Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-10


The indignant gentleman points toward the
door, and Curtis, glad to escape, crosses the
room in haste and passes out into the hall, and
goes speedily away.
letters to Randidge, warning him to avoid Mr..
Tyrvftt at any cost for the present. One of
these he intends to send 70 Randidge's apart
ments, another TO the Office OF the hotel, AMI
another he designs shall be entrusted to q SER
want, who will be instructed to watch for the
endangered man on his return from the ride,
upon which he (Curtis) supposes him to have
gone.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Tyrwitt has, with the aid of
his valet, made certain propositions, and has
sent hall porter TO request Randidge, when
found, to do him the favor of visiting him in his
parlor.
Randdge, who is still smoking in the pines
lhaviDg seated his wife in her saddle aud started
her Oh alone with her groom for a canter, to
allay suspicion concerning their intimacy
among the people thereabout), is found by Mr..
Tyrwitts messenger. He listens to the respect
full request with much doubt and curiosity. He
hesitates, recedss, but finally accepts and as
cends, not little perturbed, in spite of his
usual bardihOod, to the apartment Of the gen.
tlema1 with whom he is at issue. The servant
knocks, and is hidden to enter.
Mr.. Tyrwitt rises from his seat, and, upon
seeing Randidge, summons him with a pleasant
manner to enter.
In moment they are alone. The door closes.
The valet has stepped into the adjoining room.
Mr.. Tyrwitt points to chair, and, after Ran
didge has seated himself, he approaches the
main subject he apparently has in mind at
once.
sit seems, Mr.. Randidge, that you have done
my family the honor to ask for Miss Praeds
hand in marriage"
"Ah," reflects RsndIdge, ''he is yet in the
dark about the case" He replies, smoothly:
"Miss Praed has done me the honor to accept
my addresses, sir. She Is one that must he
loved quickly and without delay, and that &C
counts for my neglect to ask your permission to
become her sutton until now" Aside: "Will
he swallow that?"
"Perhaps you are quite right" returns Mr..
Tyrwitt, with charming oomplacence. "Young
hearts seize true happiness much ofteuter tina n
old heads are able to arrange it for them"
Aside: "The impudent scamp"
from this point they go on with admirable ia
The host gradually becomes more affable and
gracious, and Rsndidge more delighted and ia
Now and then they laugh together, and thew
frequently nod and smile responsibility, as their
Their conversation turns upon the duties and
obligations of married life.
Eandidge does not see how a leonard can
change his spots or q man his habits
MI. TyrWitt assents to this entirely, and with
urbanity.
In the course of the succeeding conversation,
Randidge expresses himself adverse to child
rem, in favor Of hotel life, and of the throwing
OF the properties of the husband and
VIE TSa6 INTO . "sort of pool, you know
conceived notions of Mr.. Tyrwitt, and he rises
TO ring for clsret-cup, and Randidge throwsa
leg over the arm OF his chair.
mean all around. Breeds distrust. Seems as
though everybody's honesty was doubted. Yes,
hate settlements in any form, hate 'em!"
This, also, meets with Mr.; Tyrwitt's strong
other with every evidence of warm regard.
The claret- cup is brought in.
is contained in tall glass jug, through
whose transparent sides the agreeable com
pound OF ice, fruit, sugar, and wine, exhibits
most temptingly. Randidge involuntarily sits
up, mostens his lips, and fixes his eyes thirstily
upon the liquor.
HAnimali" eXclaims the host, inWardlv, SHE
shall have enough"
He pours out two glasses behind Randidge's
chair, and into the one intended for his guest he
stirs twenty grains of bromide of potassium.
This is a sleeping potion, quick of action, and
entirely harmless.
He explains to his guest that the great age OF
the wine may have produced in it a certain
tartness which he (RaRdidge) will, as a connois-
seur, no doubt accept as proof of its excellent
quality. Randidge, in the true manner of his
kind, empties his glass at draught, while Mr..
merely sips at his.
Randidge fills again and is happy; MT. Tyr
witt follows him.
The old gentleman moves his chair closer, and
begins to charm Randidge with the graces OF
his talk. The victim finds himself happy. He
opens what there is OF his heart, aud his pliable
tongue trips along with ecstacy. In an hour it
dimly sees his new friend, benign, smiling, and
still gesticulating before him.
His head mods in spite of himself, his arms
drop by his side, and he sinks heavily in his
laughter OF his conqUerOr, and he smiles flick
ering smile In response, and then is lost.
Mr.. TyrWitt cautiously rises and proc eeds to
the door of the next apartment, and beckons
TO his man, who enters, bringing a pair Of raz
ors and set OF shaving utensils.
Together they bolster up Randidge's head
N.1f1 a 81
to cut the offending hair from his lip.
Meanwhile Mr.. Tyrwitt PAGES up and down
with most triumphant look.
"Ah, you wretcbed sham, you shall be ex-
posed! Tom MOore's Unveiled Prophet did not
present worse spectacle than we shall look
upon IN another moment. 1t is said that Sheri-
dan had the brow OF god, but the mouth of a
satyr. You will be found to resemble Sheridan,
except that you have the head OF an ass. So
you want the money pooled, Ell? You dislike
1rats, do you? You are skilled in the taste of
sort of thing And yet with so sweet an eve, so
tender voice, and SO winning manner! But
let US get at your mouth, my friend. Only per-
NIT us to take away that silly screen that covers
the only tell-tale that can warn the unsuspect-
ing Then l will bring my niece. She will
stare, purse up her lips, turn her shoulder
Then shall have saved her. Let me wheel
you TO me light, SO. Good! hope that Eu-
The barber undertakes the work with great
care.
Randidge's mustache disappears by degrees
under his hands.
The delighted Machiavelli becomes more and
more excited as the experiment proceeds.
He cries:
"Admirablel 1t is better than / thought. 1t
is shocking! wretched!"
RanGidge's face gradually becomes trans-
formed. His mouth is truly a repellng one.
As the valet finally rises from his work the old
gentleman hastens to the door and bids a ser
want TO search for his niece, and to request her
to call upon him at once.
DE dismisses Eugene, reminding him that abb
solute secrecy will be expected of him.
Ten minutes pass.
Randidge still sleeps. His antagonist walks
up and down, now and then turning upon his
captive look of triumph.
At the end of that time Randidge begins to
recover his senses. He yawns and gathers his
linn bs together, and opens his eyes. He is be-
wildered. he stares about him with sober per-
plexity.
His gaze settles upon Mr.. Trywitt. Why
does he laugh? Why does he shake his head?
Why does he rest his chin upon his hand, and
nx MS eyes In so curious manner?
he starts and sits erect. His eyes become
large. He suddenly raises his hand to his lip.
His treasure has been filched.
A fresh burst of hilarity comes from the
mouth OF his torment0r, who contemplates him
from a short distance.
RaDdidge bounds to his feet.
at this instant the niece enters the room.
Mr. Tyrwitt calls to her in voice broken with
rapid breathing.
81 Ook at him Madl Rehold the sborn Sam