"STAR" TALES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7702, 11 May 1903, Page 4

"STAR" TALES.

HIS LORDSHIP'S PRE-

TENCE.

(By ROBERT H. SHERARD.) Author of " The White Slaves of England."

[A_l Rights R_s_rv_d.]

"I tell you, the man is an impostor." " And I tell you that his title is a genuine one." T " There is no such name in Debrett. . 1 _«ye looked it up. Nor in Burke either. " Well, all I can say is that I have seen ibis peerage patent, illuminated parchment, great seal of England and all. The patent was issued by Charles 1., and the King's sign-manual is there. The document is undoubtedly a genuine one, and, as it is in his Lordship's possession, I do not see any reason to doubt that he is the direct and lawful heir of the 'well-beloved Step'hanus Langfordus' afore-mentioned, and consequently has every right to style himself the Earl of Langford." The above conversation took place in the luxurious smoking-room, of a club in the Rue die la Chausee d'Antin in Paris. The speakers were two Englishmen, whoj having come over to Paris for a holiday, had obtained 1 admission as temporary members to the club in question. It was a place where heavier gambling went on every night tban in any other club in) Paris z and wae frequented 1 by an elegant if not very reputable class of men. ,

The man who had spoken first was a retired officer named Morgan. His companion, Bronson, was much younger. " All that's very fine," retorted Morgan, " but it proves nothing. Tho patent may have been stolen! or tbe fellow may (have picked it up at some curiosity shop. I tell you he is not^n Debrett. Under the heading Earl of Langford you will find the words, 'This peerage became extinct in 1860, on the demise of the ninth Earl.' " " Is that the famous Lord Langford you are speaking about?" said 1 a gentleman who had just entered the smoking-room. "Ah, it's you, Dubreuil," eaid Morgan. " Good morning. Yes. I say the fellow

it a wrong 'un." "Oh, undoubtedly a wrong 'un^' said the Frenohman. "As you know, lam a newspaper man and travel as special correspondent to all parts of the world. Well, wherever I have been about in Europe of late I have heard the very worst stories of this so-called Lord Langford. By the way, there was a long article in the " New York Informer" the other day, and! the heading was 'An International Crook.' You ought to read it." " What* do you think of your friend now, BronEon?" asked Morgan.

" He is no friend of mine," answered the 3'oung man. " I met him here, and' found him a nice fellow, and he gave me an excellent lunch at the Meurice, where I saw the patent I have told you of. The moan may be all you cay and yet may have every right to call himself Lord Langford. He is not the only English aristocrat who can be described as an ' international crook.' "

Whilst this conversation was in progress the man who was so being discussed was walking from tho Hotel Meurice to the neighbouring Hotel Continental. He was a tall, handsome man of about forty-five yeara of age. His bearing and manners were those of a gentleman, yet there was •omet-ing in his eyes which would! have •roused suspicion in the mind of a trained observer of human countenances, a shifty, furtive, hunted look. Andl then the jewellery which he wore was peculiar in a man who was otherwise dressed like a pentleman. There was too much of it to fcegin with j. and the patterns were "loud."

On reaching the Hotel Continental, he asked it Mi-s Septimus Odgers was at home, and then whether „he was ablo to receive the " Earl of Langford." A iminuto or two later he was ushered by a bowing flunkey into the drawing-room of the magnificent and expensive suite on the first floor, occupied by tho 'American, widow, whose millions, jewels, and social pret__sions were at that time the tsdlf of all Paris.

On the deatli of her 'husband, whom not all his patent medicines had been . able to save from the effects of overwork, excitement and "whisky, Mrs Odgers, • his sole le^ gatee, had come straight to Europe with the ill-disguised intention of securing a titled husband. She was a woman of great social ambition; who, having commenced life in a Cincinnati tenement house as a "wash-lady," wished to end it as a person cf rank and fashion.

