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

doing either any good or harm. So
Carbufy felt for thepresant no particu-
tarsnxiety. about his little commission,
and was saasHedt6 let the course Of his
patrons love affair run d Fms06tif III
might bs.
Ascot came and went; Dyng was Lam
guidly asslduous in his devotion to Miss
darlington, 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 tbs bcs9as Of
her, fair: rivals; never enjoyed her
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 he gov itritssedby, Mig Lszins.
tons exceeding sweetness. Hss6ught
consolation in creature comforts, and
ate and drank to an extent which would
infallibly have aroused his patrons dis
gust, If 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 saY
Lexington there, and it occurred to him
that he 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 greetings with the curtest
Of mods:
by the way, old man. began Gar:
bury, as a plan of action occurred to him;
u want to ask you O favor.nn ;,
darlington was evidently in vile
temper.
you've come to the wrong shop for
that. my boy!" he sneered.
"Had bad week, 1 suppose" said
the Captain quite unmoved. "Well, I
was going to ask you to lend me 95OO,
only for week; fact is, I have been
rather hard Lit. Beside, you'll owe me
more than that in fortnight. I fancy.
That little affair of ours may DO settled
any day."
Il can't lend you $780," growled Lux
ington, COR 500 pence either; and as to
what you call our little affair; 1 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?"
"No," answered Lexington; II never
did anything of the sort!"
why, I've got your o u"
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. SO lie merely
got up with a curt good night," and
left the room.
That's your game, is it?" lie NUT
tered to himself. I'll be even with you
yet. It's not quite such a certainty as
you think"
The next morning Lexington evident
~ caIle 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 devil of temper, he
added, and things had been annoying
him., OF course it was all right about
the I o U. The asttite Captain accept
ed the apology, but he nevertheless
made inquiries, which resulted in the
unpleasant discovery that Lexington had
lost over e5, 600 over the Ascot week,
and had been entirely unable to settle.
"A nice prospect for my G1,OOO!"
unused the Captain; "but what fool he
was to show his hand"
That day Mr.. Byng and his factctum
lunched together, alone, and the latter
turned his conversation upon Miss Con-
stance.
Have you settled matters ir. that
quarter yet?" lie inquired.
"Not yet, !" said his patron, dreamily;
sbut am thinking of taking tho
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 platefuls of lobster salad ?"
cried Byng.
certainly" said the Captain, cycling
his friend maliciously. "Why shouldn't
she? Must have a wonderful digestion.
I couldn't do it myself"
"How horribly materialw groaned
Byng.
"Oh nonsensei You don't expect a
well-grown young woman of five feet
seven incees to live upon air, do you!
".This is not subject for joking" said
Byng severely, and the Captain ven
tured no further. But the philosopher
was obviously i'll at ease; he played with
his lunch and maintained gloomy 81
lence,
The season wore on, but Miss Lax
1ngton's engagement was not announced.
People began to think that it would not
come off after all. Lady Carraway grew
anxious, and other fond matrons took
heart once again and cherished fond
hopes that the prize Of the matrimonial
market might yet fall to an outsider.
Miss Lexington herself however, was in
no way disquieted. Her sdmirer was
perhaps less attentive, but his was not o
nature capable of enthusiastic devotion.
She met him constantly, and could not
fairly accuse him of any definite neg
lect; she and Lady Carraway were often
seen upon his drag, and Byng invited
them both to accompany him to Eton
and Harrow match. This special mark
of favor did much to reassure her Lady
ship for Byng had often told her that,
though he was particularly fond Of
cricket, he had never taken q drag to
Lords, not caring to add to the num-
Der of people who looked upon the
match as an occasion for gormandizing,
Irritation and the display of elaborate
costumes. ."
The day came. Lady Carraway and
hor 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 o few male friends.
Byng, as the Captain explained was
watching the game from the roof of the
pavilion, and had left word that he was
to be sent for as soon as his fair friends
had arrived.
A footman was accordingly dispatched
for him, and in q few minutes he clam
bered up to o seat next to Miss Con-
stance. He was somewhat preoconpied
and silent, but this was easily accounted
for by the absorbing interest which he
evinced in the fortunes Of the game.
lCarbury watched him with some ankle
| ~. Since their conversation on tho