The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-01-14


looking at him as if he was an escaped lu-
natic, II never had servant called Eliza
Willis in my life; and 1 certainly never
recommended her to you or any one else"
II am DIR. Lester, of Noting Hill, said
Charlie, producing his card, "Really, this
is most extraordinary thing We en-
gagged parlormaid about three months
ago, who said she had been living at Oak
wook Vicarage with Mr.. Allardyce She
said he was then at Folkestone; so we
wrote there, and received an excellent
character" -
"Excuse my interrupting you, but 1
never was at Folkestone in my life"
4Aud few days ago 'Mr. Allardyce
called to see her as he was passing through
London. He spent the evening with us,
and we were both delighted with him.
Today We are going, at his invitation to a
garden party at 0akwood Vicarage"
'Then, my good Sir, fear you have
been imposed upon" answered the clergy
man. "Some unprincipled person must
have made use of my name. | have been
abroad for three months and am Just re-
turning to Oakwood. assure you have
not the slightest intention of giving gar
den party; my bachelor household does not
admit of gaieties of that kind.
"oh, Charlie, our plate'' | cried, as a
suspicion flashed across me like lightning.
And my husband turned pale.
"We have good deal of plate, | hur-
riedly explained 'This man, who passed
himself off for you, professed to admire it
very much, and We showed him ali we had
and, oh dear how we locked it up, and
everything.
Il should fear he had designs upon it.
1t is a most mysterious affair all through.
OF course, you have only my assertion that
am Wentworth Allardyce-''
"We don't doubt that for one moment,
said my husband.
"But if you come to Oakwood," went
on the vicar, "my parishioners will be
able to certify that 1 am their vicar and
no other
Indeed, l think we ought to go back to
London at once, said my husband, who
was evidently uneasy. ~ fear we have
been duped by persuasive stranger, and
that this garden party pretense is only a
dodge to get-us out ofthe way. Our house
is probably now being robbed
"But, Charlie, there is Eliza r
''Mr. Allardyce knows nothing about
her. Her character must have been a
forgery"
$50 it must" l said, feeling completely
overwhelmed. "Oh, 1 wish the train would
stop, SO that we could get out and go back
to London"
at stops before long at Marsham juno.
ton, said Mr.. Allardyce. "You can catch
London train there"
'Is not wax used to take the impression
of a key p l asked, as another recollection
came to me- II found piece of wax on
the floor of the plate room, Charlie-after
after that man had been there
'Then we may say goodbye to our
Queen Anne tea service" :" said my hus-
band, grimly, as the train gave warning
whistle.
This is Marsham, said Mr. Allardyce,
letting down the window. II trust you
will let me know how you found things at
home, he added kindly as we got out
We gave him hurried farewell and dashed
down the platform, where porter told us
the London train was just going.
We had fearful scramble, and, quite
out of breath, were bundled into carriage
at the very end of the train, which was al
ready moving. 1t was third class and
not over-elean, but we were only too glad
to get in at all
During the brief journey back Charlie
told me what he intended to do; and as
he did not think it would be safe for me
to go back to the house at first | agreed
though very uuwillingly-to wait at a
neighbor's until he came for ME. He
took handsom at Waterloo, and we
dashed homeward at great speed At the
| police station nearest to our house Charlie
got out, and, after few minutes conver-
sation with the Inspector, We resumed our
way. Four constables, under the COM
mand of Sergeant, were to follow in
another cab Immediately. We got out at
the end of our road, which the policemen
were also to do, so as not to alarm any
one who might be in our house with the
sound of wheels stopping at the door.
Charlie left me at my friends house and
turned back to meet the cab full policemen
which was just in sight. My friends
house was nearly opposite our own, and
after hurried explanation, took my
stand behind the curtains in the dining
room window to watch, feeling quite sick
with apprehension. In front of our house,
hitched by the reins to the lamp post, was
a small truck, drawn by one horse, such as
might have belonged to any respectable
tradesman; and that was the only external
sign of anything about to happen.
1 saw Charlie and bis company come
down the street. One policeman quietly
descended into the area, and stood there
ready to arrest anybody who attempted to
escape that way; two remained on guard