Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-09-04

ingly dropped of In despair, and the engage
ment 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 the meeting. This was for
him a very unusual step, for he generally
left tile selection and the entertainment OF
his guests to the ndefatigable nan-of all
work.
CArbury therefore saw that matters were
reaching critical juncture, 80 he thought It
advisable to make few inquiries about tho
pecuniary position Of Mr. Lexington. He
did not succeed in hearing much. LaKington
had been losing somewhat heavily On tho
turf, but he had paid up; and in the matter
Of cards he did not seem 10 have been doing
either any good Of harm So Carbusy fsls
for the present no particular anxiety about
his ktsle commission, and was satis6sd 70 let
tho course OF his patrons love affair run ~
smooth as might be.
Ascot came and went Byng waslanguidly
assiduous in his devotion to Miss Laxington,
while the young lady, perfectly dressed, con-
scious 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 hersek moro thor
oughly or excited more admiration. With
the captain, however, things went somewhat
badly. He bettcd rather heavier than usual
and lost his money and his temper. Byng
bored him terribly, and he grew irritated by
Miss Laxington's exceeding sweetness He
sought consolation in creature comforts and
ate and drank to an extent which would In
fallibly have aroused his patrons disgust II
that gentleman Rad not been too much oc-
cupied to notice him.
Monday night found Capt. Carbury at tho
Lawn club. He had paid up his losses, with
some difficulty. and felt irritable and dys-
peptic. He saw Laxington there and 1t oc-
CURED to him that he might as we'll find out
IL that gentleman's luck had been any bottcr
than hts own
IAxinston 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
a plan Of action occurred to him, Il want to
ask you a favor"
Laxtngton was evidently In vile temper
you've come to the wrong shop for that,
my boy!' he sneered.
1
tain, quite unmovcd. "Well, l was going tn
ask you to lend me 500 pounds 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 be settled any day"
Il can't lend you 800 pounds sterling,"
growled Lexington, "or 500 pence either; and
a. to what you call our little affair, have
no idea what you're driving at"
"What the deuce do you meant Didn't
you promise me a thousand on the day your
daughter got engaged to Byngl"
NO. answered Laxington, Il never did
anything of the sort!"
AWhy, I've got your o U!'
-Very 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 toe sacred precincts OF
q club, so he merely got up with curt good
night" and left tho room
That's your game, is itr he muttered to
himself I'm be even with you yet. It's
not quite such certainty Us you think"
The next morning Iaxinkton evidently
came to tho 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 devil Of .
temper, he added, and things had been an
noying him. or course 1t was all right about
the . U. The astute captain ao-
cepted the apology, but he never
theless made certain inquiries, which
resulted in tho unpleasant dis-
covery that Laxington had lost 5000 pounds
sterling over tho Ascot week, and been en-
tisely unable to settle.
"A nice prospect for my 1000 pounds ster-
lingr musei the captain; "but what fool
he was to show his hand.'
That day Mr. Byng and his factotum
lunched together alone. and the latter turned
the convsr.ation upon Miss Constance.
"Have you settled matters In tlat quarter
yetr be inquired.
.Not yet" said his patron dreamiiy; but
ON thinking Of taking the plunge
what arc you waiting fori Charming
Rirl! No nonsense about her. Likes good
feed, too Saw her eat three platesful OF lob
ster salad on, the cup day
Three patesful Of lobster salad" cried
Byng.
Certainly" said tho captain, cycling his
friend malicio,,sly. why shouldn't shell
Must have wonderful digestion. l couldn't
do it myself
allow horribly material" groaned Byng.
"Oh, nonsense. You don't expect we'll
grown young woman of five feet seven inches
to live on or, do your"
This is not n subject for joking, said Byng
severely, and the captain ventured no further.
but the philosopher was obviously at ease; he
~. III n
gloomy silence
The season wore on, but Miss Iaxington's
engagement was not yet announced. People
began to hint that 1t would not come
otT after all Lady Carraway grew
heart once again and cherished fond hopes
that the prize of the matrimonial marx
might vet fall to an outsider. Miss Laxington
herself, however, was in no way di auieted
Her admirer was, perhaps, less attentive, but
his was not nature capable of enthusiastic
devotion. She met him constantly. and
could not fairly accuse him Of any definite
neglect; she and Lady Carraway were often
seen upon his drag, and Byng invited them
both to accompany him to the Eton and
Harrow match This special mark Of favor
did much to reassure her ladyship, for Byng
had often told her that though he was par
ticularly fond Of cricket he ha never taken
o drag to lords, not caring to add to the
number Of ref pie who looks upon the match
merely as all occasion for gormandizing,
Irritation and tho display OF elaborate cos
tunes.
The day came Lady Carrawny and her
charge had been instructed to be on the
ground in good time for lunch, so they made
their appearance shortly after o'clock. The
drag was tenanted only by Carbury and
few male friends. Byng, as the captain ex-
planned, was watching the game from the