Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-16

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ere doubtful. He is said to entertain
decovs, one of whom is an old ruined
snmester named Sir Harry Malyns and
another a half pay captain, d bully and
sharper, who calls himself colonel.
He is to be seen Mt the house of the
Lady Anastasia. the most notorious
woman in London. who every night
keeps the bank at hazard for the profit
of this noble lord and his confederates.
1t Is in the service of such man that
Mr.. Semple has found n refuge. What
he fulfills in the way of duty know
not give you, cousin, the words Of
my informant. have since inquired
Of others, and l find confirmation ev-
erywhere of the notorious character of
Lord Fylingdale and his companions.
Nor can l understand what services q
poet can render to man of such rep
utation, living such life.'
do you follow, SIR" my father ask
ed, laying down the letter, cor shall I
read 1t again:"
NAY, the words nre plain. But, Mr..
Pentecrosse, they are serious words.
They concern very deeplya certain lady
whom we love. Lord Fylingdale has
been with us for month. He bears n
character. here mt least, of the highest
kind. 1t is reported, know not with
What truth. that he is actually to mar
ry the captains ward, Molly. There is,
however, no doubt that Molly's for
tune has grown SO large as to make
her a match for any one, however high
ly placed"
II fear that it is true"
'sThen, what foundation has this gen.
tleman for so scandalous report?"
Indeed. do not know. My cousin,
the bookseller, expressly says that he
has no knowledge of Sam Semple."
Mr.. Pentecrosse, I am uneasy. I
.hear that the gentlemen of the COM
1 pany are circulating ugly rumors about
one Colonel Lanyon, who has been
playing high and has won large sums
larger than any of the company can
afford to lose. They have resolved to
demand and await explanations. There
are whispers also which concern Lord
Fylingdale as well. These things
make one disguised. Then also have
received letter. 1t is in reply ito one
Of my own addressed to an old friend
at Cambridge. My questions referred
to the great scholar and eminent divine
who takes Greek for Hebrew.
"sYou ask me if 1 know anything
about one Benjamin Purden, clerk in
holy orders. There can hardly be two
persons of that name, both in holy or
ders. The man whom know by re-
pute Is person of somewhat slight
stature, his head bigger than BELTS
his height; he hath a loud and hector
Ing voice; he assumes, to suit his own
purposes, the possession of learning
and piety. OF theological learning he
has none, SO far as know. OF Greek
art, combined with modern manners,
he is said to be master Inglese
Italianato Diavolo Incarnato is the
proverb. He was formerly tutor on
the. grand tour to the young Lord Fly
lingdale, whom he led into the ways Of
corruption and profligacy which have
made that nobleman notorious. He is
also the reputed author of certain rib
aid verses that pass from hand to
hand among the baser sort of our uni
yersity scholars. / have made in
quiries about him with these results.
1t is said that where Lord Fylingdale
is found this worthy ecclesiastic- is not
far off. There was last year a scandal
at Bath in which his name was men,
toned freely. There was also-but
this is enough for one letter."
| The vicar read parts of this letter
twice over SO as to lend the words
greater force. "The man says publicly
that he was tutor to Lord Fylingdale
on the grand tour. have myself
heard him. On one occasion he pro-
claimed with loud voice the private
virtues Of his patron. Sir, very much
fear that we have discovered nest of
villains. Pray God we be not too late"
Amen" said my father. "But what
can we do?"
aye, what can we do7 To denounce
Lord Fylingdale on this evidence
would be impossible. To allow this
marriage to take place without warn
ing the captain would be most wick
ed thing"
"Let me send jack" said my ia
ther "The boy is only simple sailor,
but he loves the girl. He will now be
aboard his ship"
1t is not far from the Crown to the
quay, nor from the quay to any of the
ships in port. was sitting in the
cabin, melancholy enough, about 8
o'clock or SO, just before the sunset
gun was fired from the redoubt, when
heard a shout, LADY Of Lynn,
ahoyw You may be sure that obeyed
the summons with alacrlty.
No one else had yet arrived ut the
Grown. The vicar laid both letters be-
fore me. Then, as when one strikes q
spark in the finder and the match ig-
mites, flaming up, and the darkness
| vanishes. so did the scheme of yillainy
unfold itself; not all at once-one does
not at one glance comprehend a con-
spiracy SO vile-but part, say, did
understand.
"Sir." gasped, "this is more oppor-
tune than you suspect. Tomorrow
morning at ut st. Nicholas church
they are to be married secretly. Oh, a
gambler, rake, one who has wasted
his patrimony, to marry Molly-our
Molly! Sir, you will Interfere. You
will do something. 1t is the villain,
Sam; he was always liar, a cur, o
| villainw
"Steady, boy, steady" said my fa-
Their. ut helps not to call names"
ut is partly revenge. He dared to
make love to Molly three years ago
The captain cudgeled him handsomely,
and I was there to see. 1t is revenge
In part. He hath brought down this
noble lord to marry an heiress, know
ing the misery he is preparing for her.
Oh, Sam, If l had been there!"
Steady. boy" said my father again.
"Who spread abroad the many vir-
tues Of this noble villain? Sam Sem.
ple-in his service, q most base and
dishonorable service. Mr.. Purden, the