Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-30

+ friends there. Mr.. HCYesdean was one
Of them. I became engaged to his
daughter"
/ Lord Marlborough paused for a mo-
ment and knocked the ash from his CT
gar. Il this man had been a friend he
would have talked about her. AS it
was, he avoided the subject. Mr.. Mas
singers opinion Of and bearing toward
the sex was we'll known.
Il did not find that Mr.. Hovesdean
was overjoyed at the prospect of hav-
ing me for son-in-law; at any rate,
he did not appear so. He would have
preferred an American, l think. but he
did not offer any formal objections. He
asked me no questions as to my means.
and this little irritated me. l think.
/ One night he was explaining to me
how rapidly he had made some part of
his huge fortune, and | asked him
whether he could invest any money for
me to advantage. He should be very
pleased. he told me politely and with
some surprise. | was little nettled-
che doesn't care - be thought a pau-
peT-and l cabled the next day to my
gage the whole of the Lillroot and I'M
entailed Marlborough property on
special terms, redeemable in twelve
months. 1t was. done, and just before
| left the states | handed Mr.. EIovas-
dean draft for f4S,0 and begged him
to let me have the result of his invest
ment within twelve months"
''Forty-eight thousand pounds Mr..
Massinger repeated in a wondering
tone My Godr'
Yes, it's good deal of money, isn't
it?" Lord Marlborough continued,
quietly. Il had not the slightest ap-
prehensiCn, however, for Mr.. Hovesdean
was everywhere spoken of as being one
of the richest men in America and per-
sonally I had every confidence in him
The mortgage falls on the day after to-
morrow. l told Mr.. Hovesdean by
what date [ wanted the money, and he
cabled three weeks ago to say that he
was coming on the Umbria. The UNI
bria arrived in Liverpool a week today,
and I have not seen or heard of Mr.
Hovesdean. The day before yesterday,
as you know, the papers were full of the
gigantic Hovesdean failure
Isn't there a report that Mr.. Hoves-
dean actually did come to England by
the Umbria?" Mr.. Massinger asked,
flashing a keen sidelong look at his
companion. Il suppose you have made
some inquiries?"
THAT is SO" Lord Marlborough an
swered. Il have been to Scotland
Yard and employed a private detective
A Mr.. HOvesdean certainly did cross on
the Umbria, accompanied by lady who
was called his daughter. What has be
come of them since they landed is
mystery. 1t is possible that he is in
England and under the circumstances
cannot bring himself to let me know his
whereabout; on the other hand, he may
have gone straight to the continent
Pardon me-" said Mr.. Massinger,
little efficiently, but I presume you
correspond with the young lady"
Naturally" Lord Marlborough inter
rupted Her letters ceased abruptly
three weeks ago. 1 have cabled six
times and had no reply"
did her last letter hint at any trou-
ble?" Mr.. Massinger inquired.
''She merely remarked that her ia
Their had met with some unexpected an
noyance, think, was her word, and
would possibly leave England a week
earlier than he intended"
Mr.. Massinger threw away his cigar.
you've been treated villianouslly,
Lord Marlborough" he said. "Of
course you've read the papers You've
seen that the firm of which Hovesdean
was the head has been hopelessly in
solvent for years"
Lord Marlborough bowed his head.
He had no words at his command.
$50 that he must have known that
he was simply robbing you when he
tool that money" Mr.. Massinger con-
tinued calmly.
Lord Marlborough WINGED Could not
the man see that every word was
stab?
Exactly he said, coldly. There
was moments silence. 1t could not
be said that Mr.. Massinger's sympathy
was overpowering. The two men had
turned and were walking back again
down Piccadil1y. At Mr.. Massinger's
instigation they turned into a side
street.
Don't think me inquisitive," he said,
"but are you as hard hit as men say
over the Leicestershire?
Lord Marlborough bit his lip.
"Are they talking about it?'' he said,
quietly. well, Lady Flora's beating
lets me in for about four thousand.
There's no doubt at all that West
pulled her She must have won on her
merits. They tell me the fellow will
be warned off,
There's no doubt your mare was
pulled Mr.. Massinger remarked, with
a quiet invisible smile. THAT doesn't
help your money being lost, though,
does it? And how about Tulch?"
Lord Marlborough closed his eyes for
a moment The cold-blooded narration
of his miseries was scarcely the relief
he had hoped it might be. What an
odd, quiet fellow Massinger was!
Well. several seasons ago l won
about $500 from Tulch one night at the
Club des strangers at Homburg. I've
never mes him sir &c till Monday night.
You know, I've given up play alto
gether, but l couldn't refuse him, when
he asked for his revenge. I was wor-
ried and excited and played altogether
wTetchedly. In the end lost a couple
OF thousand"