LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2491, 31 March 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

THE KNAVE UNMASKED, (Concluded ) Mr Blandford placed the letter in his pocket, and commenced talking on another subject, as if anxlons that this should not be mentioned again. Although Mr Worthiman was conscious of having done nothing which he did not deem it his duty to do, he was afraid that Ellen and her father might not rightly view his motives. Even now—after seeing Sir J, F. Itone’s certificate—he was not satisfied; but such was his regugnance again to give utterance to doubts, that he scrupulously held his peace. The reader will probably pronounce Mr Worthiman to be very unreasonable. He, himself, was afraid that such was the case. But the style of eulogy In which Sir J, F. Stone spoke of Mr Britton did not appear to him at all characteristic of a gentleman, and now, more than ever, did he fear that some deception was practised. So strongly indeed was he impressed with this idea, that he could not rest until he had writen a letter to the postmaster of W . Two days passed. On the morning of the third a letter was received by Mr Worthiman. He was at the breakfast table when It was handed him, and more than one of his friends observed the sudden change of his countenance as he tore it open. He read as follows ;— * In reply to your enquiry I have only to say that there is no snob person as Sir J. F. Stone living in W , and I never heard the name until a few days since, when a letter, superscribed with It, came to this P. 0., and was taken out by another person. As for the man named Britton. I believe there was formerly such a person at the W Hotel, but I know nothing definite concerning him. Your humble servant, Thomas Sfow, postmaster.’ Mr Worthim&n arose from the table. His friends noticed his abrupt movement and his agitated manner. Telling them hurriedly that he was called upon to leave town that morning, he ordered bis chaise, adding that he might not return within a day or two. Half an hour later he was driving rapidly through the village. It was Tuesday morning. Mr Worthiman had a journey of more than a hundred miles before him. All the morning he travelled in his chaise, but after dinner, leaving tho horse and vehicle at a hotel, ho betook himself to the railroad, and continued his journey by express. It was about sunset when tho clergyman arrived in W—. Having deposited bis carpet-bag at the hotel, ho proceeded without delay to the post-office—introduced himself to Mr Snow, and told him his business.

‘There is no baronet in W—, I’m sure,’ said Mr (■'bow.

4 And are any of these names familiar to you ?’ Mi Worthiman showed him a list of names Britton had written on the card he g -ve Mr Bland ford. ‘ No, sir, there are no such men in W—. But I have heard of the names before,’ ‘ Well?’

‘The person who took the letter addressed to “Stone,” asked for letters for all these names.’

Mr Worthiman now felt sure that ho saw through the whole trick. ‘ And who is this person?’ * Hia name is Hubble He is a horsedealer, or something of the sort.’ * And where is ho to be found ?’ *He stops at the W— Hotel.’

Having put a fow more questions concerning Britton and Hubble, the horse-dealer, Mr Worthiman returned to the hotel. Hubble was not In ; nor did he make his appearance until late in the evening. But such was the clergyman’s anxiety to see him that ha sat up to await his return. It was p«st midnight when a showily-dressed man was introduced to him as Mr Hubble. That he had been too freely indulging in strong drink was evident enough from hia incoherent and excited manner, Uut this circumstance bo far favored the clergyman’s purpose as to render it a perfectly easy matter to ascertain every particular of Britton’s former life. These particulars showed the fellow to be a thorough knave. Iha letters respecting his ohararter were all forged by Hubble ; but what was of most Importance was the fact that Britton was a married man. He had married, and afterwards desortsd, the daughter of a Dr. Martin of L—, whose address Worthiman immeliatily procured. Littlo did the clergyman sleep that night. The important secrets which the inebriated horse dealer had disclosed to him, occupied his mind ; and he formed his plans for the following day. Mr Worthiman arose at dawn, took an early breakfast, and set out for L In the first morning train. He was immediately on hia arrival directed to the house he sought, and learned, from the injured man himself, all the particulars of Britton’s desertion of his wife.

