Abilene weekly reflector., 1896-01-02
A HEAVY RANSOM.

To judge by his haggard looks ant
the monotonous way in which he wa
pacing up and down the room. Hon
Robert Spenceley was evidently undel
the influence Of serious mental de
preston when his particular chum
Tom Langton, favored HIN with {
morning call.
"nalloa! 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 friends
fingers. and heavcd a deep and bitter
sigh.
Are you Ill, chappie, or has the
peerless, patrician Penelope"
.'Sit down, Tom. The fact is, I've
been TOOL" .
"And how did You discover it?"
swell, as you know, I've been mixed
up a bit with Lord Templeton and his
SET Jolly fellows, but inclined to re
the pace bit too fast. Hang me, | II
can say No to anything they propose,
and the upshot Of it all is that in two
nights I have lost upward Of three
thousand pounds sterling playing cards
at the Junior Aborigines : ut least,
that's the amount they hold my 0 US
for"
"What confoundedly bad luck you
must have had!"
81 posted down to the family nest
yesterday, laid the whole affair before
the governor, and vowed that would
never touch card again II he would
help me out Of this scrape."
"And he has rcfused?"
"Point blank. lie 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 outragcously
foolish that he could not and would
not help me. I told him they were
debts Of honor, but he said II was a
most dishonorable way either of MAX
Ing Or getting rid Of money.
"In conclusion, he told me that as it
was most desirable that should break
off from this connection, he proposed
to reduce my allowance to five hundred
pounds year, during which time am
to 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 madc up my
mind that I will not go to the money
lenders, and so ! must get these fell
lows to wait until can redeem my pa
per-"
Look here, old chap. I'll come with
you for a time, and we'll go in for a
walking tour"
Tom, you are brick Let MS start
this week.
Three months had elapsed since Rob-
ert Spencelcy's departure, during
which period frequent communications
each bearing expressions Of regret
for the past and promises for the fu-
ture-lsept Lord Nethwick fully ac-
quaintcd with his sons doings The
absent one seemed TO 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,
remembering that his son had hitherto
borne an irreproachable character,
evincing IL deep dislike to all the
worse forms Of dissipation, and there
was no doubt that this unfortunate af-
fair at the Junior Aborigines was not
the result Of inherent or newly-ac-
quired viciousncss, but rather brought
about by false position, in which,
surrounded by 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,
bis fathers resolution rapidly gave
way under the disquieting influence
Of foreboding 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
thunderbolt.
MOST lLLUsTRIoUs sIGNoR-The son Of
your excellency Is doing US the honor to con.
descend our humble hospitality to partake and
has to us your address given so that we may
lmpart his we'll being lie now his departure
desires, but we would that your illustrlyus ox-
cellency to US sonding the sum OF pounlls four
thous md Englische that we may be solGced
for his loss" Then followed an address to
which communication was to DO sent, and
the mlssive concluded. ANY information to
the gendarmes will be on the son Of your ex-
cellency (Signcd) GiUs PPE,"
Giuseppe! The most noted bloodthirsty
and brigand Of modern times, about
whose cruclties and tortures SO many
narrowing tales were told by travel
ers, and upon whose head Il 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 to his
DEATH"
Her daughters, Hon. Agatha, 0ndine
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
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
his son would be In any danger So he
sent an offer Of two thousand pounds
sterling. The reply to this was curt
refusal, and postscript added In Rob
ert Spenceley's handwriting was:
"Father, send soon; feel sure they will