief that they were the
same horses, but | brought forward
such overwhelming evidence in proof
of my ownership that he agreed to SUR
render.
| paid him 81, 900, the amount which
| received from the rogue, feeling that
he was the more injured of the two.
and received back my team, mutually
agreeing to spend another thousand, II
necessary, in bringing to justice our
thief; for we were persuaded that the
hunch-back, the twin brother and the
clerical-looking person were one and
the same individual.
A minute description was gwen to
detectives in the various large cities OF
our country; police reports were care
fully read, but nothing from our man
could be discovered Finally, believing
that he had been picked mp under some
assumed name aud imprisoned, had
almost allowed the matter to fade
| from my mind. when one winter, my
health falling me, needed the advice
of my physician and went to Florida
In St. Augustine took board at sort
of select hotel. patronized principally
by Northern families wintering there
for health and pleasure, and all of them
repre- sentatives of wealth. Among the
guests at the dinner table my first
evening there, was a young lady OF
rare beauty and engaging manners to
whom was introduced as Miss Ellie
Mcknight, the only daughter OF a
widow from Baltimore.
Our landlady turned TO the daughter
and said: Miss Efiie, ] have pleasing
news for you. Count Van Earl has
written. engaging rooms, saying we
may expect him in a day or two. /"
At this announcement the count be-
came the topic of conversation. and
saw in the pleased smile which fitted
across Miss Effie's face that the count;
coming interested her particularly; ant
in the two days preceding his arrival
| noted the eager interest she took il
every thing pertaining 10 him.
i have often thought that the pursui
of any coveted object up TO the yer.
eve of its possession is the most bliss
full state of human existence; there
nothing in the possessing of that objec
that even approaches the dreamy, hope
full, happy longing for tho time to com
when the cherished idol of our heart
will be ours to hold in contentment.
But this aside. Count Van Earl.
learned, had not only an immense fol
tune, but was heir prospective to a
extensive landed estate in England an
: Wales. He was an Oxford gradual
: and had taken an extra course in Edil
9 burgh. His travels had taken in ever
point of the compass, and he talke
like book about the beauties of Sib
!, rian wilds and the splendor of orient'
U skies; he had touched the mold All
!. must of ancient tombs, and wake
Il with the Turk among his moder
g graves; in fact. this titled scion of nj
Is bility was so promising an acquisitio
o to our select circle that it was not SUI
: prising to see an extra display of silv'
Is on the table for the greeting of I'll
count
;, remember well the morning OF h
u arrival. My room opened fronting II
u hall, and as he assembled the broa
q stairway in company with his valet,
l. had fair view of his face. 1t was I'll
e face of my notorious swindler and THE
g a face that once seen could hardly /
q forgotten, especially when the force I
d circumstances had photographed it O
a the memory, as in my case.
lie Now here was a dilemma. This ma
/ was society's pet and the alliance
1t husband of beautiful and aristocrat
g lady, aDdI stranger. But | resolve
IS TO act, and act at once. So leaving Il
y house | sought and obtained an into
r view with well-known detective wi
he carried the seal of authority, and a
so quainted him of the facts Togcth
is we returned to the house, and wake
II boldly to the counts" door. TT
n, officer introduced himself by giving ]
III name. but not his business, and said:
te Here is an old acquaintance w
"a desires an interview. /"
y. How do you do, Mr.. Albaugh,,h sa
IL ], ''glad to see you. y
TT what do you mean, sir, " said /
looming into a gentlenan's room
re, this rude wayP / am Count Van Ea
u sir; here Is my Caru.
at "And here is mime l answert
us "You remember that team you hir
nc at my stable for a three days drive.
recovered it three years afterwal,i, a
M now | want you. Captain Bowen,
lis take charge of this man." and
~ detective obeyed
M The rogue wilted at once and bege
to be shielded from exposure. I
re- affair had been so quietly worked Il
Tor when | went down and asked that d
he ner be sent TO the counts room and
ig' planned the reason. it fell like Dor
Miss Eiiie at first spm'ned the idea
The his guilt; but the detectives Shire
the questioning secured such a confess
OK as to condemn him even in the mine
en- his affianced, and she refused to see