In the meanwhile, nobody in Springley suspected the object of the clergyman’s journey, and no one knew whither he had gone. Mr Britton, rejoicing in the fancied success of his deception, waited anxiously for the arrival of his wedding day. The preparations for the wedding were made, the guests wore invited, and, as the time drew near, the bride was dressed for the occasion. The bridal procession started and arrived at the church, but the clergyman was absent. Ho was expected every moment, so the party waited, somewhat impatiently, In the vestry. But Ellen expressed no regrets. The truth is. she had long suspected that the minister loved her, and there was a tumult in her heart which I will not attempt to describe. I need only add—she hoped the minister would not come ! Her father withdrew, but in a few moments he returned, saying that as Mr Worthiman was still absent, it was thought best the ceremony should be performed by an old clergyman, a friend of the minister's, who was one of the guests, and a magistrate, Ellen trembled violently; but she could not object. ‘ At least,’ thought she, ‘Mr Worthiman will not marry us—l am ready ! * The bridegroom and bride,‘accompanied by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, entered the church, where the guests were assembled, and took their p’rccs. Ellen was pale and agitated. She appeared to shrink from the man whose wife she was to become. Britton meanwhile, hla lips compressed with an expression of determination to triumph, looked intently at the clergyman. The latter hesitating to begin the ceremony, Britton manifested his impatience, and before the reverend gentleman had read a sentence, two vehicles rolled up to the door, and Mr Worttiman made his appearance. Britton frowned at the interruption ; he dreaded another lecture on wedlock. Ellen turned very pale, Mr Worthiman advanced towards the clergyman.

■ ‘ Have you marriel them ?’ ho asked in a husky voice. ‘lf yon had coma two minutes later, I should hive answe.ed yes.’ * Then I have arrived in time. You will allow me. sir, to take your place.’ Every eye was fixed on the haggard face and strangely gleaming eyes of the yonng minister.

‘John Britton,’ said he, in a deep, earnest voice, ‘is It your intention to make this woman yonr wife ’ Britton bowed his head. ‘ Then it is your intention to perjure yourself before God and man.’ Thera was a movement of surprise and wonder amongst the guests. Britton became livid with rage and apprehension. The bride clasped her hands, fixed her eyes intently on the clergyman, and stood white and motionless as a marble statue.

‘Sir,’said Mr Blandford, anxiously, ‘do you know what you say ?’ * I know I speak the truth. Here are my witnesses.’

Dr Martin stepped forward. Britton recoiled with a look of rage and consterna tion.

‘ Do you know me, villain ?’ demanded the doctor ; ‘ I am Samuel Martin—the father of your injured wife !’ ‘lt is fake !’ muttered Britton, hoarsely ; ’take the madman away,’ The doctor sneered, raised his hand, and • stout man advanced through the crowd of disconcerted and amazed guests. *Mr Britton, ’ said he, ‘we know each other, and yon will not doubt my authority. It is my duty to arrest you.’ ‘Sir,’ muttered Britton, 'of what am I accused ? ’ ‘ Forgery 1 ’ replied the officer.

Britton’s countenance fell ; he made no resistance. And while the company broke up in oonfneion, and the bride was fainting in the hands of her maids, the officer and his assistant conveyed their prisoner to the nearest publichouse, to keep him until morning. This exciting event made quite a stir In Springley. Britton was suddenly remembered to have been a knavish-looking fellow, Ellen Blandford was pitied, and the clergyman lionised.

It was several weeks before Ellen again appeared In her accustomed place on the Sabbath, for a lingering fever had been the result of tho Buffering she had undergone At length she entered the church with her father—thin and pale, but no less beautiful than formerly. As Mr Worthiman, having ascended the pulpit, cast his eye in the direction of Mr Blandford’s pew, and saw Ellen’s sad, sweet face turned towards him, he felt a thrill of pleasure strangely mixed with pain. Many were the sentiments in his sermon addressed to her that day ; words of advice and consolation, which none conld understand as well as she, and for which she felt truly grateful.

Mr Worthiman was now a constant visitor at the house of Mr Blandford, where he was ever a welcome guest. He had taken It upon himself to console Kllen ; and, had you seen the bloom returning lo her cheek, and the light of happiness to her eye, you would have said he succeeded well. One afternoon Mr Worthiman received a copy of the L * Gazette, ’ from which he learned that Britton had been convicted of forgery, and sentenced to seven years' transportation, and his injured wife had ended her earthly sorrows within half an hour after he had been condemned. Such was the sad intelligence the clergyman had to convey that evening to Ellen Blandford. A few months after the clergyman was wedded to ono every way worthy to become a clergyman’s wife ; and If ever a person suspected that he married Ellen for her money, that person must have been speedily convinced to the oontray, by tho use Mr Worthiman made of It in doing good.