The true northerner., 1895-10-18
A STREET TRAGEDY.

Inc ,orrenc or homeward travelling hu-
manity was flowing down Piccadilly The
city man. warned by his physician that II
growing dyspepsia was 20 be checked he
must walk 10 and from his work. trudged
manful!y homeward The clubman wan
dered more leisure.y 20 his digg!ngs 20
dress for dinner A white petticoat here
and there flashed out from the trousered
throng.
At the corner Of Half Moon street there
was momentarv biock-a swearing cab
man delayed 10 hurl volley OF oaths at q
smart brougham across which he had in
excusably drawn An appreciat.ve audi
ence in the front rank of the walkers
laughed. though what there was 10 amuse
In the coarse language II was hard TO see.
Suddenly there was quick. bright
fash. a ringing report. dead fall Of a
body and a 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-
daine 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.
And now, Of sudden, all dignity, all hon
or, was gone. Death and ignominy had
come at one blow. In truth, 1t was an in
glorious heritage that his offspring drew
at stroke. Nor was the horrid acquisi-
tion all, for dispossession was at its heels
and victimized them too.
"My money go to the children of prof
ligate dog Not a farthing of 1t! Let tie
litter starve, for all care, and the sooner
the betterl" And the opulent uncle nursed
his wrath and his gout.
"No, no." he went on, $50 long as
Charlie showed himself gentleman after
he married-although, mind you, l always
said he'd be better as bachelor-so long
he might look forward to inheriting 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 l look upon Edward as paragon
of virtue. On the contrary, fear he's not
altogether a Joseph. But, then, I've no
reason TO suppose that his peccadillos are
vulgar, and draw the line at vulgarity"
AMI tie Oil gentleman gave u grunt OF
satisfaction, as much as to say, "Now, l
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 IL Is open to doubt whether the old
misogynist would have been so ready to
replace the one 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 Stonehouse never
even dreamed of 1t. And the next day
Lord Edward called on his uncle as he
was hidden.
Edward" said the old peer, "ths is a
devilish nasty busincssl''
1t is, uncle"
9TH drag the family horribly in the
mud"
at will, uncle"
II suppose nothing can be done TO hush
the matter upS | suppose they II hang the
trollop, and not be content To do that
without turning up all the disgraceful par
ticularsY'
II fancy not
There's no possibility Of squaring the
reporters, is there?'
None. 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 GO To his brood shall not even
continue the allowance made him to his
widow
And why not unclef''
And why not, TedP 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 a vulgar libertine No,
Ted. not one word on their behalf. I beg
you. The young woman I pity, but she
has made her bed, and she must lie on it, 4"
You must forgive me- uncle, when I
say that 1 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 SO, uncle rs 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 mel God help mep' And
his whole frame shook as only does a
strong mans In mortal agony.
Tied, Ted, my boy'' cried the old man,
whose pride only had been touched up till
now, but who found his heart mt the sight
OF the young mans overwhelming grief.
Tied, Ted, my boy, my poor fellow It's,
of course as bad rs bad can be for you.
forgot, Ted, you loved him so."
Loved him, uncle loved himi Yes,
loved him, and I've killed himl"
Ted, my poor lad, you don't know
what you sayp
"You don't think I know what am
saying, uncleS Yes, yes, uncle, do It's