Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-19

he Will court inquiry. II not, then we
are well rid Of noble knave."
j took the letters and ran across the
empty market place. On my way
saw the captain. He was walking to.
ward the Crown, with hanging head.
Let us first deal wah the captain.
He entered the room. hung up his hat
on the usual peg and put his stick in
us accustomed corner. Then he took
his seat and looked round.
81 am glad" he said, that there is
none present except you two. My
friends | am heavy ct heart"
$50 are We" said the vicar. "But 70
on, captain"
"You have heard, perhaps, a rumot
OF what has been arrangedY
There are rumors Of many kinds
The place Is full of rumors. II is m.
mored that q certain Colonel Lanyon
IS a sharper. 1t is also rumored that
Sam Senple Is villain. 1t is fur.
thcr rumorcd that the Rev. Bcnja min
Purden is "A disgrace 10 the cloth and
there is yet another rumor. What is
your runor, captain"
Lord Fylingdale proposes to marry
Molly, and have accepted and She
has accepted. but it was to be a pro.
found secret"
ut is SO profound a secret that the
company at the gardens this evening
are talking about nothing else"
The captain croau1d. 81 have received
a letter" he said 81 do not believe it,
but the contents are dlsquietng. There
is no signature. Read it,
The vicar read it: Captain Crowle-
Sir, you are very simple old man.
You are SO ignorant OF London and Of
the fashionable world that you do not
even know that Lord Fylingdale. to
whom you are about to give your ward
is the most notorious gambler. rake and
proiligate in the whole of that quarter
where the people Of fashion and of
quality carry on their prohigate lives.
In the interests OF innocence and vir.
ture make some inquiry into the truth
Of this statement before laying your
lovely ward in the arms Of the villain
who has come to Lynn with no other
object than 70 secure her fortune"
1T Is an anonymous letter" said the
vicar, "but there is something to be
said in support Of 1t. From what
source did you derive your belief in the
virtues Of this young noblemanW
From Sam Somple."
WHO is in the service of his iordshlp.
know not what be- does for him. but IL
he is turned out Of that service he will
infallibly be clappcd into debtors
prison"
There is also that grave and rever.
end divine
Tine man PuGAen, He is notorious
for writing ribald verses and for lead.
ing a life that is a disgrace to his pro.
feS>ion"
There is also the Lady Anastasia."
u know nothing about her ladyship
except that SE~keeps the bank. as they
call il, every evening and that the gam
ing table allures many to their destruc.
ton"
MY friends" said the captain, what
am l to do?"
You must make inquiry. You must
tell Lord Fylingdalo that things have
been brought TO you; that you cannot
believe them it, as is possible you do
not but that YOU must make INQUIRIES
before trusting your ward to his pro.
lection You are her guardian, cap.
tain"
Il am more than her guardian.
love her better than if she was my own
child"
I'VE know you do. captain. There.
fore write letter to him. Tell him
these things. Say that you must have
time 10 make these inquiries. l viii
help YOU with the letter. And tell him
as we'll that you must have time TO
draw mp settlements. If he is honest
he will consent 70 this Investigation
into his private character, If he wants
Molly and not h0r money bag. he will
at once agree 10 the settlement Of her
fortune upon herself"
Il am an old fool, ! suppose" said
the captain. Il have believed every.
thing and everybody. Yet cannot--
no, my friends. ] cannot think that this
man. so proud so bravo. who riSked his
life for Molly, is what this letter SAYS"
"Othcr letters say the same thipg,
Now, captain. let Us write"
The letter which was dictated by the
vicar was luly written, signed and
sealed TAon il was Mt up stairs to
his lordShin'S pryGtr room.
(TO BE CONTINUED)