Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-10-10
CHAPTER XVIII.
A)NFESSlON.


ing ducks and brakes" with it in Lon
don.
There came into my head the thought
that l might somehow, by going to
London, find out what manner of life
was led by my lord and in what ways
he wasted and scattered Mollys sub
stance could do nothing to stop OF TO
hinder the waste. yet when one knows
the truth it is generally more tolcrablc
than the uncertainty.
l thought over the plan for some
days. 1t assumed clearer shape 1t
became Il purpose. Molly. for her part,
neither approved nor disapprovcd. She
was for letting the man who pretended
TO be her husband work his wicked win
and do what he pleased provided that
he left her in peace.
The end of it was that | went 10
London, riding with Il small company
md meeting with no adventures on The
way; that l put up at one of the inns
outside Bishopsgatc and that | found
out my cousin and put the whole case
before him. He was a grave and re-
sponSible citizen. a churchwardcn and
of good standing in the Stationers'
company.
You want to know how Lord Fy-
lingdalc spends his money. l can help
you in this business"
1t was by the kind offices Of tllis gen
tlcman, whom l found to be a person
of quick wit and ready understanding.
besides being of a most obligng dis
position, that | was enabled to see with
my own eyes an evening such as my
lord loved. AS for the details. YOU
must, if You please. hold me excused.
Let it suffice that our observations be-
gan at a gaming house and ended at a
tavern. AT both places ! kept in the
Background because | would not be
recognized by Lord Fylingdalc.
He came in to the gaming table with
the same lofty, cold carriage which he
had shown at our humble assembly.
lie advanced to the table: be began to
play. No one could tell from his lord
ships face whether he lost or won. In
half an hour or so my friend returned
10 my corner. He has lost a cool $500.
They are whispering round the table
that he loses hundreds every evening.
All the world is asking what gold
mine he possesses that he can stand
these losses"
Il know bis gold mine" I replied,
with a sigh. But it is nearly exhaust
ed"
We staid a little longer. 1t was about
10 or II in the evening that his lordship
left the table
Come said my friend. Il know the
tavern where he will spend The next
three or four hours. can take you
there. The bowls Of punch and t.e
company and everything is provided
at his lordsbp'S expense Mr.. Pente-
crosse, it must be no. a gold mine, but
mine OF Goconda. to bear this profu-
sion"
Il tell you, sir whatever it is, the
mine is nearly run out"
ut will not be bad fer the morals CT
the town when it has quit. RUIZ out
AS regards the tavern and its compa-
ny, it is indeed astonishing to me that
any man should find pleasure in such
Il company and in such discourse. At
the head Of the table sat my lord. He
appeared to be neither pleased nor dis
pleased The drink flowed like a stream
Df running water. 1t seized on all and
made their faces red, their voices thick.
The noble leader sat unmoved, or, If
moved at all, then by a kind Of con-
tempt At o'clock he arose and walk
ed out into the street, where his chair
awaited him.
"This is his humor," said my guide.
"Play is his passion. 1t is the one thing
that lie lives for"
SO had learned all that / wanted tc
know. 1t was now quito certain that
we We're within a very short distance
from the end. The lands and houses,
the feet and the business would be
sold. What next?
The day after this experience in the
life Of Il rake | paid visit for the
first and only time to st. James park
IN the afternoon. 1t was, | remember.
cold but clear and bright day in
January. At the gates stood a crowd
Of lackcys and fellows waiting for their
ladies and stamping on the ground
TO keep off the cold Within a goodly
company walked briskly up and down.
They were the great people OF Lon
don whom | saw here. While looked
Oll, duinlIIug the dresses OF the ladies'
md the extravagances Of the gen
tlemen, who seemed to vie with each
other in calling attention to themselves
by their dress and by their gestures,
there passed me, walking alone, lady
whom at first | did not recognize She
started, however. and smartly tapped
my hand with her fan. She carried the
fan, although it was winter, Just rs the
beaus dangled their canes from their
wrists.
"Why," she cried, at is my sailor!
1t IS surely Jack Pentecrossew
Then recognized the Lady Anasta.
STA.
"And what is Jack Pentecrosse do.
Ing In this wicked town? And how Is
Molly, the countess? Come, Jack to
my house. 1t is not far from here.
should like talk with you and to hear
the news. And | will give you a dish
of tea. Why, left Lynn In disgrace
did | not? On account of the grand
jury of Mlddlesex? 1t was that even
ing when Lord Fylingdalc turned upon
his enemies"
Her house was not very far from