The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-03-23

ne Adst seemed 20 nave t1m6 ON noT
hands. ...-
Did she remember Miss Western or
Miss Staples staying at the inn about
lS 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 I'll never
believe it, sir-neyerr' Y.pt,. ID
II am glad you don't believe Il, Miss
Pridgett, for am friend OF, MI. Fem
toms and have come here In search Of
evideaoe shall be very glad If you
will tell me all You know Of Miss Sta
pies .. ~. 49,. -. ..... -.... ..,.
Lady Florence Mostyn. I" observed
the landlady, Ito give her real name,
as see by the nswspapers?'' .-,,.. 49,,
'Quite eo," replied. IF you can
give Ms any useful information, you
will earn our gratitude, and 1t 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 80 sud-
denly invested, and, nothing loath, told
the tale somewhat as follows:
1.-The very first time as I 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 small
room at liberty. I happened to have
one, which she took and kept all the
time she was here can show you the
boom, 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 gen.
tlemen she only made a hasty meal,
and then went up stairs.
1.-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. remember that particularly
we'll, for on that very day another gen.
tleman comes here and waits in the
coffee room till he sees them go out to-
gether; then he raps out an oath and
rushes 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
too far off to hear shat 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 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 MIR. Lambert. Then they
all grow calmer, and at last all three
come indoors and go up to the sitting
room, and l 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
stairs going to her room, and her eyes
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 l 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 work-all for her bare living, !
thought, for she was at it morning till
night
"Then all of sudden the two men
comes back. l remembers the day we'll,
Uu6 UclOIO tAOlO hoo OSOh q
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 the while. Then the two men 60 and
leave her again. But they had not been
gone many days before in comes Mr..
Fenton and his friend.
"The friend only staid few days,
and when he had gone Mr.. Fenton
seemed to want to make up to Lady
Florence-Miss Staples, that is, as we
called her. She seemed to like his So
ciety and quite frightened up, and !
was hoping they would make match
of it, when all of sudden she comes to
me and says, Miss Pridgett, she says,
'I'm going away by the first train in
the morning, So please, see that break
fast is ready in time, and, please, don't
tell any one I'm going, Miss Pridgett,
said she, and didn't, but when | saw
the state Mr.. Fenton was in over it /
was sorry hadn't told him. 1 thought
he would have gone mad. He went
about making inquiries at every house
for miles round. Poor young gentleman
I felt sorry for him, but it was as well
norhaps he C1i6n, Il find her