Wichita eagle., 1888-05-06
UNCLE JOHNS LETTER.

Chapter from Real Life-The Story OF a
Now York Belle and Warning to 9th
ers Like Her-Married to Pretended
NobIeman and Abandoned in Den of
Vice Dead from Broken Heart and
Buried in Greenwood.
Especial New York Correspondence
It is less than ten years ago, since the
facts am about to relate, were written in
nv diary among the memoranda of life
that has been curiously associated with
strange events. About that time there ap-
peared in New York society a handsome,
well cultivated man of say two and thirty
years of age, who, wearing an English title
and bringing with him letters Of introduc-
ton from abroad, was at once accepted as a
welcome member of its choicest circles.
may as well explain at the beginning that
he was fraud and a Scoundrel Of the first
water.
As seems to be the habit Of fashionable
people in tho metropolis, however, no in
quiries were made concerning the stranger,
his credeqtials not being suspected, and he
easily floated along in the social swim, one
of the lions of the hour. He was a superb
conversationalist, had travelled much,
affected to know many distinguished people
and, in short, was well calculated to deceive
both men and women. There was some
thing fascinating about the free and easy
manners Of the rascal, for he sang well,
played billiards like an expert, told good
stories, gossipped Interestingly, possessed
the inoffensiye hateur Of Well-bred aris-
tocrat, and withal was apparently impartial
in his attentions to the fair sex. He drove
with one, sent flowers to another, made
nice, quotable little speeches to third, that
were sure to go the rounds, and so managed
to keep en- rapport with all
Naturally, such diplomatic conduct was
not without its effect, and balls teas, card
parties, receptions and dinners were gwen
in order to claim him as a guest. The un-
gathered roses Of Knlckerbockerdom al
seemed ready to drop into his net.
This condition of affairs continued
throughout the fashionable season in town,
and when it ended he followed the crowd TO
the watering places. At Saratoga he be-
came frequent visitor of a family who
We're sojourning in the Grand Union Hotel.
For obvious reasons, conceal their identity
under the name Of Courtcnay. The father
was man of large wealth; the mother,
fashionable, but d woman of strong common
sense; and the daughter, Helen, an attract
i've girl of eighteen, one of the lovelle5t OF
her sex.
The marked attentions of the Englishman
to the latter soon became subject OF com
mcnt and aroused no little jealousy among
her companions. He was by her side at all
entertainments. They took long strolls and
drives together, and it was evident that IN
his abandonment of society for her company
he was really in love and intended some
thing more than a mere Irritation.
One evening the couple remained out
rather later than Mrs. Courtenay thought
proper, and on demonstrating with her
daughter. the latter replied that the young
nobeman had asked her to become his wife.
Asked you to become his wife without
speaking to your father or myself on the
sub;ect?' exclaimed Mrs. Courtenay, eX-
citedly.
Well, of course, mamma, he intends to
speak to both of you about it, and will prob
ably do so tomorrow" replied Helen"
Day after day passed, however, and not a
word came from the pseudo Lord on the sub
ject. Finally Mrs. Courtenay said to her
husband my dear, you must speak to
Lord Gordon (for so we may conveniently
call him) this day. He has made Helen
very conspicuous by his attentions, and she
says he has asked her to become his wife"
Nhy did you not tell me this before,
wife? / shall talk to him at once and give
him to understand that no gentleman can
ask the hand Of my daughter and permit
twenty-four hours to pass without referring
to me on the subject"
The following day, however, witnessed a
startling change in the affairs of the little
household. Before breakfast, Helens
maid, with look of alright on her face
knocked at the door of Mrs. Courtenay's
chamber, and handing her a note, ex-
claimed: "Oh, madam, madam, l am afraid
something has happened, for Miss Helen
did not sleep in her bed last night, and
found this letter on her dressing table"
Hastily tearing it open Mrs Courtenay read:
"DEAR MAMMA: This afternoon LORD Cor
Con and l were married. By his special re-
quest every thing was conducted secretly.
We leave on the night boat for New York,
where we take the steamer for short wed