Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-07-05
A HEAVY RANSOM.

preston when his particular chum.
Tom LanFton, favored him with a
morning call.
"Halloa, What's up, Bob? By Jove,
you are looking seedy."
Hon. Robert stopped in his purpose
less walk, languidly extended his arm,
lightly touched the tips OF his friend :
fingers, and heaved a deep and bitter
sigh.
Are You i'll, chappie, or has the
peerless patrician Penelope"
''Sit down, Tom. The fact is, I've
been a fool.
And how did You discover ito"
"Well. as you know, I've been mixed
no bit with Lord Templeton and his
set Jolly fellows, but inclined 10 go
the pace bit too fast Hang me. if
can say No 10 anything they propose,
and the upshot of it all is that in two
nights have lost upward of three
thousand pounds sterling playing cards
at the Junior Aborigines at least
that's the amount they hold my O Is
for"
What confoundedly bad luck you
must have had"
II posted down 90 Che family nest
yesterday. laid the whole affair before
the governor, and vowed that | would
never touch a card again if he would
help me out of this Scrape."
And he has refused?'
point blank He reminded me that
on several occasions he had paid off my
legitimate debtS-small in comparison
TO this one-but he considered playing
cards for high stakes SO outrageously
foolish that he could not and would
not help me. | told him they were
debts of honor, but he said it was
most dishonorable way either of max
Ing or getting rid of money
in conclusion, he told me that as il
was most desirable that | should break
off from this connection, he proposed
20 reduce my allowance to five hundred
pounds year, during which time am
20 travel and see as much of the world
as ! can on paltry ten pounds week.
And what did you say?'
"What could | say? | have no choice
IN the matter. have made up my
mind that 1 viii not 20 TO the money
lenders, and SO | must get these fell
AONN W NdAb uAAAlA NdAA AthtNi4 my pa
per
Look here, old chap IN come with
You for a time, and we'll go in for
walking tour
Tom, you are brick. Let us start
this week
Three months had elapsed since Rob
ert Spenceley's departure. during
which period frequent communication
each bearing expressions of regret
for the past and promises for the flu
ture-kept Lord Nethwick fully ac-
quainted with his sons doings. The
absent one seemed 20 be thoroughly
enjoying himself, Judging from his
graphic descriptions of the scenery
and incidents of the walking tour.
Then the letters ceased altogether.
Several times lately the doubt had
arisen in Lord Methwick's mind as to
whether he had not been too severe,
remem bering that his son had hitherto
borne an irreproachable character,
evincing deep dislike 10 all the
worse forms of dissipation, and there
WINS no doubt that this unfortunate af-
fair at the Junior Aborigines was not
the result OF inherent or newly-ac-
quired viciousness, but rather brought
about by a false position, in which.
surrounded 10y companions of wealth
and repute, he had been led away by
the excitement and his inability TO say
"No"
Now that no news came from him,
his fathers resolution rapidly gave
way under the disquieting influence
of reboding and the continuous en-
treaties Of his mother, until at last his
recall was decided upon so soon as the
next intimation of his address should
arrive. The next letter did disclose his
whereabouts, and this was the
thuuderbolt.
'Mosr ILLUsTRIoUs SIGNoR-The son OF
your eIcellency Is doing us the honor to con-
descend our humble hospitality TO partake and
has 20 US your address given so that We may
impart his we'll being He now his departure
desires but we would that your illustrious ex-
cellency TO US sending the sum OF pounds four
thousand Englische that may be solGced
for his loss Then followed an address 10
which communication was 10 be sent, and
the missive concluded. ANY Information TO
the gendarmes will be on the son OF your e1-
oeilency. (Signed) GIUSEPPE
Giuseppe! The most noted bloodthirsty
and brigand of modern times, about
whose cruelties and fortunes SO many
narrowing tales were told by travel
ers, and upon whose head "a heavy
price had been set long ago.
Lady Methwick piteously besought
her husband to send the money at
once.
They will kill my darling boy, and
you-you-will have sent him 10 his
DEATH"
Her daughters, Hon. Agatha Ondine
and Clovis, added their agonized en-
treaties; indeed, so carried away were
they by their feelings that they actual
ly offered to go without new hats and
dresses for the next twelve months, In
order to contribute TO the ransom
money. But his lordship did not be-
lieve in giving way at once. Doubtless
q lesser sum would be accepted, and
while negotiations were in progress
and there was a chance Of the ransom
being ultimately paid, he did not think
HE cor, vs~o,,1I lo IN, -, 10