The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-12

chapel where he had gone to hear a celebrated preacher. She was seated In d pew with a man, evidently her hus- band, and between them was child.
 When the service was over Nal trayers. almost beside himself, tried to make his way to his old love. But pe- fore he could get thrc.-gh the crowd he saw Alice and the child helped by the man with them into a fine barouche which drove rapidly away.
 Hardly knowing what he did he ran after the carriage for several squares but lost it at last in the crowded streets.
 We'll, Alice was nov in want Evi- dently she was married and happy. He felt freer now to pay his address to Lady Florence and at length their en : gagement was announced. Now there was in London a certain Castruccio Cesarini. a young Italian poet of mediocre ability, inordinate vanity and small means which means he soon dissipated. Ernest had known his family in Italy and helped Cesarini financially and otherwise. The poet was an eccentric, nervous, half mad youth and "society'-he hav- ing brought good letters of introduce tion-amused itself with him. He had fallen desperately in love with Lady Florence before Ernest was 'iiNAN tidi CiNil tO lne ETH. But Lun1- ley early saw the leaning of iady Florence and, Cesarini having confided 10 him, matched out a scheme for mak- ing use of the Italian.
 ou have seen, doubtless" said Fer rers, that Lady Florence thinks mighty we'll of MT. Maltravers, while he does not regard her so favorably."
 Yes. and I hate him: will kill him the dagger, my friend'
 "NnnSanSo p coi will do is to copy a letter which I will | write Tor you and send 1t to Maltravers.' D The Hateful Letter l The letter which Lumley wrote and Cesarini copied and signed was one in which the poor poet said that he was | thinking of marrying and had reasons 10 believe that Lady Florence would be | favorable to his suit.
 Did Maltravers think Lady Florence | was woman calculated to make a suit | able wife for such as he? Ernest sent back an answer in which he went at some length into the character of Lady Florence, as he then thought it to be. and declared that she would not be a suitable wife for a poor man; that she had fooled many aspirants for her hand | and might, at last, be fooled herself 1 Il don't know what all this means" " said Cesarini, what is your scheme?' ! T know what it means" said Lum- ley, delighted at the letter, trust to me and you shall have your prize." And he carefully put away the letter He foresaw that eventually Ernest would return Florence's affection. Then he l could use that letter.
 | Time passed and then came the change | In the sentiments of Ernest toward Lady | Florence and the announcement of their | engagement.
 l NOW said Lumley. write a note of congratulation to Maltravers." Cesarini did 80. Secondly" said Fer rers, i've must change the date of the letter Maltravers formerly sent you re- garding Lady Florence, so that 1t may | seem to be an answer to your note of congratulation.
 Also a word here and there must be scratched out and rewritten. There, that will do very well. Upon my word, I be. lieve l would have made my fortune as forger."
 The Fatal Blow
 Cesarini at first objected to the vilainy but was swept away by the stronger vii
 of Lumley and by the distraction of his own mad passion.
 Then. driven on by frenzy and forced by the almost hynotic power Lumley had acquired over him. CeSarin1 went to Flor ence and showed her the letter saying
 that he had written to Ernest to congrat.
 ulate him-and he felt 1t his duty, etc.
 Lady Florence was struck to the heart In spite of her apparent health she ha6 long been afflicted with fatal disease and this blow accelerated her decline. She broke with Ernest without wort of explanation, went into a decline ani physicians pronounced her doom.
 Cesarni, when he heard this. fell into frenzy of remorse, went to her ant
 confessed what he had done.
 But he did not betray Lumley. for Lum
 ley had made him swear solemn oatf
 that he would not. T have killed her!
 have killed her" was Cesarinis ont
 thought
 The Death of Florence Florence sent for Maltravers and tolt him of Cesarini's confession. Filled with { thirst for vengeance. Ernest hunted ou