At the time when she had made the acquaintance of the Early of Langford, she •was hesitating between- a French Duke, a Russian Prince, and a Neapolitan gentleman of equal rank, all men of undoubted family, and all equally impecunious. Tho prospect, however, of becoming the wife of an English peer, with the right to a seat in the Peeresses' Gallery in the House of Lords and the entree to the Court of St James, which arose before her after her introduction to his lordship, had rendered Mrs Odgers entirely indifferent to the pressing attentions of her foreign suitors, and she had already given the Earl of Langford to understand that her bejewelled hand might be his for the asking.

»., It was therefore with smiling confidence that he entered the gorgeous salon of Mrs Odgers apartment. In a few minutes more, he thought, he would 'be one of the richest, men in Paris. He was accordingly comewhat abashed to notice, during the preliminary greetings, that the lady's manner was decidedly frigid.

"Maiden modesty," he muttered to _im•elf With an. inward sneer, and was just about -to launch out into th- impassioned declaration which he had prepared, when Mrs Odgers, speaking very deliberately, said : I

"Don't trouble to make a speech, but just listen; to me. You have seen what has appeared about you in the " New York Informer? It's—"

" I have indeed," cried Lprd Langford in a burst of passion, " and I have purchased the 'heaviest riding whip to be found in Paris to lay over the writer's shoulders."

" I say nothing about the charges made Against you of running up debts at hotels, «nd co on," continued the widow placidly. **That can happen to any _ian. And I aay nothing about your being penniless, no estates, no baronial halls — "

"I informed you long ago, Madam, that X had nothing to live on beyond a very email allowance," said the earl. /' " Yes, I know, and I care nothing for

A little cough will take you off When you the least expect it, If you don't try to make it fly But happen to neglect it. For coughs increase, and never cease, When once their footing's sure, Yet at the start they all depart With • 8 WOODS' GREAT PEPPERMINT OURE.

that. But what Ido care about," she continued, "is the statement tliat you have no right to your name and title. I have had inquiries made, and they seem to confirm the 'Informer' reporter's story. The title, it is said, became extinct in 1850."

" It fell into abeyance at that date," said Lord Langford irritably. "My father never assumed it. He had no money, and he used to say that there was no person more ridiculous than a penniless peer. I, on my father's demise, took what was my right. My ancestor won this honour by his loyalty to the Stuart cause, and I will wear it in spite of all. I have under the King's sign-manual and the great seal of England the patent that establishes my right."

" Tho ' Informer ' says that dt is a forgery," said the widow. Then, as flushed with anger, Lord Langford sprang to his feet, she continued. "And, apart from that, I am informed that English peers do not carry their patents with th-o_ on Con-fine-rial tours, any more than kings or queens drive out with their crowns on their heads. In short — now, don't get angry — I should like some better proof of your right to call yourself an earl, and your wife a countess, before we talk again on tho matter which brought you here this morning."

He rose and bowed with such a manner of politeness that the lady half doubted the information oa which she had challenged him. Then he said: — "It is your undoubted right, Madam, and you shall be satisfied " — and walked out of the room with his face blanched and his teeth set, and a look of wild fury in his eyes.

Stephen Langford knew that true and real as was the parchment on which- he had so shamefully traded, he could* never prove his right to a title which indeed he had only assumed to help him in tlie adventurer's life which for yeara past he hadi been, leading on the Continent. His ' disappointment was bitter. His position wag most critical,. and he had firmly counted on the simplicity and ignorance of the American widow to inveigle her into a marriage by which his fortunes might splendidly be retrieved.

