, 1884-09-11


Mr.. Corisr, This circumstance somewhat
aroused Carbury's wonder; he could not in-
agine what Byng could have to say TO his
retainer, for all Arrangements Of the house
bold were left In the captains own hands
he failed, however, to gather any informn
ton from the buffers stolid visage Byng
always did things vol and In n very short
time a table was spread on which was dis
played every luxury which money could buy
or the mind of man conceive.
please forgive mo IL L leave you" said hsr
host 10 Miss darlington; II ahall be bach
after the Interval, and In the meantime Capt.
Carbury Will l am sure. look altar your
wants-"
Miss Lexington grasiously assanted, and
the air was soon lie with the clatter OF
plates and tho popping OF champagne corkz
Throughout the progress OF the orgis Car
bury kept an eye upon the proceedings Of
the but,er. He was anxious 10 find out the
meaning of the mysterious communication
made 20 that worthy by Byng. Moreover,
Corker's movements wore decidedly singular.
He seemed porpetually at Miss ~Laxington's
elbow; now pressing on her attention some
triumph Of Byng's chef; how filing her
glass with champagne or pning up her plate
with strawberrlet After these little ntten-
tons hs would retirs behind the drag and
write something dowu on a pioce OF paper.
The captains curiosity at length exhausted
his patience. he watched his opportunity,
therefore, and camo upon Corker suddenly
just as TINT Individual made an entry on the
mysterious she3t.
Awhat are you up tor he asked. Corker
was momentarily confused, but he answered,
with dignity:
@rm making a b~inwentory, sir"
AWhat the deuce do YOU meanl"
"A hinwentory. sir, by Mr.. Byng's orders,n
responded the butler, somewhat ruined. The
captain paused a moment in thought II
might be important, his piecc Of paper.
@coms, Corker, he said, "lst morsee hat pa
per. and Ill give you a sovereign"
Couldn't do 1t, sir" answered tho incor-
ruptibls Corker.
-Oh, well, hang 1t, I'll make 1t a fverl"
Mr.. Corker was not proof against the extra
Inducement, and so handed over the mystic
1ous slip.
What on earth-Do you mean to.say your
master told you to mako this listl7
The butler nodded.
well. I'm blessed Oh, this is altogether
too lovely Here, III keep 1t for a bit Won't
he open his eyes when he sees itP'
Byng did not reappoar until very shortly
before stumps wero drawn for the day,
and he made but a lama excuse for
bis long absence. Carbury. as it happened.
did not see him again till late in the
evening. when he found him In a state OF
great mental perturbation, porting over q
small sheet Of noto paper, on whish certain
hieroglyphics wore scrawled In pencil-
@Wha "a the matterf' cried the captain;
4you look awfully bad
MY hopes are shattered" said Byng, in q
dismal voice; "my fondest nlusions have
been rudely dissipated; tho dream IS over"
what arc you talking about"
sLook at this " answered tho philosopher In
his most tragic tones. Carbury took the pa
per and read:
1.-TWO platofuls m~ayonnaise, two ditto peri
CORD pie, one ditto lobster salad,
two quails In aspic, three m~eringues glaces,
six glassss champagne, three helpings straw
berries and cream, two ICES, ono glass Of
liquer brandy
well, what Is itf It reads like a menu"
ut Is the disgusting record of the guzzling
propensities OF Miss Lexington l ordered
Corker to keep count, for after what you saw
at Ascot 1 suspected her OF materialism-
even of sensualty-and my worst fears are
conarmediH
And you mean TO Eay you won't marry
her because she likes q good lunch
Never would l link my fate to one 50
welded TO the grossest pleasuresl l shall
start for Palestine tomorrow morning. You
must come; so get ready. G~ood-niZhtF