Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-02
CHAPTER VII.
LORD PERIvALE,


Mr.. Harry Stoke had finished breakfast and
was waiting his wife In order to 20 to church
with her. as a respectable and God-fearing gen.
tleman should on Sunday morning His vile
for he had married with his fathers sanction
and approval-was none other than Lady Beat
rice, daughter Of the Earl and Countess of Thor
disa. He was himself the Honorable Harry
eldest son of Lord Perivale; the newest crea,
ton. No one could grudge the elevation of a
man who had achieved single handed what all
the men in the city are perpetuallt trying to do
with the aid of partners, ancestral connections
inherited capital and the brains of paid SER
wants; he had amassed an enormous fortune; all
governments love to honor the city and the
successful children Of the city; therefore there
was but one murmur Of approval when Mr.
John Stoke Of Threadneedle street was eIe-
waited to the peerage. And the fact that he
had made so much money was a sufficient rea-
son for making his children and his childreu's
children, so long as the stock should last a
caste apart and hereditary legislators.
The honorable gentleman looked perfectly
healthy, happy and contented with himself.
Why not9 His partnership enabled hum to
occupy good house in good square: his
marriage opened a great many good houses to
him; he had brace of fine, strong children.
one Of whom, the heir to the peerage, a little
boy Of two, had been brought down to play
with him. and was now rolling on the hearth
rug. The choicest gifts in store had been
poured into his lap, which was like q sack for
capacity, and was ready to receive more choice
gifts-the more and choicer the better.
Heaven certainly seems good indeed to the
richer creatures.
"Who is it?' he asked. 81 don't know the
name. What does he mean by coming on
Sunday morning."
Gentleman says he has to speak to you on
most important private business"
'Ohr' He thought it must be some message
<rn <ho Ill to "a
into the study. No, let him come here"
The visitor was an elderly gentleman,
dressed plainly, who entered, bowed and
waited to be asked his business.
well, sir" asked the Hon. Henry Stoke,
"Yes. Ihave brought You some news"
"What news2"
"You gave evidence in trial about three
years and half ago."
'What about that trial?" The Honorable
Harry turned very red and then pale. "who
are your
II am librarian Of free public library. II
really does not matter who am. You gave
evidence in . case of alleged stabbing and
wounding. Your evidence sent your own wife
to penal servituds for seven years."
my wife? It's . Me-s lie, say" He said
more, but the terros in his eyes greatly de-
tracted from the strength Of his words.
'Itis true, said the librarian, calmly. "Your
''Prove IL, il you oan."
II can. Itcan be proved very easily. You
took lodgings in q certain parish under the
name Of Hendricksen. Under that name Won
were married at the registrars OF that district
TO Ruth Heron. You continued In your lodR-
ings. and your wife, who lived with her sister,
visited You there. One Of your friends, / man
named Middlemist, then clerk in your iather's
Office, was In your confidence and was present
ct your marriage"
''Middiemist il dead"
Not at all He lost his place In your Office
and had 70 60 abroad. He has now come back
again and has made An anidavit Of the facts.