Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-12

say it's no affair of mine. II that's your taste,
enjoy it in the DEVILS name"
Had Lund only been content TO let the mat
ter stop here all might have been well. But
there was a vague flavor OF insinuation in what
Austen had said; 1t gradually forced its way way,
misgiving into the hot current of his thoughts.
He struggled against it for awhile, but, after all
| IL is difficult to stand firm upon mere intui-
| tion-to make ones future pivot upon a dream.
! On the other hand the more convinced he was
of being in the right the less danger was there
not wiser to dare to face the worst that could be
| said against IL?
between us about Miss Lambert" said he.
| Il tell you, exclaimed Austen, tossing his
hands in his POCKETS II wash my hands Of il.
! If you're the sort OF a fellow who has an appe-
| tile for other mems leavings-well, it's nothing
Lund stepped up to him with his eyes glow
| ing. You will either swallow those words or
"I'll do neitherr' retorted Austen, dogeedly
~ Know better than TO try to save mailman.
Manage the business to suit yourself, and don't
"You said something about tother mems leav-
| ings'-"
Well what 4 1 dido My leavings, If that
"Now-be CAREFUL said Lund, in a whisper.
Austen laughed. "rhis is all very tragic" he
said. ''but, upon my word, it's more absurd than
who were good friends five minutes ago, glazing
at each others Threats because of good-for-
|
AS soon as you come to your proper senses you'll
laugh as much as do. Holy wars, man! Can't
Wouldn't betray the giri's secret without good
reason for 1t; there are five hundred Marys in
this town, and the story told you just now
might have applied as well to one as another,
so far as you could ever have known. But you
have taken. as luck would have It, the one
| identity her; and only wish I'd taken You to
Lands End or the middle Of the English chan
mel instead Of bringing you here!''
rQot md nj nod hi 10
lips. Austen said he, "you are either telling
me the truth or you are telling the most das,
a lie, 1 can never know i'll can never prove it
| on you. So ask You once more-and remem.
Der that what you say shall belieye-I ask you
| to tell me, yes or no, is Mary Lambert an hon.
| est girl or nOt?'
Austen began to dislike his position He had
not supposed that Lund was in such deadly
earnest. He had intended merely to throw out
an inuendO which would answer all PURPOSES
and do no particular harm. To be forced to de-
pected ard disagreeabie. But standing there
with Lund's eyes fixed upon his face he felt
onat mere was no escape; he must say either
for him to be man enough, by accepting the
lesser shame. to be free from the greater, but he
was not equal to the test.
it-no.'
There was silence. Lund was very pale, his
eyes became dull and contracted and he turned
his head vaguely first one way and then
another. Finally, however, he contrived to
ludicrOus If ii had not been chastity and stretch
ing out his hand caught that of Austen in a
hard grippe.
I'm much indebted to you" he said: "greatly
Indebted, and We had a lesson / shan't forget.
WAS certainly "a great fool. not only Us regards
that woman in particular, but all the supersti-
ton and sentiment and silly credulty about
signs and onens, which I'm afraid I've been
Examining down your throat the last few days.
But i cured. I'm cured finally and COM
pletely, and owe it to you. So propose my
boy, that we celebrate my return to sahity by
emptying another bottle, and then shall put
myself under your experienced guidance and
we'll find what sort of fun this old town can
give u.s."
I'm your man." replied Austen. who in
deed, felt the need of some sort of activity to
recuperate his spirits; "but don't wait to drink
the wine here. Put on your hat and come with
| out, and meet halt a dozen other jolly fellows
selfr'
VIII.
The next day, about the middle of the fore
moor, Austen and Lund re-entered the court
yard of the inn arm-in-arm. The former was a
trifie unsteady on his legs but Lund, to all
appearance, was in the fuii possession of his
senses, though there was peculiar dry bright.
ness In his eyes, and a nervousness of move
ment that indicated his having passed a sleep
less night. Both men looked rather dishev-
eied, and Austen, at least, was obviously very
sleepy.
The suave and unexceptionable Horkins met
them at the entrance with an indulgent smile.
"Ah, gentlemen, that was 'ardly treating us
right TO be hoff in such an Jury and me on
my way To the cellar after that bottle of Vol
nay. Hut know how 1t is, pleasure is pleas
| ure, aud young gentlemen will be yonno Cen
tlemen all the world hover. What will you ave
| To your breakfast gentemen-soft-boiled eggs
aSt-coftee-chOps-'
Bring some strong coffee for Mr.. Austen and
pint or champagne tor me-" Interrupted
| Lund. I'VE supped rather late and are not
hungry. Be lively, nowr' he added in a sharp
| tone, land keep your grins and observations
| till they're asked FORT
Poor Horkins retreated in discontinue. end
astonished that the quiet gentleman should ave
| took him hup sharp. The two boon com.
| paniOns went up stairs.
As they entered the long and rather dark
passage which led TO their rooms u young
woman appeared advancing towards them from
the opposite end; and before she had made
three steps Lund had recognized her as Mary
Lambert The three met just opposite the room
door; she was about To pass on one side with n
slight bow of recognition, but Lund, suddenly
reiinguishing his friends ARM placed himself
in front OF her.
No further, without toll, Miss Mary Lam
| bert! said he, with u gay air; "you wouldn't
drink cl:tret with Austen last night but YOU
shall drink a glass of champagne with me this
morning, and leave kiss in the cup, too.'
Look here, l.und, wha' the devil the matter
wi y0u!' interpOsed Austen, catching hold of
the other arm. Miss Lamuert YOU must sense
this man; he dom know what he's talking
'bou,r'
But LunG had thrown his arm round Mary
| l-amberts waist and with his other hand lie
opened the door of the room and drew her in
Austen following. Then Lund set his back
against the door and contemplated his captive
with a smile.
"COme, now, M dear, be as obliging as Won
are pretty, said he, in voice that grated n
little. Were all among friends, you know: no
concealment; am not as good looking n fellow
as your old admirer here? and isn't variety the
spice OF life?''
Mary did not scream, nor did she visfbly
tremble- She stood in the center OF the room
with her hands pressed across one another on
her bosom, aud her eyes resting upon Lund
She seemed to be searching his face for some
thing that should be in it, but was missing.
''Some one has robbed yOu SIR" she said at
| length in a sad and penetrating tone "YOu
have lost what you had when you spoke to me
yesterday"
"Why, yes; have lost folly and gained wis
DOM, returned Lund, with q laugh: land TO
make mp tor ii i thought yesterday that you
had something which my wisdom derived
| from this gentleman) tells me you lost long
since"
She stood more erect at this, and, for the first
time, looked at Austen, who leaned against
| chair with his chin on his breast biting his
| lips"
| HAS Mr.. Austen anything against meeu said
she.
! speak up, man, and put the hussy to shamer'
| cried Lund, savagely.
| Its all piece of confOunded nonsensey,
| muttered tine unhappy creature between his
teeth. Fact is Miss Lambert-I don't half
! remember what happened-but was drunk
! and lost my temper and / told him q pack OF
lies, and he--like IL fool as he is-swallowed the
whole OF it! Awfully sorry-beg everybody's
pardOn-but-"
! At this moment his giances happened to fall
| upon Lund. and he instantly sprang back,