The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-05

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Y r. 44tsla
NUMBER s..
in his usual lsnguid manner; ''Bat how
about the father1s
"Oh. Laxingtons al right; CANDLES
and races . bit, bnt hs always settles,
and hss never been caught cheating.
What more can you expect nowadaysf
Byng WAS obviously impressed BY the
probity Of his father-in-lsw in posse.
I'M call on Lady Carraway." he an
swered; and the subject dropped.
Byng duly vitited Her Ladyship, who
was naturally delighted TO see him, and
he made himself exceedingly agreeable
to the fair Constance. That young lady
Heightened the favorable impression
she had already made on him, for, al
though inexperienced, she was q clever
girl, and very soon discovered the pet
weakness of her admirer. In iact, by
the time lie left the house he began ia
think that Carbury was . man Of un-
usual discrimination, and that he might
really take into consideration the pros
pect Of his matrimonial advice. Miss Lax.
ington was charmingly unsopoisticated,
and ct the Same time he thought he
could discover in her indications Of a
soul-that is to say, of disposition to
appreciate his genius, and TO share his
philosophical yearnings without any
symptoms Of boredom. So for few
weeks everything went we'll. Byng was
obviously facinated, and, without being
too conspicuous in his attentions, he
followed Miss Laxington's movements
with considerable persistence, and
monopolized her society, whenever they
met. Suitors of the detrimental type
accordingly drpped off in despair, and
the engagement was looked upon by
the quidnuncs of society as . practical.
ly accomplished fact.
Ascot drew near, and Byng invited
Lady Carraway and her fair charge ia
share his box and drag for the meeting.
This was for him very unusual step, for
he generally left the selection and the
entertainment of his guests ts the in
defatigable man-of-all work.
Carbury therefore saw that matters
were reaching critical juncture, 20 lie
thought it advisable to make few in.
quiries about the pecuniary position Of
Mr.. darlington. He did not succeed in
hearing much. Lexington had been
losing somewhat heavily on the turf,
but lie had paid up; and in the matter
OF cards he did not seem to have been
doing either any good or harm. So
Carbury felt for the present no particu-
lar anxiety about his little commission
and was satisfied to let the course of his
patrons love affair run as smooth o.
might he.
Ascot came and went; Byng was Ian
guidly assiduous in his devotion to Miss
Laxington, while 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 the bosoms OF
her fair rivals, never enjoyed her
self more thoroughly or excited
more admiration. With the Cap
tain however, things went somewhat
badly. He betted rather more heavily
than usual, and lost his money and his
temper. Byng bored him terribly,
and lie grew irritated by Miss Laxing-
tons exceeding sweetness. He sought
consolation in creature comforts, and
ate and drank to an extent which would
infallibly have aroused his patrons dis
gust, il that gentleman had not been too
much occupied to notice it.
Monday night found Captain Car
bury at the Lawn Club. He had paid
up his losses with some difficulty, and
felt irritable and dyspeptic. He saw
Laxington there, and it occurred to him
that lie might as we'll find out if that
gehtleman's luck had been any better
than his own.
Laxington seemed anything but
pleased to meet him, and responded to
his friendly greetings with the curtest
of mods.
"By the way, old man, began Car
bury, as q plan of action occurred to him,
II want to ask you favor"
darlington was evidently in vile
temper.
you've come to the wrong shop for
that. my boyl" he sneered.
Had bad week, suppose" said
the Captain quite unmoved. "Well,
was going to ask you to lend me E5OO,
only for o week; fact is, have been
rather hard hit. Beside, you'll owe me
more than that in . fortnight, I fancy.
That little affair of ours may he settled
any day."
Il can't lend you s50O," growled Lax
ington, "or 800 pence either; and as to
what you call our little affair, I have no
idea OF what you are driving at"
"What the deuce do you mean :? Didn't
you promise me thousand on the day
your daughter got engaged to Byng? 2"
"No," answered Laxington, II never
did anything of the sort"
"Why, I've got your o o."
Every likely: there are good many
of them flying about. Wish you may
get your money!"
Carbury stared at his friend in disgust
and amazament. He could not, how
ever, express his opinion of him in the
sacred precincts of club. 80 he merely
got up with curt goodnight" and
left the room.
That's your game, is it?" he NUT
tered to himself. I'll be even with you
yet. It's not quite such certainty as
you think"
The next morning darlington evident
ly cane 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
sa,d. He had devil Of temper, he
added, and things had been annoying
him. OF course it was all right about
the l o U. The astute Captain accept
ed the apology, but he nevertheless
made inquiries, which resulted in the
unpleasant discovery that Laxington had
lost over f5, 600 over the Ascot week,
and had been entirely unable to settle.
"A nice prospect for my 81 ,OOO!"
unused the Captain; "but what fool he
was to show his hand"
That day Mr.. Byng and his factctum
lunchM together, alone, and the latter