The Cotton Factory Times. — 1899-10-27 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

ELISE INEBSTER.  PART I.  Snorers or CHAPTama I TO VI. In the summer of 187— the internal state of affairs at Highbury Hall was something in this wise: Philip Lauderdale, poet, in love with, and engaged to, his cousin Blanche, the only child of Squire Lauderdale, owner of Highbury Hall, and most of the land around Lowthorpe. George Baring, the recently-appointed Rector of Lowthorpe, also in love with Blanche Lauderdale. Blanche, mostly in love with her own adorable self, deep in the sweets of a stealthy flirtation with the rector, half. proud, half-afraid of her conquest, and wholly datesmined to conceal it from the knowledge of her fiancee, whose literary calling kept him in London, except on rare occasions, when he made a flying visit to Lowthorpe to see his uncle and his betrothed. I mention this fact specially, because from this deception of Blanche Lauderdale's came all the mystery, the darkness, that afterwards shrouded the family. Jenny, the orphan niece and ward of the Squire, and Dr. Jack Lauderdale, a young man of bachelor proclivities, in character entirely opposed to his brother the poet, make up the complement of the dramatis personas with whom we have chiefly to do in the meantime. One night Blanche and her father sat talking longer than usual, and then a note was despatched to the rector. Next morning the Squire was found dead in his chair. The family doctor says that death is the result of heart disease, but Dr. Mary Carr proves that a murder has been committed, a finding which the family resent. Dr. Jack regards the lady doctor with great contempt, and is only convinced that violence has had anything to do with the Squire's death after the post-mortem had confirmed Dr. Mary Carr's opinion. A detective arrives, and soon finds out that Dr. Mary Carr is the only one who appears to be able to give any clue to the mystery. In an interview with Dr. Jack the Rector announces that he is engaged to Blanche, though everyone supposed Blanche to be engaged to Philip, and even Philip himself was under the same impression. Jack washes his hands of the matter, and reflects, " The jade shall fight her own battles." Blanche on her part appears to be stricken down with grief at her father's death, but she wishes no steps taken to unravel the tragic circumstances of it. Philip arrives from London. He is met by Blanche with the statement that she is going to marry Baring in deference to her father's wish. When the squire's latest well is discovered everyone is surprised by the codicil, which states that unless Philip marries Jenny he forfeits the estates. Philip won't hear of the conditions, and says the estates may go. It was further found that the will had been tampered with ; a piece had been tore off, and it had evidently been thrust in the fire and drawn out again—by whom? And, although the detective sets to work on this clue, all the family wish the whole affair let alone. Philip takes the conditions of the Squire's will very badly, and appeals to Blanche to marry him in spite of it. Blanche however announces her intention of abiding by her father's desire that she should marry Baring. It is decided to keep the codicil secret from Jenny. At the memorial service the rector preached an inspired sermon to an awe-stricken congregation. Jenny goes to stay with Dr. Jack in the village.