The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-11-20

had given me some facts. but 1 had
been sensitive about disclosing them.
II was not long before was closeted
with The owner of Shrewton court. In
iull Of conversation his lordship OBJ
served in quiet tone:
WAS il solely an interest in art bring
ing sou TO Meriyalcr"
answered in the negative.
| II thought So" was the reply. "Now
we have established friendly relations.
may ask why you al first so firmly re-
sisted my demand of your being
scarchcd?"
because, my lord" | answered. ~
have such a terrible witness of guilt in
my pocket"
What was it, observed the noble
man.
"Only this" replied, handing over
the replica.
Silence in the room was only broken
by the faint ticking of a small French
c ock. Il am astounded," cried the
nobleman. Surely this is my minia-
ture. Yet. no. My own is slightly
stained by the wet grass of the rosary
10 whom does it helong?"
81 am ignorant" was my answer. III
has been in the hands Of a dealer for
sale. and one of his clients is eager tc
ascertain how it came to be pain Jed"
"Who is that?" was the inquiry.
III have no knowledge" / replied.
"Wcll." observed the nobleman, Il
would pay 4 handsome reward 10 find
out the history of the thing. Have you
any key 10 unlock the mystery?"
No | said; but most likely Cracl.-
:; cross-examination in your presence"
by all means" returned Lord Mount
falcon sit may prevent his being
lodged in Jail. That unlocked door in
the blue gallery has revealed what a
grossly dishonest fellow he is. Ask him
what you please"
Sam Crackenthorpe, fearful of being
prosecuted by his master, answered
every question put. The examination
rs near as recollect, was as follows:
"Nell, Mr.. Crackenthorpe, you know
his fac-simile of the miniature you as.
serted had in my pocket?"
YES"
"Who painted ito"
mfr. Mou!e.'
where"
'In my sitting-room."
"Who obtained his services?"
Il did"
AT whose request
~ lady came to see the galleries after
Lord Mod1tfalcon went off TO the Med
.terranean.'
"Iier name"
"Niss Wincaunton."
where did she see the original min
iature?"
AT Moslem. the jewelers.. in Pic
cadlly."
"What story was told The miniature
painter TO blind him?'
THAT his lordship's sister secretly
wanted a copy"
allow came Miss Wincaunton 10 wish
Tor cops? -
because she so admired the likeness. '
Three months afterward Mr.. Ather-
stone and ! Witnessed the ceremony ~
the marriage at St. Georges. Hanover
square, between Lord Mountfalcon and
the beautiful Lady Susan Brewster. \
rival. Miss Wincarnton, had insinuated
the nobeman was in love with her. pro-
ducing as proof the miniature she had
obtained under such mean and crafty
circumstances. Lady Brewster re-
turned Lord Mountainous picture in
1T If anger. believing the 'alsehood. and
broke off the engagement. On Mr..
Atherstone communicating the fact,
Of the case Lady Susan became recon-
ciled to her old lover.
After the ceremonial was over Mr..
Atherstone took me out for luncheon.
Later ON. dallying with cigar and
bc-'," Of claret. the art dealer said:
II think we are n duty bound to drink
the health of the bride and bridegroom"
We did il in bumpers.
'Ey the by" continued my old friend.
81 shall run down the week after next
I" Shrcwton court. for Lord Mountfal-
con told me he had fitted you up capital
quarters rs the new keeper OF his art
galleries. '-Lloyd's London Weekly.