Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-30

the bulk of her fortune and was max
Ing ducks and brakes" with 1t 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 Molly's sub
stance. / could do nothing to stop or to
hinder the waste, yet when one knows
the truth it is generally more tolerable
than the uncertainty.
l thought over the plan for some
days. 1t assumed clearer shape It
became purpose. Molly, for her part,
neither approved nor disapproved. She
was for letting the man who pretended
to be her husband work his wicked will
and do what he pleased provided that
he left her In peace.
The end of 1t was that went to
London, riding with small company
and meeting with no adventures on the
way; that l put up at one Of the inns
outside Bishopsgate and that found
out my cousin and put the whole case
before him. He was q grave and re-
sponsible citizen, churchwarden and
Of good standing in the Stationers'
company.
you want to know how Lord Fy.
lingdale spends his money. I can help
you in this business"
1t was by the kind offices Of this gen.
tleman, whom found to be person
of quick wit and ready understanding,
besides being of most obliglng dis
position, that I 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 n gaming house and ended at
tavern. At both placeA kept In the
background because would not be
recognized by Lord Fylingdale.
BE came in to the gaming table with
the same lofty, cold carriage which he
had shown at our humble assembly.
he advanced to the table; he 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
to my corner. HE has lost 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"
II know his, gold mine," replied,
with sigh. "But 1t is nearly exhaust
ed"
We staid little longer. It was.about
10 or II in the evening that his lopdship
left the table.
"Come," said my friend. II know the
tavern where he will spend the next
three or four hours. l can take you
there. The bowls Of punch and the
company and everything is provided
at his lordship's expense. Mr.. Pente-
crosse, it must be not q gold mine, but
a mine of Golconda, to bear this profu-
sion"
II tell you, sir, whatever it is, the
mine is nearly run OUT
ut will not be bad for the morals Of
the town when it has quite run OUT
AS regards the tavern and its compa.
ny, 1t is indeed astonishing to me that
any man should find pleasure In such
a 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
of running water. 1t seized on all and
made their faces red, their voices thick.
The noble leader sat unmoved, or, If
moved at ali, then by a kind Of con-
tempt. At 2 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 he lives for.'
So l had learned oil that I wanted to
know. It was now quite certain that
we were within q very short distance
from the end. The lands and houses,
the fleet and the business would be
sold. What next?
| The day after this experience in the
life Of a rake paid visit for the
first and only time to st. James park
in the afternoon. It was, remember,
q cold but clear and bright day In
January. At the gates stood crowd
Of lackeys and fellows waiting for their
ladies and stamping on the ground
to keep off the cold. Within goodly
company walked briskly up and down.
They were the great people of Lon
don whom saw here. While looked
on, admiring the dresses Of the ladies
and 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 I did not recognize. She
started, however, and smartly tapped
my hand with her fan. She carried the
fan, although 1t was winter, just as the
beaus dangled their canes from theil
wrists.
"Why," she cried, sit is my sailor
1t is surely Jack Pentecrosse!'
Then recognized the Lady Anasta'
sia.
"And what is Jack Pentecrosse do
ing In this wicked town. And how is
Molly, the countess? Come, Jack, tt
my house. 1t Is not far from here.
should like talk with you and to heal
the news. And I will give you dist
of tea. Why, I left Lynn in disgrace
did not? On account of the grand
jury Of Middlesex? 1t was that even
ing when Lord Fylingdale turned upoI
his enemies"
Her house was not very far from
st. James street. As we walked aloni
sne discoursed pleasantly in her sor
and charming manner, as II she wa
made h0uUy 1tfst BY meeting me an,