National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-23

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enced, she was clever girl and very
soon discovered tho pet weakness of her
admirer. In fact, by tho timo he loft the
house he began TO think that Carbury was
man of unusual discrimination, and
that no might really take into consdora-
ton the prospect Of following his matri-
monial advice. Miss Lexington was
charmingly unsOphisticated, aud at
tho same time no thought he
could discover In her indications of
the possession of soul--that Is to say, of
disposition to appreciate his gonius and
to share his philosophical ycarnings with
out any symptoms of boredom. SO for n
fow weeks everything went we'll Byng
was obviously fascinated, and without
being too conspicuous in his attentions no
followed MISS I,axington's movements
with considerable persistence, and monop-
olized her society whenever they met,
| Suitors of the detrimental typo accord
ingly dropped of in despair, aud the
engagement was looked upon by the
quidnuncs OF society as practically
accomplished fact.
Ascot drew near and Byng invited
Lady Carraway and her fair charge to
share his box and drag for tho meeting
This was for him very unusual step, for
he generally left tho selection and tho
entertainment Of his guests to the indo-
fatigable man of-all- work.
Carbury therefore saw that matters were
reaching critical juncturo, 30 he thought
1t advisable to mako n few inquiries about
tho pocuniary position Of Mr.. Lexington.
He did not succeed In hearing much.
Lexington had been losing somewhat
heavily on tho turf, but he had paid up;
and in tho matter of cards no did not
seem to have been doing either any good
or harm. So Carbury felt for the present
no particular anxiety about his little
commission and was satisfied TO lot the
course of his patrons love affair run as
smooth rs might be.
Ascot came and won't; Byng was lam
guidly assiduous in his devotion TO Miss
Lexington, whilo the young lady, per-
fectly dressed, conscious of looking lovely,
and fully aware Of the envy, hatred and
malice which her good fortune stirred up
in tho bosoms Of her fair rivals. never
enjoyed herself moro thoroughly or ex-
cited more admiration. With the captain,
however, things went somewhat badly.
He betted rathor heavily than usual, and
lost his money and his tomper. Byng
bored him terribly, and he grew irrltatod
| by Miss Laxington's exceeding sweet
ness. He sought consolation in creature
which would infallibly have aroused his
patrons disgust if that gentleman had
not been too much occupied to notice
| him.
Monday night found Capt. Carbury at
the Lawn cnb. He had paid up his
losses with some difficulty and felt irrita-
Bile and dyspeptic. He saw darlington
there and IL occurred to him that no
might as we'll find out If that gentleman's
luck had been any better than his own.
darlington seemed anything but pleased
to meet him, and responded to his friendly
greeting with the curtest of mods.
"By the way, old man." began Carbury.
as plan of action occurred to him, II
want to ask you favor"
Lexington was evidently in q vile
temper.
you've como to the wrong shop for
that, my boy |" he sneered.
Had bad week, suppose" said the
captain, quite unmoved. "Well, 1 was
going to ask you to lend me f500 only for
week; fact is, I've been rather hard hit.
Besides. you will owe me more than that
in fortnight, fancy. That little affair
Of ours may BIO settled any day."
II can't lend you $500" growled Lax
ington, "or 500 pence either; and as to
what you call our little affair, l have no
idea what you're driving at"
what the deuce do you mean? Didn't
you promise me al thousand on the day
your daughter got engaged to Byngf"
NO" answered darlington, Il never
did anything Of the sortW
"Why, I've got your l o UW
every likely; there are good many of
them flying about. Wish you may get
your money"
Carbury stared at his friend in disgust
and amazement. He could not, however,
express his opinion of him in the sacred
precincts of club. SO he merely got up
with curt good night" and left the
room.
That's your name, is itP" he muttered
to himself. "I'll be even with you yet
It's not quite such certainty as you
think"
Tho next morning darlington evidently
came to the conclusion that he had made
fool of himself over night. for he called
on the captain and explained to him that
he did not mean what he said. He had a
devil of temper, he added, and things
had been annoying him. OF course 1t
was all right about the / o u. The
astute captain accepted the apology. but
he nevertheless made certain inquiries,
which resulted in the unpleasant dis
covery that Lexington had lost $4,000
over the Ascot week, and had been en-
tirely unable to settle.
"a nice prospect Tor my 81, DOOR" unused
tho captain; "but what a fool he was to
show his hand"
That day Mr.. Byng and his factotum
lunched together alone, and the latter
turned the conversation upon Miss Con-
stance.
Have you settled matters in that quar-
ter yeti" he inquired.
"Not yet" said his patron, dreamily;
"but l am thinking Of taking the
plunge"
'What are you waiting for?" Charm
ing girl! No nonsense about her. Likes
good feed. too. Saw her eat three plate
fuls of lobster salad on the cup day"
"Three platesfull of lobster salad?'
cried Byng
Certainly" said the captain, eyeing
his friend maliciously. "Why shouldn't
she? Must have wonderful digestion.
couldn't do it myself"
"How horribly material" groaned
Byng.
well-grown young woman of 8 feet 2
inches to live on air, do your"
This is not q subject for joking" said
Byng, severely, and the captain ventured
no further. But the philosopher was
obviously i'll at case. He played with his
lunch and maintained gloomy silence
The season wore on, but Miss Laxing-
toms engagement was not yet announced.
People began to hint that it would not
come of after all. Lady Carraway grow
anxious, and other fond matrons took
heart once again and cherished fond hopes
that tho prize of tho matrimonial market
might yet fall to an outsider. Miss Lax
ington herself, however, was in no way
disquieted. Her admirer was, perhaps,
less attentive. but his was not ma
ture capable of enthusiastic devo.
ton. She met him constantly and
could not fairly accuse him of any def
mite neglect; she and Lady Carraway
were often seen upon his drag, and Byng
Ia. ,itl. thnnn hntl To ncrnn,nnn,r lin, -