Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-05


impressed with startling vividness on his
lordship's memory. What with his wife's
continual fainting fits, his three daughters
IN consecutive Mysteries, their conscious
intervals being employed in upbraiding
him in such severe terms that one would
have thought that the poor man had him
self cut his sons ear off; his own mental
| anguish as he remembered that the future
head of his house would never be able to
hear both sides, the horrid possibility Of
getting the wandercr back for nothing, q
piece at time, and the fear that at that
moment further fortunes might be in
course of infliction-he often marveled not
only that he survived it, but that reason
did not altogether forsake her lettering
throne.
And the climax was reached when, In
the softening shades of twilight, Lady
Methwick and her three daughters, dressed
in black, went in solemn procession to a
distant part OF the grounds, where, beside
ripping stream and beneath a spreading
tree, the gardener had already dug q
grave. There, with fresh bursts of tears
and passionate sobs, tho box of sawdust
with its precious freight was solcmnly
buried, and a cairn built over and about
its resting place.
The outgoing evening mail carried two
letters, one to the brigands agreeing to
their terms, the other to friend of the
family, who happened to be consul in
the near ncighborhood, inclosing draft
for "a, 900 and begging him toput himself
in instant communication with Giuseppe
and obtain the captive's release.
The consul did as he was desired, and in
compliance with elaborate instructions
from the robhcr band, who were evidently
taking every preoaution against being
trapped, proceeded alone one evening car
rying parcel of 1000 sovercigns to an in
Dictated spot on the outskirts of u forest.
Here he was met by sunburned, black
bearded giant picturesquely attired in his
native dress, who carried rifle, while
couple of rGvolvers and poniard adorned
his sash. Motioning to the consul to fol-
low him, he proceeded but u few PAGES into
the forest, then halted and blew long,
low, peculiar whistle on his fingers.
Approaching footsteps were Immediately
heard, and there emerged from among the
trees the whilOm prisoner, alone. AS he
ranged up to the side of his delivcrcr the
gold was handed over, carefully counted,
and then, with u low bow, the robbcr
turned on his heel, at once disappeared,
without having uttered word, and the
consul and his purchase were free to de-
part.
MCthwicl Hall was ablaZc with light on
the evening Of the heirs return to his an
Cestral home. The female portion of the
family had spent the day in alternately
laughing and crying for joy and were now
in n state of intense excitement anXiOusly
awaiting the return Of the carriage from
the station Presently the sound of wheels
was heard drawing up to the door, and
mother and sisters, rushing out, fell upon
Robert, Rugged him and kissed him and
half dragged, half carried him into the
house, but it was not until after they had
been for some time assembled in the libra
ry that there flashed across their minds the
remembrance Of that horror that lay bur-
led beside the stream. His mother first
made the discovery:
"Why, Robert you have two cars!''
"Two ears, motherl Have not always
had two?"
but we buried one Of them"
The Hon. Robert was evidently in the
dark, and when they explained he declared
truthfully that he knew nothing about il.
AS a word painter he proved decided fail
urc, considering the adventures which they
expected him to recount. He had nothing
to relate, simply monotony waiting for the
ransom, and no matter how they piled him
with questions he could tell them nothing
of the doings of the gang, for he said he
never saw any of them except the ono who
had him in charge.
A few days after his return, plcayling
the necessity of Il visit to west end tailor
he Travelled to London after receiving strict
injunctions and giving a promise to shun
his old haunts and companions Arrived
in town, he at once proceeded to Tom
Langtons chambers, and his first words to
his chum were:
II say Tom, what about that ear, and
why wasn't told of it?'
"Well, thought you might object, and
as it was desirable to bring things to
climax | got it from the dissccting room
at the hospital through a student"
at took me quite by surprise when they
accused me Of having two ears and told
me they had buried one of them. But
about the money!"
81 have told the fellows that you have
negotiated a loan and empowered inc to
pay your debts Here are the US that
have bought up, and the total amount is
co, 900. The remaining 91,0O4"-
"You will please keep for yourself as ar
ranged, for the double purpose of paying
you for your trouble and buying your per-
petual silence"
"Thanks, old chap. will be silent as
the grave, but l say, 1 had difficulty in
keeping silence when we had her maicsty's
consul in the forest. 1 never wanted to
laugh so much before. Tit Bits.