The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-19

80 ~ peoqnty = t1no ~ {
cell. Eressntl, q III u rSx M ~
luncheeo Interval, Byng u 10 Z n n
and talked 8 nAinut4 oe5 two - hi1 HI.
ilr Mr.. Cofker. This olfcunsta noo,
somewhat aroused Casbur1yIiS wonderi,
be could not imagine what byng could
have to ny % hts retainer, for Ill az
angsments q; che household were left IN
the Captains own hands. He tailed,
however, to gather any informatio2
from the butlers stolid visage. Byng
always did things we'll, and IN. very
short time table was spread on which
displayed every luxury which money
could lyty o. the mind Of man con-
ceive.
"Please forgive me il I leave you,s
said her host to Miss Lexington; II
shall be back after the interval, and, in
the meantime, Captain CarburJ will, ]
am sure, look after your wants."
Miss darlington graciously assented,
and she cir was soon filled with the
chatter Of plates and the popping Of
champagne corks. Throaghout the
progress Of the orgie Carbury kept his
eye upon the proceedings Of the but
Ter. He was anxious 70 find out the
meaning of the mysterious tomnuni.
cation made by that worthy Byng.
Moreover, Corkers movements we're
decidedly singular. he seemed per-.
petually At Miss LaIMgtens. elbow.
now pressing on her attention s6re
triumph Of Byng's chef, now filling her
glass with champagne, or piling up
her plate with. Strawberries. After
these little attentions he would retire
behind the drag and write something
down on piece Of paper.
The oaptain's curiosity at length OK.
hausted his patience. He watched his
opportunity, therefore, and came upon
Corker suddenly just as that individual
made, an entry on the mysterious sheet.
Wh& ore yorf up to?" 10 asked.
.Corker was nlomenfafify confused, but
he answered with dignity Il.
Tim making inventory, sir"
"What the deuce do you mean?"
"a hinwentory, sir by Mr.. Byngs
orders, responded the butler, somewhat
rufled.
The Captain paused o moment, IN
Thought: ft mig ht be important, this
piece Of paper. ssCome Corker," he
said,' "fet mo see. that paper and I'll
give you q sovereignln
Couldn't do it, sir, answered The
incorruptible Corker.
"Oh, we'll, hang it. I'll make i q
Mr.. Fefker .was not proof against the
extra inducement, anE So he handed
over the mysterious slip. -. ..
"What on earth-do you mean to say
your master told you to make this List p
The butler nodded.
well, I'm blessed! Oh, this is al.
together Zoo loye1yi Hero, I'll keep il
for BIT; Won't he open bis eyes when
Byng did not r req until very
shortly before stumps were drawn for.
tho day, and he made lame excuse for
his long absence. Carbury, rs it hap
pencd, did not see him again till late in
the evening, when lie found him in o
state of great mental perturbation, por-
ing over shall sheet of paper, on which
certain hieroglyphics we're scrswlad in
pencil:
"What's the matter 2" cried the Gap.
tain; you look awf,llly bad"
My hopes are shattered" said Byng,
in dismal voice; ''my fondest Illusions
have boom rudely dissipated; the dream
il over"
"What ara you talking about?"
Look ut this" answered The philos.,
pher in lis most tragic tones, Carbury
took tho paper and read:
Two platefuls mayonnaise, 2 ditto
P.rigord pie, l ditto lobster salad, 2
quails in aspic, 8 meringues glasses, 6
glasses champagne, 3helpings strawber-
ries and cream, 2 ices. glass Of liquor
brandy:
well, what is it? 1t reads like q
MENU"
ut is the disgusting record of the
gu2zling propcnsities of Miss Laxing.
ton. j ordered Corker to keep count,
for after what YOU saw at Ascot I s1is:
pected her of materialisnl-even of SEN
suality-and my worst fears are con.
firmed!"
"And you mean to say you won't
marry her because she likes good
lunch?"
"Nevet would I link my fate to one so
welded to tho grossest pleasures! ]
shall start for Palestine tomorrow
morning. You must come, 90 get
ready. Good night"