The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-22

bert, with sudden emotion. "As fol
Boulger, you knew him at his best. I've
no dou bt he would have been a better
man if others had thought as kindly OF
him as you seem to. Hullo! there's the
gong"
Carlyon found a seat placed for him
next to Cuthbert at the diuner table.
Somehow he seemed to have become sud
denly intimate with his old school-fellow
whose cordial manner contrasted strangely
with his reserve of tho previous cay.
Cuthbert opened his heart to Carlyon,
speaking freely of his contrition for the
fault which had led to his exile. and his
hopes of regaining the good opinion OF
his friends. As though relieved by these
condolences, his spirit rose during the
meal, although his gayety may have
been partly owing to the wine, which cir
culated freely. Carlyou could not help
noticing that Cuthbert replenished his
glass rather frequently and when move
was made for the billiard-room, his gait
was decidedly unsteady.
Cuthbert took leading part in the
conversation which ensued over the
soothing weed. He was inclined to be
noisy, and Carlyon fancied Sir Lambert
looked grave. He had plenty of stories
to tell of his sporting adventures out in
the bush, which were related in some
what boastful vein. After awhile the
talk turned on the subject of poaching,
and Cuthbert related an anecdote OF an
amateur poaching expedition in which he
had taken part during the old days at
Elton.
why, Carlyon, you must recollect
that" he said, turning round quickly.
"You were there, Of course.
Eyes, I was there" returned Carlyon,
with puzzled expression, and for the
rest of the evening he was silent and
thoughtful.
When the party broke up Carlyon fol-
lowed Cuthbert into his bedroom, which
adjoined his own.
Can l speak to you minute?' he
said, closing the door
Certainly, old fellow; fire away" re-
turned Cuthbert; still in high good
humor.
"Apropos of that poaching expedition
at Lord KS" said Carlyon. II
recollect it perfectly but you weren't
there. Boulger was my companion.
II know" replied Cuthbert, looking
slightly Disconnected. ut was very good
of you not to split on me, old boy. When
1 get into vein for story telling 1 can't
be strictly accurate. 1t was Boulger's
story; but he told it to me often, and l
have got into the habit of believing l
wss there myself. Peccavi, old chap!
Don't stand staring there as though l
had robbed church. You were always
inclined to be straitlaced, Frank. Have
a sup before you turn in. 1 can recon-
mend this. 1t will make your hair
curl"
CuthbeT. had risen unsteadily to his
feet and unlocked small cupboard over
the fire. place, from which he produced
spirit case. He filed wine-glass with
brandy and offered it to Carlyon.
"No, thanks" said Carlyon, shortly.
I'se had as much as is good for me.
Goodnight"
Something in Canyons tone seemed
to have SOLDERING effect on Cuthbert
Raymond, for he put down the glass he
was raising to his lips, and looked Keen
ly at his friend, who had turned to leave
the room. He made q movement Us
though to intercept him, but, checking
himself. he returned Canyons Good
nightr' rather defantly and tossed off the
dram.
Carlvon returned to his room in a very
disturbed state of mind. His chief un-
easiness at the moment arose from the
discovery that Cuthbert kept private
store of spirits a sure sign OF a confirmed
tippler. He now understood the cause
of Sir Lambert's constrained manner
when speaking of his nephew's future
prospects, and felt sorry for the old man,
as we'll as for Cuthbert himself. But
when be came to think over the events OF
the day he was very mach struck by the
apparently trifing condolences which
had wildly reminded him of Boulger.
Was it really possible that, from close
intercourse, one man would produce I'M
consciously the mannerisms and peculiar
gestures of another? Carlyon would
not. perhaps, have thought there was
anything extraordinary in this, had he
not been startled by the story which
Cuth bert had told in the billiard room.
From his manner of telling it Carlyon
could not believe he was relating some
thing at second-hand-yet 1t was certain
ly Boulge,, and not Cuthbert, who was
his companion in the enterprise.
But what was the inference 10 be gath
cred from these uneasy cogitations? That
the man in the next room was Boulger,
and that it was Cuthbert who had died
abroad? Putting the question TO him
self calmly in these words, Carlyon
laughed at the absurdity of such an
idea. Sir Lambert might surely be
Trusted to know his own nephew, and
4 Il M nj