The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-09-25

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 q. The astute Captain accept
ed the apology, but he nevertheless
made inquiries, which resulted in the
unpleasant discovery that Laxington had
lost over e5, 900 over the Ascot week,
and had been entirely unable to settle.
GA nice prospect for my Ell ,O00!"
mused 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 his conversation upon Miss Con-
stance.
Have you settled matters In that
quarter yet?" he inquired.
'Not yet," said his patron, dreamily;
'sbut I am thinking of taking the
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, eyeing
his friend maiiciously. "Why shouldn't
she? Must have wonderful digestion.
I couldn't do it myself"
"How horribly materialp groaned
Byng.
"Oh nonsense! You don't expect
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 Ill at ease; he played with
his lunch and maintained gloomy 81
1ence,
The season wore on, but Miss Lax
lngton'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 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 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 o drag to
Lords, not caring to add to the num-
| of 1o11,ol 4lo
match as an occasion for gormandizing,
Irritation and the display Of elaborate
costumes.
The day came. Lady Carraway 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 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 few minutes he clam
bered up to seat next to Miss Con-
stance. He was somewhat preocoupied
and silent, but this was easily accounted
for by the absorbing interest which he
evinced in the fortunes of the game.
Carbury watched him with some ankle
ty. Since their conversation on the
lobster salad question the lady's name
had been seldom mentioned between
them, and he began to fear that Byng's
marriage would really take place with
out any pecuniary advantage to him
self Presently, as the bell rang for the
luncheon interval, Byng left the drag,
and talked minute or two to his but
Ter Mr.. Corker This circumstance
somewhat aroused Carbury's wonder;
he could not imagine what Byng could
have to say so his retainer, for all ar
angements of the household were left in
the Captains own hands He failed,
however, to gather any information
always did things we'll, and in very
displayed every luxury which money
could buy or the mind of a man con-
ceive.
"Please forgive me if leave you,
said her host to Miss Lexington; IT
shall be back after the interval, and. in
the meantime, Captain CarburJ will, I
am sure, look after your wants."
Miss Laxington graciously assented,
and the air was soon filled with the
clatter of plates and the popping of
champagne corks. Throughout the
progress of the orgie Carbury kept his
eye upon the proceedings of the but
ler. He was anxious to find out the
meaning of the mysterious communi-
cation made by that worthy Byng.
Moreover, Corkeris movements were
decidedly singular. He seemed per-
petually at Miss Laxington's elbow;
now pressing on her attention some
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 captains curiosity at length ex-
hausted his patience. He watched his
opportunity, therefore, and came upon
Corker suddenly just as that individual
made an entry on the mysterious sheet.
4 NloA k.C L.