The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-31

you see, and he's asked me as favor to take
charge of it, and cook is not to go to the opera,
but she's to go to the Crown, where he's or
dered the supper at 10 O'Clock, and help the
Crown to do the thing proper, and he prefers it
to having it here, and thinks it will be more jolly
like; and he won't want nobody at home, as him
and lawyer Nolan is agoing to do some work to-
gether. because masters going to Leighton
Buzzard ON Monday and then to Ireland for
week"
Mary nevertheless contended that the master
was mad and looked it" and she was dead
sure of it" when the butler being recalled by Mr.
Needham returned to say they could each invite
a friend to the supper at the Crown On the
other hand the cook contended that he was get
ting to be a lonely man. and consequently be-
ginning to think of others little and for her
part she always felt he was "a good Sort" and
now he was ''a-beginning to show it."
In the meantime. Mr. Needham called at tho
Opera booking office, and paid visit to the
Crown tavern la coachmans resort near Bruins
wick Palace, at which latter place he arranged
for the supper, and was voted "a regular brick"
by the landlord and his wife. Then he strolled
into Oxford street and purchased a strong mar
cotic. He walked and felt land he thought SO,
communing with himself in his strange way
as If he were in dream, but knew he was
awake-as if he was led on-as if he was destined
to do cruel thing and could not resist it. Some
of his forgeries, his desperate attempts to keep
his head above the eddies of financial troubles,
had been done under the influence of a similar
instlnct--a kind of impulse-as if his evil nature
was altogether beyond the control of his moral
faculties
rs man responsible for what he does when
he is fighting for life In whirlpoolF Needham
was muttering to himself as he walked back to
Portland place. "A drowning man snatches at
straws; and if another man comes along he
clutches at him, even though they both sink to-
gether. In his blind despair he will clutch at
the swimmer who comes to his rescue, and cling
to him madly without reasoning until the res"
SO x.lnora1
man floats safely to shore clinging to the dead.
1t must be that it is intended should live; but
London asks a sacrifice, the banks ask a sacri-
fee; financial honor calls for a victim, the wild
ows and the orphans cry aloud for vengeance;
and 10! and behold fate sends the sacrifice in
lieu af the one that was prepared. Who knows
that may not be destined to atone to all these
people to repay them, to reendow their institu-
tions and their homesW
1t was CHASTITY smile that ff4ckered on his
lips at this latter thought, if the iend within
HIM rejoiced at his hypocrisy
AS the solemn clock on his library mantel-
piece pointed to a quarter to he stood within
the shadow of the silk curtains and saw the last
of his little crowd of attendants trooping out
into Portland place toward the Oxford circus on
their way to the opera.
The sun had set in lowering clouds and there
was a promise In the changing wind of a wet
dark night He noted these signs, and said to
himself
Everything in earth and heaven if / may
use that word, favors my escape, and points
the road to freedom"
CHAPTER VIII
IN WHICH A SILENT PASSENGER Is DRIVEN INTO
THE DARKNESS.
Oddly enough at half paste, just as Mr.. Joseph
Norbury was walking up to the door of Mr..
Needham's house, the door was open and the
owner himself was taking off his coat in the hall.
''Ah!" he said, 'this is lucky. l left word if
U0Y1 20 x7e,lNc xhafth
and cigars and wine, and soda, and brandy, in
the library, and that hoped you would make
yourself at home. felt sure should be back
in time, there or thereabouts / have been
walking as far as the Bath hotel with an old
friend from Dublin who is eccentric that he
will never trust himself in cab Or carriage in
London. and had just let myself in with my
fashion. Come in, I am
very glad to YOU
He shook Norbury's hand warmly, and then
speaking as if addressing servant whom he
professed TO hear approaching he said, 1T is
only l. Rogers, and Mr.. Norbury; we can find
our own way to the library, and don't let US be
disturbed"
The truth was he and Norbury were alone in
the house.
az live very simply" he said. leading the way
to the library IAN old bachelor and l dislike
giving trouble"
Il hope your servants appreciate your consid-
Grafton" said Norbury.
lob, yes, | think they do" he answered.
"Now. sit in this chair, pray believe am sorry
not to have had the pleasure of your company at
dinner. As you could not come l simply had
chop, and cleared up a little business with nv
secretary. hope you will like these cigars"
Thank you" said the guest, taking a Cabana
from the box which his host pushed towards him.
''You are very Kind. The disappointment is
mine. My lawyer is an old friend, and l could
not well, on the eve of leaving the country, OBJ
struct his arrangements, seeing that they were
chiefly IN my interest"
will you take coffee? have it here, you see.
No trouble"
He pointed to silver coffee urn, under which
was curling thin blue flame.
My butler had just placed it ready as we
came in--a little cafe noir."
THANK you" said Norbury
The host assisted his guest and himself to cot
fee, but Needham took no brandy.
And what is your hotel in New York;
The New York, it is called"
You have written them advising them of
your coming, of eoursep
Eyes, | wrote about ten days since.'
Always so much pleasanter to be expected
said Needham II have written the letters l
mentioned: think they win be of service to
you. You spoke of your sister last evening, is
she likely to join youl"
over, she is engaged to be married, and am
rather selfish fellow, l fear. She has been
my housekeeper ever since the death of my
wife, and hate parting with her."
just as conjuror forces" a card upon you
SO Needham by example seemed to force the
cafe noir on Norbury by himself drinking in o
somewhat oStentatious way.
Then he led his guest into talking of his III
ness and the reasons why his doctor advised
change, protesting to sympathixe with him, and
at the same time telling him of the sudden death
of friend who had developed similar symptoms
Norbury was thus brought into a frame of mind
that might possibly prepare him to experience
without surprise sudden symptom of illness"
LAS for DEATH he said, ''there was a time
when had horror of it, but all that passed
away when / lost my wife. / am no longer
afraid of death--I have often wished for it.
Don't you think our education upon this matter
is altogether wrongs"
"In respect of the preparation for deaths"
asked Needham in reply, weighing his words and
pressing his feet upon the floor. as if to steady
his nerves.
'Yes. Many of the Oriental races have no
fear of 6aath Tho Chinaso norn.d - a..