Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-25

I %6o postuark on the letter is Venice, Have vo,, any friend in that interesting city with a large heart, and purse to correspond who has been let into the secret and who wishes tr console you anonymously"
 It was not easy to reply to this. Mrs. Fer rari began to feel the first inward approaches of something like hatred toward Mr. Troy "I don't understand you, sir" she answered "f don't think this is joking matter.n
 Agnes interfered for the first time. She drew her chair a little nearer to her lepal counselor and friend.
 ssWhat is the most probable explanation. in your opinion?" she asked.
 s'I shall offend Mrs. Ferrari if I tell you. MT. Troy answered.
 "No, sir, you won't!'' cried Mrs. Ferrari- hating MT. Troy undsguisedly by this time.
 The lawyer leaned back in his chair. "Verv we'll" he said in his most good humored man. ner "Let's have it out. Observe, madame. I don't dispute your view of the position of affairs at the palace in Venice. You have your husbands letters to justify you, and you have also the significant fact that Lady Montbarry's maid did really leave the house. We will say, then, that Lord Montbarry has presumably been made the victim of a foul wrong; that MT. Ferrari was the first to find it out, and that the guilty persons had req sons to fear, not only that he would acuuaint Lord Montbarry with his discovery, but that he would be principal witness against them if the scandal was made public in a court of law. Now mark! admitting all this, draw a totally different conclusion from the con- clusion at which you have arrived. Here is your husband left ill this miserable household of three, under very awkward circumstances for him. What does he do? But for the banknote and the written message sent to you with it, should say that he had wisely withdrawn himself from association with dis graceful discovery and exposure by taking secretly to flight. The money modfies this view-unfavorably so far as MT. Ferrari is concerned. I still believe he is keeping out of the way. But l now say he is paid for keeping out of the way-and that banknote there on the table is the price of his absence, paid by the guilty persons to his wife,"
 Mrs. Ferrari's watery gray eyes frightened suddenly; Mrs. Ferrari's dull, drab colored complexion became enlivened by glow of brilliant red.
 "It's false" she cried. "Its a burning shame to speak of my husband ill that way!"
 "I told you should offend your' said Mr. Troy.
 of peace. She took the offended wife's hand :;
 
 side of his theory which reflected harshly on Ferrari. While he was still speaking the servant interrupted her by entering the room with wishing card. It was the card of Henry Westwick; and there was an ominous request written on it in pencil. q bring bad news. Let me see you for @ minute down stairs" Agnes immediately left the room
 Alone with Mrs. Ferrari, Mr. Troy per- mitted his natural kindness of heart to show itself on the surface at last. He tried to make his peace with the courier's wife.
 "You have every claim, my good soul, to resent a reflection cast upon your husband, :" he began. q may even say that I respect you for speaking so warmly in his defense. At the same time remember that am bound, in such.a serious matter as this, to tell you what is really in my mind. I can have no intention of offending you, seeing that am a total stranger to you and to MT. Ferrari A thousand pounds is large sum of money, and @ poor man may excusably be tempted by it to do nothing worse than to keep out of the way for awhile. My only interest, acting on your behalf, is to get at the truth. If you will give me time, see no reason to despai, of finding your husband yet"
 Ferrari's wife listened, without being con vinced; her narrow little mind, filled to it
  of MT. Troy, had no room left for tue pro cess of correcting its first impression. 1T an much obliged to you, sir," was all she said Her eyes were more communicative-hel eyes added, in their language, "You may say what you please; will never forgive you te my dying day."
 MT. Troy gave it up. He composedly wheeled his chair round. put Lis hands in hi pockets, and looked out of the window.
 After an interval of silence, the drawing room door was opened.
 Mr. Troy wheeled round again briskly tt the table, expecting to see Agnes. To hi surprise, there appeared, in her place, per feet stranger to hinl-a gentleman in the prime of life, with a marked expression o pain and embarrassment on his handsome face. He looked at MT. Troy, and bowed gravely.
 "I am so unfortunate as to have brought news to Miss Agnes Lockwood which ha. greatly distressed her," he said. "She has re tired to her room. am requested to make her excuses, and to speak to you in her place. Having introduced himself in those terms he noticed Mrs. Ferrari, and held out hi hand to her kindly. "It is some years since we last met. Emily" he said. II am afraid 1 you have almost forgotten the Master | Henry of old times" Emily in some little confusion, made her acknowledgements, ant 1 begged to know if she could be of any use tc Miss Lockwood. ''The old nurse is with her, , Henry answered, "they will be better left to gether." He turned once pore to MT. Troy II ought to tell you," he said, 'that my name is Henry Westwick. am the younger brother of the late Lord Montbarry." | "The late Lord Montbarry!" MT. Troy ex l claimed.
 My brother died at Venice yesterday even ing. There is the telegram" With thai startling answer he handed the paper to MT Troy.
 The message was ill these words:
 "Lady Montbarry, Venice. To Stepher Robert Westwick, Newbury's hotel London It is useless to take the journey. Lord Mont barry died of bronchitis at $40 this evening All needful details by post"
 "Was this expected, sir?" the lawyer asked
 "I cannot say that it has taken us entirely by surprise" Henry answered. My brother Ste 1 phen (Hho is now the head of the family re ceved telegram three days since, informing him that alarming symptoms had declared themselves, and that second physician hac been called in He telegraphed back to say that he had left Ireland for London. on his way tt l Venice, and to direct that any further mes sage might be sent to his hotel. The reply | came in a second telegram. It announced that Lord Montbarry was ill a state of insen | sihilitv and that in his brief intervals o1