Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-10

other night, and who consider 1t dlstln-
guished to be fast, are reported to have
lost thousands of dollars to the Count, and
Philip Royden is rumored to be sufferer.
fancy that Barigues would have been
openly accused of cheating, if he hadn't the
reputation Of being crack shot. They say
that he is certain candle-snufer at twenty
PAGES"
Bat it is not necessary to fight duel
with him, Archer, if he plays false. Duels
are out of fashion, you know, in New
York. That folly is chiefly confined to
the South"
Fortunately it is, Goodwin. But
duels still occur here occasionally, and
not few of the members of the Rensselaer,
pride themselves on their allegiance to the
code. They think it is European. Two
or three duels that made quite stir at the
time have been fought within few years
by members of the Rensselaer,; and
ridiculous as they were, the principals and
seconds were very proud of the part they
enacted"
"To 90 back to Barigues, have been
trying to find cut, Archer, how he has
gained a position in New York society.
So far as 1 can gather, each person
seems to have accepted him because
somebody else had accepted him. No one
appears to actually know much of him.
The basis he stands on is the Roydens.
He is continually spoken of as their friend,
and their connection with him, or his con.
nection with them, is unaccountable."
81 have often heard that he brought
letters OF introduction from some of the
very best people abroad, and that there is
no question of his rank, his family or his
entirely honorable antecedents. But one
can never depend on what one hears.
Whatever Barigues' character may be,
there can be no doubt that he is extremely
shrewd, and, in his way, thoroughly &C.
complished.'
81 agree with you, Archer; and I've
made up my mind to one thing: Pu.
going to hunt up Barigues' record, if pos
sible, provided the bond by which he
seems to hold Margaret Royden is unnatu-
raj and vicious"
g How are you to find that out, pray
It is easier to say it than to do it, Oscar. y
So From the lady herself"
"The attempt, Oscar, would be auda-
cious, and success dubious"
"Tve reflected on all that. I've lain
awake night after night turning the matter
over in my mind. I'm resolved to trust
my instincts. I'm absolutely convinced
that Margaret Royden needs true friend,
as few women have needed one and l in
tend to offer my services"
"Good, Oscar. l don't believe you'll
blunder. And let me say, if you want any
help in this enterprise-a trile romantic, ]
confess-you can count on me. 1 think
you know something about women, al
though, or rather because, you're not for
ever telling the public that you know them,
as Yardley is.
Tomorrow evening I expect to call on
Miss Royden, and if chance favor, I'll be
wiser when leave her than l am at pres
ent."
"Lat me know at once, my dear boy,
how YOU come out. I'm getting deeply
interested myself in this affair. 1 don't
| know bu5 1 should fall in love with the
| fair Margaret myself, were I not such a
believer in loyalty to friends. Well,
must leave you. I'm engaged for round
of gayety tonight I'm really getting to
be very dissipated,
They separated. Archer walked of
briskly in the sharp air-there was snoB
on the ground-over to the east side, and
into Avenue A. He then entered e
wretched tenement, where he had pa.
tient. a poor old woman. of whom
he had accidentally heard. He had
been attending her professionally for a
week for typhoid fever, and as there was
TO be crisis that night, he had decided
to stay until morning. He found the men
| and women en- the same floor doing, with
| native kind-heartednesz, all they could for
the sufferer, though their zeal was often
misdirected. He organized the benevolent
forces by reducing them sent a messenger
out with $40 note to purchase some
necessary supplies; difused sense Of
! cheerfulnesa through the noisome rooms,
and took his place at the bedside.
At s o'clock in the morning he
told the old woman's daughter that
her mother would recover with proper
care, and took his departure, slip
ping S. note into her hand. It was a
murky morning, and though the sun had
been up three-quarters of an hour, there
was not sign of it. As he trudged along
through the filthy, ill-smelling street, he
yawned, with his handkerchief over his
mouth, to keep out the foul air, and said
to himself, "These rounds of gaYety tell
| on a fellow. But this sort of thing is
awfully jolly, compared with dancing the
German. The women I've just left aren't
quite SO fragrant or SO well.dressed, but
they're more genuine.
The thought suddenly flashed upon him,
would Margaret Royden approve of
| thiss Poor Margaret! It is strange that
it never occurred to me, until Goodwin put
| it forward, that she might be the Iphigenia
of a nineteenth century tragedy. Hes
quicker.witted than l. But love gave Linn
insight. My feeling is Capitalization.
Yes, that must be it; for it makes me feel
at times confoundedly uncomfortable.
Lucky fellow, Goodwin, to have got the
start of me.
While he was breakfasting at the club,
some one remarked: bad sign, doctor +;
out all night.
Eyes" he answered, Every bad. l
| must reform"
CHAPTER VIII.
TRUSTING HIS INSTINCTS.
The twenty-four hours between the hotel
dinner to which Goodwin had invited
Archer and his visit to Miss Royden