There had been a time when Langford had the right to call himself gentleman. Moreover, he was not without some connection with tlie noble family whose hereditary title ho had usurped. His father wa3 a kinsman of the late Earl, and, indeed, on. his death had inherited his estates, a barren legacy, however, for Langford Towers, and its cares were so heavily mortgaged, that when, in the event, tha inevitable foreclosure took place, barely a thousand pounds was left over after all legal expenses had been paid. That occurred whilst- Stephen was still ait Oxford. The famous patent was already ip. his possession. He had found it one day whilati rummaging in one of the lumber rooms in Langford Towers, and without his father's knowledge or consent had appropriated it. It has beon said that Langford _ position was a critical ono on the day when thistory opens. He had, as against a very heavy hotel hill, only two or three poundin hi- pocket, with no prospect of anything, more to come for -several weeks, and that morning he had had a. very stormy interview with the hotel manager, in the course of whioh criminal proceedings for "abuse of confidence" had been hinted at. There was nothing for it but to once more take to his heels.

" Yes, and how far can I get with three pounds in my pocket?" he muttered to himself as lie strode along the Rue de Bivoli. "No, I shall have to trust toe my luck again to-night, and try that pocketbook trick, which worked so well in Homburg, once agajn. If it comes off, all right, the situation will be saved, if not — well, then." And' he shrugged his shoulders in a significant manner.

That night there waa a serious scandal at the club in the Rue de la Chaussee d'Antin. Towards eleven, o'clock a player, who was holding the bank at one of the baccarattable- in the card-room, noticing that more money than he cared fo risk had bean staked by the punters on his next deal ah-

nounced that he preferred not to hold the bank any longer, and that any other player might take over the cards. "How much is staked on this deal?" asked the. Earl of Langford, stepping, up to the table.

" About three hundred and 'fifty pounds, my Lord," said tlie croupier, after glancing down both sides of the table. "Very well," said his Lord_hip,. sitting! down in the banker's place, " I'll take the cards." And so saying he produced a small, but bulky pocket-book -which he laid on the table by hia side. It was of Russian, leaMwr, and was ornamented' with a tiny gold coronet studded with diamonds. 'Inaction implied that the pocket-book contained bank-notes of sufficient value to pay all the punters in case the deal went against tho bank. The croupier nodded in acceptance, and his Lord*-liip picked up the card si anid dealt. One to the right, one to theleft, and then ono to himself. Then again, one to the right, one to the left, Men one to himself. Then he nervously picked up) his two cards, glanced at diem, flushed) with pleasure, amd throwing them faoe upwards on the table, cried out, " Nine !'' In, baccarat, nine, the higher natural, ,1s th© highest point," The bank had won. T_e» croupier raked in the stakes, and the -Earl I of Langford smilingly announced that to!| his gre-dt regret he was unable to play any more that night. He had, he said, a pressing engagement. . ! . "I'll take my winnings," ho said tbthe cashier. But at that moment a man stepped out from a group of men who had watched the scene, and said, " Stop. That money must not be paid over until we have had an explanation from his lords>lup." ."No," cried the other men, amongst whom Lord Langford recognised Morgan, Bronson, and Debreuil, "it must not be paid over." "And why not, if you please, gentlemen?" cried Lord Langford swinging'round, and facing the group. "Because," said the man who had first spoken — he was a Vicomte • and a noted duellist — " this is a club of men of honour, and we are not at all satisfied that had you lost on this deal you could have paid. In other words we don't believe that there is anything in that pocketbook." Angry words followed, replied to by still angrier. ones, until Lord Langford, goaded beyond control, imprudently accused the club of being a rendezvous of card sharpers. Then the storm broke on the wretched man's Wd. A score of angry denunciations poured out upon him. A player impounded the coronetted pocketbook, and emptied its contents on the green cloth. " Unpaid bills," he cried, " and pawntickets."

Bronson alone protested. " Shall we knock some of these fellows down, Langford?" he said.

The manager now came np and, as is the custom of Frenchmen, sided with the majority. It was altogether inadmissible, he said, that a man should take a bank if- he had no money to pay with, in "case he lost. It was most 'suspicious conduct. " The police ! The police ! Send for the police!" cried a dozen voices.

