The rustler., 1891-12-18

AR Thrlfispcndcr took thc case. and.
with hugers who's trembling be was
unable to control. hrouFht - light
gold and coral haby's rattle. = signct
ring. aud a small rnld.muunted minia-
turc un iFury. ou the rattle the in-
tials 90. 7. .. were engraved. the
ring hurc the hrixtnn coat-uf.arms. cut
On a blackstone. and the miniature was
a portrait 81 Lady Mary's mother
''>tili fail b see what these have 10
with me. a. length h. said. for Il was
more natural 30 him 10 lie than to speak
the truth.
Then. Mr. Thriftspendcr. sir I've
made n mistake. said bowling. rising
from his seat. land ! ask your pardon
for troubling you with them. I've a
letter also which purports 70 b. In the
handwriting of tle little boys mother.
signed Mary llrixton. and authcnticat-
ing the child This. with these trim
kets, ] shall place tomorrow morning
In the hands 81 Mcssrs Ludwig q Lud-
wig. who I understand. are the family
lawyers. In case you may wish 10
communicate with me sir, that adj
dress. handing him piece Of paper.
will find me. and pocketing the trim
kcts Mr.. Bowling withdrew.
Left alone, Mr.. Thriftspendcr lay
back la his chair unnervcd. trembling
In every limb, face te face with the
most terrible Of old bogies Of usman
with the'neryous dyspepsia "A pressing
alternative.
On the one hand. poverty with its
attendant train OF discomforts and un-
bearable anNietics and cheese. parings;
on the other riches. retained by fraud,
and subject constantly to the illimita-
BILE drain Of a possibly Unsuitable black
mailer, with the disquictudc OF con-
stant dread OF. being found out In
either case his dyspepsia was bound TO
| be aggravated. Poverty would entail
third-rate cook. while the retention
of his first-ratc chef would entail an
evcr-preseut grinding anxiety which
draws the blood away from the stom-
ach where IL o. most needed. What
was 10 hc done? Clearly the man must
not be allowed to go to Nessrs Lud-
wig a Ludwig with his diabolical
proofs Of the existence Of young mar
quis of IiriNton before he had had suf-
| hcicnt time 10 think over the matter
Why, bowling might even now be
changing his mind and going TO see the
! lawyers this very day. The very
thought OF this possibility threw the
poor dyspcptic into Il profuse pcrspira-
| l.f. 81. l..
mind only half made up as To what
should hc done,
When the faithful Silby appeared he
/ found his poor master in very miser-
able plight indeed Ills forehead was
bedcwcd with perspiration. while
bands and feet were a. cold as ice, and
his breath came sharp and fast. Mr..
Thriftspender felt that he was on the
verge of having ht But il was only
fancy, and in few minutes Silby had
/ got him into some nicely aired clothes
and lac lay back comparatively calm,
/ though somewhat exhausted in his
easy chair
That man has upset me "a good deal,
Silby,' al length he painted II must
really stick to my rulc-never to see
anybody before | am dressed. It's too
much for me. I'm not strong enough
to bear any excitement before one
o'clock"
NO, sir. began TO feel anxious
when | heard the man talking so loud,
lest you should have one Of your at
tacks, sir; and the doctor SAYS YOU
must be careful, sir, and not overdo
yourself" "
You are right, Silby: ! don't know
what ! should do without YOU. By
the bye, | want note taken at once to
that man. II must be delivered with
ont fail into his own hands as soon as
possible"
YES, sir; and think, sir, you should
take some of your drops, sir"
The late afternoon again saw Thomas
Bowling and Robert Thriftspendcr
closeted together, and this interview
had very practical outcome.
1t is unnecessary TO follow the
course of the negotiations; il is sufficient
to say that for the sum of five hundred
pounds per anuum MIR Bowling under
took to keep his secret. and to bring
up the young marquis of BriXton as his
| own son.
'lt is, of course no hardship TO the
boy, who has never known better
things, Mr. Bowling; and, indeed
wealth and position are far from being
as enviablc as they look. | am far"
"Iou will, of course. like to see the
Young marq-l beg your pardon, my
boy George c-now and again, Mr.. Thrift.
spcnder?" said Bowling, interruptiug.
Il think not, Mr. bowling" replied
the dyspeptic with unusual decision in
his tone; 81 think not. The fact is.
my health is not at all good, and in
deed, feel that could hardly bear the
sad memories which the sight OF the
poor child would conjure up"
Just as YOU wish sir, of course
! Only you understand that il would be
more satisfactory to me that you should
see for yourself that the lad is being
well looked after"
Let me assure you, once for all, Mr.
Bowling, that am perfectly content
to leave that to you
Mr. frh - n = nauda,. stitl livac - tba