The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-13

hands.
Did she remember Miss Western or
a Miss Staples staying at the inn about
is months ago?
"Miss Western, no, but Miss Staples,
yes. Don't you know as how she has
been murdered, sir? And the papers say
by Mr.. George Fenton, who first met
her in this very house. But Til never
believe it, sir-never!"
81 am glad you don't believe it, Miss
Pridgett, for am friend of Mr. Fen
toms and have come here in search Of
evidence. 1 shall be very glad if you
will tell me all you know of Miss Sta
Piles.
Lady Florence Mostyn," observed
the landlady, ''to give her real name,
as see by the newspapers"
"Quite co., replied. eff you can
give us any useful information, you
will earn our gratitude, and it may be
that you will be instrumental in saving
an innocent man from the gallows.
Miss Pridgett seemed pleased at the
Importance with which she was SO sud-
denly invested, and, nothing loath, told
the tale somewhat as follows:
s'The very first time as set my eyes
on the late Lady Florence Mostyn was
on a Friday night Of May, last year.
She came here alone and with precious
little luggage and asked if had a small
room at liberty. I happened to have
one, which she took and kept all the
time she was here. can show you the
room, sir. It's scarcely big enough for
one person to turn round in, but it suit
ed Lady Florence down to the ground.
She had supper in the coffee room that
night, but as it was pretty full of gem
tlemen she only made hasty meal,
and then Went up stairs.
THE next day a sandy haired gentle
man, with only one arm, turned up
with some luggage-a Mr.. Lambert he
said his name was. There was no room
for him, SO he staid at Hardness, the
grocer's, but he had his meals here with
Lady Florence Mostyn-Miss Staples
that is, as we called her. They had the
private sitting room as soon as it was
at liberty, which was on the Monday fol-
lowing. 1 remember that particularly
we'll, for on that very day another gen.
tlenan comes here and waits in the
coffee room till he sees them go out to-
gether; then he raps out an oath and
PUSHES after them. They had gone to-
ward the summer house at the back, but
before they had got across the lawn the
gentleman overlook them. They were
toy; far OF to hear what was said, but
Their looks were expressive enough.
First of all, Lady Florence she grabs
hold OF Mr.. Lambert, and seems about
to fall to the ground with fright. Mr..
Lambert puts his one arm round her
and holds her up, while he places him
self betwixt her and the stranger. There
was some strong language used on that
green, sir, and though I couldn't hear
the words. it was plain to any one that
there was a violent quarrel on both
sides. Then the newcomer seemed about
to strike Mr.. Lambert, but Lady Flor.
ence she pulls herself together and
stands up. She then says something to
the new man which seems to astonish
him, and makes him change his mind
about striking Mr.. Lambert. Then they
all grow calmer, and at last all three
come indoors and go up to the sitting
room, and could hear them talk, talk,
talk, till closing time, when the two
gentlemen left together quite friendly
like.
81 met Lady Florence Mostyn on the
cfoIrc tn
were fearful red. She had evidently
been crying a great lot, but the next
morning she was quite calm and quiet
looking, and all three seemed to get
along without any more trouble. Then
the two men, Mr.. Dick Lambert and
Mr.. Dacre-as / found the other was
called - goes away and leaves Lady
Florence. She was very much cut up
when they went and restlesslike. At
last she settles down to her painting and
fancy worll-all for her bare living, I
thought, for she was at it morning till
night.
"Then all of sudden the two men
comes back. l remembers the day we'll,
for the night before there had been a
big robbery at Squire Marchant's at the
hall. They comes back quite chummily,
and Lady Florence seemed downright
glad to see them; and that time they
stops for week or more, fishing most
of thewhile. Then the two men go and
leave her again. But they had not been
gone many days before in comes MIR.
Fenton and his friend