The Morning herald., 1878-05-29

y
have been another John Lawren in the
world" .,...-s ......+..,.r4
eyes, but not another John Thursto Law.
rell," she answered. ''The name and age
md address were given in the obituary. In
the list there was Mr.. Lenny, who gave
evidence on the inquest; he was staying al
the hotel with John and Mr.. Richard Len.
ny; he was friend of my husbands in the
old days when we lived together. Perhaps
you had better see him."
II will see to everything" he said; ''but
/ fear you will have to come up to town. ]
shall probably come back and fetch you.
! Shall I find you here, or are you going back
to the cottage?" 4 F. A.. ~.
II shall 90 home. T must get my mourn
ing, and I do not feel fit for society-even
that of kind Lady Temple"
Every well. But Sibyl, don't get wild
ow's cap; shall hate to see you in it, and
it will cause such deal of talk. Besides, I
shall have to wait such long, long time, if
it gets abroad that your husband is only
just dead"
"Please don't talk of that" she answered
hurriedly, her face crimsoning. 'Its all so
strange and sad. will not wear widows
cap if you do not wish it; and I think it
will be better not, as you say. I do not
want to be talked about"
"Well, goodbye, then. If you do not
come up, I shall soon come down. I don't
feel as if l could lose sight of you for long
together. 1t is like waking from horrible
nightmare"
u He stopped and kissed her gently, and
was gone before she could speak. He had
just time to pack his clothes and drive to
the station, in order to catch the 1915 ex-
press, and reached London about six hours
later. The guard was considerably as.
tonished at receiving half-a-crown in return
for nothing but Geofrey felt inclined to
"tip" the whole world just then, and was
really oppressed with his deep sense of obli-
cation to John Lawrell for so kindly taking
himself out of the world just at the right
moment
''He really was a good-hearted fellow, I
fancy after ALL" he thought, as he jumped
into hanson. II wonder if he would like
me to put hondsome monument over his
grave? I'm sure I'd do it with pleasure
something heavy, to keep him safe, as some
body says somewhere. Poor fellow! What
a brute I am to talk SO! But it makes me
almost lightheaded to think that my darling
is free to marry me-that need not struggle
night and day to forget her" - -
He drove to the Palace Hotel, and in
quired if Mr.. Lenny was there. Yes, Mr..
Lenny was there, living like prince on
money that had lain in John Lawrells
pockets once. Mr.. Lenny was at dinner,
and sent word that he would be most happy
if Mr.. Chetwynd would join him at it; but
this Geoffrey declined, saying he would have
his dinner in the coffee-room and join Mr..
Lenny later He had no wish to dine at the
expense of any friend of Mr.. Lawrells, and
had his own suspicious as to the character
of this hospitable gentleman. Accordingly,
having ended his solitary meal-4and his
thoughts were pleasant enough to make his
own society very agreeable-he made his
way to Mr.. Lenny's room. That gentleman
still sat at the table, perhaps for want Of
something to do, slowly slipping his wine
though his flushed cheeks and heavy eyes
plainly showed that he had already taken
more than was good for him. He was
good-looking, gentlemany man Of about
forty, though his face was disfgured with
lines and seams, the signs of dissipated
life, and his hair was prematurely white.
"Take chair, my friend" he said, SOL
emnly "Sorry you would not join me at
dinner-always ready for friend or foe is
Dick Lenny Don't recognize your face at
all, so am anxious to know to which class
you belong" uotr.
Neither one nor the other replied Geof-
frey, taking chair, but refusing the wine
that the other pushed toward him. "This
is our first meeting, and will probably be
our last. merely came to get any particu-
lars you can give me of Mr. Lawrell's death,
as l understand you were with him."
Eyes, was with him-poor Jack!" re-
turned Mr.. Lenny, reflling his glass.
"What a night I had of it Worst fit Of
jumps ever saw. It ended in jump, too,
that ended Jack. Held him as long as 1
could, but he was too much for me, and be-
fore the waiter could get to him he was
across the room and out of the window.
Thought the waiter was the old Gentleman
come to fetch him."
ssWere his watch and ring and all he had
about him? His widow requested me to as
certain for her" said Geoffrey, trying to re-
press the disgust he felt for the man.
The other laughed.
ellis widow! All, remember Mrs. Law
rell Deuced pretty young thing she was,
but she left poor Jack-couldnt stand those
little attacks. Quite an amicable arrange
ment, believe, though never could under
stand his letting such pretty woman go so
easily. However, Jack hated bother
never saw fellow shirk every worry as he
did-and he kept her money, he told me.
Oh, the lawyer took everything he had
about him-old Gibbs, of Lincoln's Inn
Fields! He was here next day-heard of
the affair, as lawyers always do hear Of
everything g-took his effects, as they call it,
saw poor Jack, or tho smash that had been
Jack, rather, for he was awfully damaged
came down on his head-and saw to the fu.
neral and all the rest of it. You must go to
him for everything WORTH having"
"Thank you. That was all I wanted to
know" and Geoffrey rose, bowed and left
The room. "He'll sit there and drink till he
IS carried to bed," he thought, as he drove