The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-29

Of court
But mean to have salome's claim
upon you admitted established, no mat
ter who suffers in consequence. Per
haps you will have considered your
course OF action by the time reach the
Hall tomorrow nfternoon.-l am, dear
sir yours obedientlyl
"PAUL MEREDITH"
After mastering the foregoing, Sir
Sidney sat there plunged in the pro-
foundest meditation. The whiFlwiRd,
bred OF the wind which he had sown in
his wild days, was hovoring about his
head, and might burst and oyerwhelm
him in the course OF few more hours
What was he to do to avert the
calamity? What could he do to save
himself now from the consequences OF
his youthful folly2 To acknowledge
the White Gypsy as his legitimate
child was TO brand Lady Carsland as
his mistress and Cordelia as his illegiti-
mate otlsprlng-which after all was
only the naked truth.
On the other hand, ii he refused to
admit that he was the man who had
married Salome Vela2o his ward, i'm
PEELED by his love OF his sweetheart and
his desire to clear her reputation in the
eyes OF the world, would carry the case
into a court OF law in the event OF
which the whole country would ring
with the story OF Lady Carsland's
shame and his own infamy.
In dire tribulation he rose from his
seat and paced about the room, seeking
vainly way OF escape from the diIi-
culties that encompassed him, What
must he do? Take Lady Carslahd into
his confidence, tell her the story OF his
youthful folly and sin and throw him
self upon her mercy. For the sake Of
her own name and that Of her child she
would be likely to forgive him ulti-
mately, no matter how much she might
storm at and denounce him at first
But he feared her ladyship's biting
tongue as a whipped dog fears the lash,
and he determined not to lace it until
all other chance OF refuge was denied
HIM. Perhaps he might induce Paul to
forego the vengeance he had threatened
to take. He was ready to admit to his
ward and to the White Gypsy that he
was her father aud was prepared to will
half his fortune to hor. Probably his
ward would be satisfied with such
concession, and in case he was not he
could only face the worst then.
Just as the baronet came to this de-
termination there was light tap at the
study door which opened the next mo-
ment to admit her ladyship. Startled
by the knock Sir Sydney ran to the
table, picked up the letter, and thrust
it into drawer, but not in time to pre-
vent his wife from seeing the act.
"What Is the matter with you, sgd
ney? Lady Carsland asked aa she came
forward towards him.
Nothing, my dear" he answered,
with forced composure. "Why do you
ask2" -.....
"Because l sec there is something
wrong. Was that letter from Paul"
at was"
"What has he to say you do not de-
sire me to know4"
"Nothing-nothing, l assure you,
dearp
"Tell mo the truth! He has discov.
cred that girl, l suppose, and is bring
ing her back again to this neighbor-
hood"
"No-not that"
"What them"
"He has written to say that he is
coming here this afternoon. That is all,
Adelaide"
"But why is he coming2" she de.
manded, her curiosity quickening
rather than getting less.
ITO talk over some business matters
with me-"
III that is all why did you not open
his letter at the breakfast table, and
why are you SO much agitated now? Ii
he has not discovered the girl what
business eau he have with you that l
ought not to know OFF, May see your
wards letter."
"You Cannot-he might not like you
to sec it." he answered.
'That Is not the real reason why you
will not show the letter to me. You
are afraid There is something wrong.
/ tell you again. can see 1t in your
face. am your wife, and il there is
trouble you ought to trust in me-"
"rhen why not do SOP"
because 1 daren'tl" he blurtel out,
ere he was aware OF it. "fhere! You
have made me say moro than wished
to say. New 90 and leave mo in peace"
he cried,
~ will go when l have learned what
the trouble is-not before. Tell me
what II is, or show me Paul Mersdith's
letter."
He was silent for moment his head
bent on his hands. Suddenly he took
arms against his fears and received to
face the worst there and then. Lady
Carsland must know the truth some
time, and perhaps 1t would be better,
all things considered, to tell her every
thing before his ward arrived.
"If you insist upon knowing, will
tell you them" he said. q
~ insistln was her response
"You will be panied terribly
shocked beyond all your expectations
and wished to spare you'll 1could."
"Haye done with this mystery, and
speak,"
"Well, before came to the title and
estates, when l was In hiding after tax.
ing those dannable jewels, l was tramp
ing through Yorkshire, and CHANGED to
fall ill-fainted, in fact, by the road.
side. When came to my senses was
in u respectable cottage, and pretty
woman was attending upon me. l was
there some time, passing under false
name, and l ultimately married tho
woman. When my father and brother
met their death so suddenly, deserted
my wife and came here. l."
"What was the name you gave your
aelf2' Lady Carslaud gasped.
Sydney Birmingham"
my GodP she exclaimed, as sho
sank into chair, II SEQ ii all now.
Your wife had child, aud that child
Ia Snlnmn Rnrrinphnm -thn nit hrnw