Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-29
Did my mother ever say anything

Italy. / was there, too, and 1t was
Mt Milan that the episode occurred
which led to the dismissal Of Eliza
Stokes"
What was that?"
"Why, there was n young English
waiter, quite boy he was. who fell
in love with Eliza when she was TAX
ing charge of you ut the Hotel de Vile.
She refused to marry him and limited
that she loved your father. Nane
heard of this and taxed her with i'm
pertincncc. The end Of it was that
Eliza said too much and was dismiss
ed. And Jane Fraser was sent from
England by Nane's mother to nurse
you. That looks as though Lady DCY-
rington believed in the marriage"
at docs.' admitted Brcndon hope
fully. she would not have sent n
nurse had anything been wrong. On
the other hand, if she had been quite
certain about the marriage she might
have offered to take charge of me-
she did, | believe. but your father
was so fond of you-for your mothers
Eake-that he could scarcely bear you
out of his sight. However, Eliza went
and Jane came. and then your father
went to san Reno. You were then
two years of age
Ibid not my father return TO Eng
land during all that tine!'
"No. When he left England with
your mother he never returned. She
died in Paris, and, with you in charge
of aurSc, Nanc wandered about the
continent. | was twice in Italy and
saw him-thc second time it was ut
San Reno"
IF YOU disliked my father so much
why did you seek him out:'
"'To see you. George. You were her
child, and | loved Rosina so dearly"
Ireland stopped. gulped down his emo
ton. and proceeded more calmly, yes,
| was at San Reno when your father
was murdered
you never told me that before" said
Brcndon.
Il never told you anything before"
replied Ireland dryly. And | should
not tell you now but that my health
is getting SO bad that l may not live
long. | have an incurable disease,
which will SOONER or later carry me off
no. ! don't want sympathy. Let me
finish the story and then we need not
I refer to it again. | had intended to
leave a written statement behind me
for YOU. George, but this is better, as
YOU can ask me questions about what
You do not understand
II understand all so far" said
George thoughtfully. But about this
murder, Mr.. ireland? Who killed my
father"
THAT was never discovered. He
went to masked ball and was seen
leaving the room in the company of a
blue domino. His body was found on
! the stones of the beach early next
morning. He had been stabbed to the
| heart"
who was the lady-the blue domi
! no:'
NO one over learned. She was
/ cloaked ana masked. The whole thing
| is mystery. Your fathers body was
taken to England. and as Lord Der
rington refused TO acknowledge the
marriage Lockwood took charge of
YOU
II remember, and Jane Fraser was
my nurse for many years. She was at
San Reno when the murder took
place."
Yes. and SO was Eliza Stokes
What was she doing there"
well, this water-hy the way his
name was George also. although you
were called after Lock woods father
well, George Rates, seeing that Eliza
! was dismissed, got her II situation at n
! hotel i'll San Reno. He came there also
during the season. and l believe the
two married, But Eliza Stokes never
came near Your father"
what became of her afterwards
Ireland heSitntcd Il cant say" he
said
But | can" observed George coolly.
she was murdered the other day at
the Amelia square house as Mrs. .Jcr,
sey'
4 heard of that crime But how do
you identify Eliza Stokes with Mrs
Jersey"
My old nurse, Jane Fraser. told me.
When | began these inquiries | look ed
up Jane, who now lives in little rs
sex village. She lold me all she could
which was not much But she stated
that when here on" day ON Il visit to
You she had met Eliza Stokes, and in
spite of her age and gray hairs she
had recognized her. Eliza told her that
she was called Mrs. Jersey and had
taken a boarding house in Amelia
sUinrc. chen determined 10 speak to
Mr.. Jersey, who thought might have
been present at the marriage or ut al
events might know where it had bcel
celebrated"
at is probable she did" said Ire
land, "as she WAS with your mother
as maid when the clopomcnt tool
place. Did YOU soc Mrs Jersey, OF
Eliza Stokes. as | still regard herr
- saw her, but She was murdered
before could manage to speak to hcl
OH the subject. Did You know
Il know that Eliza Stokes haC
changed her name Ia Mrs. Jersey ant
was in Amelia square" said Ireland
"hut | only learned this the other day
who told you
~ woman called Miss Bull" sai(
, Ireland.
Miss Bull repeated George. :"
remember. That was the hoarder wh'
1 t,1.. a. Nus