The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-18
e The cory... o. the Groom ~ =

Lady Ormaroyd's face.
We'll, l happen to have heard the
real story" she went on cemplaeently.
IF 1 was not absolutely sure of your
discretion, dear Nine Beaudelet, I
should not dare to breathe it, its-aw-
full! AT first I couldn't credit myself,
but. really, now / do believe it's true"
She settled herself in a more COM
Portable position and closed her eyes.
My confidential maid, Paulton, who
has been with me for nearly twenty
years, has sister who is married to
a coach builder at Tachford. the neigh
boring town to E, where Lady
VS. country place is. Their eldest
son is one of the grooms at Stagdene.
He was dismissed for some trif1inG
fault after the sudden illness of the
countess. But, strange to say he ap-
peared to be possessed of sum of ready
money more than an equivalent for
short notice, or even the usual month
In default" But he was discreet. He
kept his mouth shut and save for q
hint or two of what he could say did
he choose to talk. No one could get
anything out of him, even his mother.
But every one has their moment Of
weakness, and one night he came home
little the worse for beer, or cider,
or whatever it is that sort of person
drinks. And his mother, who l verify
believe is as fond of scandals as my
Paulton-worked on the unfortunate
lads feelings to such a degree that he
told her the story of his dismissal.
1t appears that for some days before
Lady W came down to Stagdenc
a quietly dressed. rather pretty woman
had been staying in the neighborhood,
ostensibly for her health. Every one
thought she was widow.
Country people always do think
you're widow if you are young ana
alone and dress in black. One evening
this widow happened to come across
Tom Watkins and addressed few
words to him. Their import isn't OF
much consequence to them now, but
s their results are. In short my dear
Mime. Beaudelet, the mysterious lady
in black, bribed Tom heavily to allow
her to visit the stables on that same
eventful Sunday morning selected by
Lady W for her own inspection
He says all he did was to show her in
after the countess had entered. But
by some miSadventure the door got
secured on the outside. Being Sun
day morning, none of the other stable
helps were about so early. Tom be-
took himself to other duties at con-
siderable distance from tfe-scene of
action. After a quarter of an hour or
so he returned to unfasten the door.
The lady in black walked out, white
do d 6iOSt, Uul lOOklilS triumphant.
On the brick floor, just by the manager
of her favorite horse, lay the countess.
Beside her was broken horsewhip.
Her face was bruised her gown torn
to shreds and her shoulders a mass
of wheais and cuts, from which the
blood was streaming. The lad was
Mortified, but he was also prudent
enough to seek out her confidential
maid and bring her to her mistress
assistance.
Between them they got her into the
house unseen, and Tom was instructed
to fetch the village doctor, who gave
out about German measles The mys-
ferrous lady disappeared that same
day. The doctor was no doubt i'm
pressed with the value of discretion
while attending a titled patient. So
no one has any suspicious of the true
state of things except the dismissed
groom and the lady's maid. 1 sup
posed Tom was sent away for fear of
his babbling. To my thinking it was
an impolitic proceeding. However, of
course 1 shall say nothing. unless I
hear The story is being repeated. And
| know l can rely upon you, Nine.
Beaudelet."