Lord Langford, under the d-hger that menaced him now, regained his nerve. Picking up his pocketbook and facing the crowd he said : " I have given my explanation. I have an account at the Credit Lyonnais large enough to pay ten times the miserable sum in dispute.. But a« this is contested, the matter can stand over till tomorrow when my vartet shall bring, my pass-book to the cashier. Or the cashier can inform himself at -the bank. At any rate, unless the money owing to me is brought to me at the Hotel Meurice by foar o'clock to-morrow afternoon, I' shall loigu a complaint with the police authorities against this club, as a haunt of sharps and defaulters. And there must be a written apology from those who have insulted iri: That is all I have to say."

The Earl did not return td his hotel tfil early dawn, for the burning shame of his disgrace sent him racing about the silent streets like a man demented. And for all the evil things that .he had done in his evil life, the agony of that night was severe punishment. But a heavier retribution awaited him.

He was lying on his bed, dressed as he had entered, when, at eight o'clock, the head-waiter came into his rrootm t carrying two letters. His manner waa insolent, and there was a sarcastic ring about the "my lords " with which he too plentifully interpolated his remarks.

.Whilst Lord Langford was reading the first letter, the man stood looking on. It was a note from the hotel manager, reminding the Earl of their conversation the day before, and giving him till noon to settle his account.

"You can .go," said Lord Langford. "I will attend to this."

The man muttered something and withdrew, slamming the door behind him. He then placed his eye to the keyhole and saw the " earl " toying with the unopened letter, .as though reluctant to peruse its contents. Then he saw him open the letter, glance at it, and spring to his f eet V pale, trembling, haggard, convulsed, as though the news was indeed terrible. At last he burst out into tears and sank down on the bed, groaning aloud : "My God ! My God 1"

It- was indeed no sordid disappointment which had broken down the nerve of the titled adventurer, for this is the text of the letter which had struck him down: — . " 173 a, Lincoln's Inn Fields, "London, W.C

"My Lord, — We have the honour to inform you that certain documents, including the marriage certificate of your grandfather, the ninth Earl of Langford, have

come into our possession. For the want of these your late father was unable to assert any claim to the title. You are undoubtedly now in a position to do- so, for the proof cannot and will not be contested by the Committee of Privileges of the House of Lords. You have therefore had a perfect right to bear the title, as we understand you have done for somo time past. We shall ba happy to act for your lordship's interests, bufc "we must point out that the fees in connection with the substantiation of such a claim are heavy, and. unfortunately your accession does not bring with it any increase of income.

"We have the honour to remain, my Lord, your Lordship's most humble and obedient servants,

"Bevan, Partington and Miggs. " To the Right Honourable, "The Earl of Langford."

So it wasj that the pretence, the He, the fraud, the shameful masquerade of many years were in the fact not lie-, nor fraud, nor masquerade. He was no pretender, he was what he had played to be, and the biting bitterness of the revelation was that, deliberately, he had befouled the only aeritage handed down to him by a long line, of men, noble as they were noblemen, his ancestors. A sham Lord Langford he had been, a disgraced, if real Lord Langford he would be. Thtre was no issue, no escape, the harvest of his sins was in the reaping.

And there was upon him the pressing, the actual needs, the necessities of his position. In a few hours, unless money was obtained, he would be in the hands of the police. A few minutes later, the disorder of his attire having been repaired, smart, elegant and a man of fashion, he crossed the entrance hall. The manager noticing that his gaudy jewellery had disappeared, stepped forward with some expostulation on his lips. Lord Langford brushed him aside, and so out into the street. The managier followed. He saw the Earl pause at the doors of the Continental Hotel, and turn. His face was very pale. He hesitated for a full minute, and then swung round and, like a man going to death or degradation, entered the house.

Now ao is the way of the world, that wh^n, som<^ months later, thanks to the millions of the Countess of Langford, the Earl, having paid every penny of- his debts, had indubitably, and to the satisfaction of the Committee of Privileges, established his claim to his title, there was on tht Continent, no English nobleman more popular, more courted th^n the eleventh Earl of Langford. Yet the shame arid the remorse that were in the. man's heart were the P-_i_hme_t at all times upon him.