The Portland daily press., 1895-10-21
A STREET TRAGEDY.

manly was uOWlu3 uOWu lGcduiliy. Auo
city man, warned by his physician that II
growing dyspepsia was to be checked he
must walk to and from his work, trudged
manfully homeward. The clubman wan
dered moro leisurely to his diggings to
dress for dinner. A white petticoat here
and there flashed out from the trousered
throng.
At tho corner of Half Moon street there
was momentary block-a swearing cab
man delayed to hurl a volley of oaths at q
smart brougham across which he had in
exousably drawn. An >appreciative audi
ence in the front rank of the walkers
laughed, though what there was to amuse
in the coarse language it was hard to see.
Suddenly there was a quick, bright
flash, ringing report, dead fall of q
body and woman seized and pinioned by
prompt and powerful arms. Then the
walkers gathered round and enjoyed the
tragedy even more than they had appreci-
ated the blasphemy.
The victim, who was dead as nail in
door," proved to be Lord Charles Sum-
mers. The Nemesis true daughter Of
night was Julie Panton, a demimon-
dame as impulsive and dangerous as she
was dissolute And her wantonness and
recklessness brought her this way to the
gallows The wonder lasted for nine days,
and then the puppy's eyes were opened.
What the world wondered at was that
Charlie Summers, Of all people, should
have proved licentious The husband of q
woman who was as charming as she was
beautiful, he and she had passed for pat
terms to all contemplators of matrimony.
Andxnow, of sudden, all dignity, all hon.
or, was gone. Death and fgnominy had
come at one blow. In truth, it was an in
glorious heritage that his offspring drew
at a stroke. Nor was the horrid acquisi-
ton all, for dispossession was at its heels
and victimized them too.
my money go to the children Of a prof
ligate dog Not farthing Of it! Let the
litter starve, for all care, and the sooner
his wrath and his gous.
mo, no." he went on, $50 long as
Charlie showed himself a gentleman after
he married-althcugh, mind you. l always
said he'd be better as a bachelor-so long
he might look forward to inherit1ng my
money. But now there's an end of him
and his, so far as I'm concerned. I'm sorry
for the young woman, his wife, but she
took her chance, and it's turned up a
blank. Now it's Edwards turn" (This
was Lord Edward Summers, Charles twin
brother, double and alter ego.) "And
Edward, as long as he shows himself a
gentleman, shall walk in Charles shoes.
Not that look upon Edward as a paragon
of virtue On the contrary, fear he's not
altogether Joseph. But, then, I've no
reason to suppose that his peccadillos are
vulgar and draw the line at vulgarity. !"
And the old gentleman gave grunt of
satisfaction, as much as to say, "Now,
think that's very virtuous and proper
view to take Of life"
Having thus delivered himself, Lord
Stonehouse called for pen and ink and
wrote, commanding visit from his nephew
and clearly limiting that the corner in his
heart which Nephew Charles had occupied
was now "to let, }" and Edward might be
its tenant during good behavior.
But it is open to doubt whether the old
misogynist would have been so ready to
replace the ons by the other had he known
that the two brothers had been equally
enamored of Miss Flora Carew, and that it
had only rested with her to decide whether
she should become Lady Charles or Lady
Edward Summers. However, the secret
had been kept, and Lord Stonehouss never
even dreamed of it. And the next day
Lord Edward called on his uncle, as he
was hidden.
Edward, said the old peer, "this is a
devilish nasty business!'
"It is, uncle"
"It'n drag the family horribly in the
mud"
NJt uf11 upCIe -
st suppose nothing can be done to hush
the matter ups suppose they'll hang the
trollop, and not be content to do that
ticulars?'
"I fancy not"
"There's no possibility of squaring the
reporters, is thereP"
''None, I should think. The murder of
a lord is much too valuable for copy"
"Then there's nothing further to be said
about the cursed business, except this
that not farthing more Of my money
shall 40 to his brood. shall not even
continue the allowance made him to his
widow"
"And why not, uncles'
"And why not, Ted? Why, because
I've got better things to do with my mon
ey than to employ it in keeping out Of beg
gary the spawn of vulgar ibertine. No,
Ted, not one word on their behalf, beg
you. The young woman I pity, but she
has made her bed, and she must lie on it. -
"You must forgive me, uncle, when I
say that I think you have come to too
hasty conclusion and that, when you have
heard further particulars, you will think
so TOO"
81 beg you to explain yourself, Ted"
II will do 80, uncle, as clearly as can.
Oh, God help mel" suddenly exclaimed
the young man. burying his face in his
hands and startling Lord Stonehouse by
the sudden change from the unnatural
calm which had possessed him hitherto.
"Oh, God help me! God help mel" And
his whole frame shook as only does a
strong mans In mortal agony.
"Ted, Ted, my boyP cried the old man,
whose pride only had been touched up till
now, but who found his heart at the sight
of the young mans overwhelming grief.
"Ted, Ted, my boy, my poor fellow! It's,
Of course, as bad as bad can be for you. !
forgot, Ted, you loved him So"
Flowed him, uncle, loved himl Yes, !
loved him, and I've killed him!''
"Ted, my poor lad, you don't know
what you sayn'
"You don't think I know what am
saving, uncle? Yes, yes, uncle I do It's