The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1885-01-16
AStrange Desire
The Dying Request.
AUTHOR OF 1.-THE SHADOW ON THE SNOW !"
"FRoM FALSE TO TRUE" baby
BELLE, ETC.
ARTHUR j. BRANDT,

BELLE, ETC.
While tho order was being executed
Mr.. Dreyfus, cut the end Of q cigar, ant
remarked, ut is really very kind Of 70,
to come, Mr.. -"
"Wickins, said John.
"Wickins" repeated Drcyfus TO
you see should have got into arrow will
my governor if his message had not beel
delivered. can't think what made M
make such IN ass OF myself last night
l might at least have waited until m.
business was done but, confound 1t
the girl looked SO pretty when L met he
walking home with the old lady, that
could not get the memory Of her fact
out of my mind and when 1 knew i
was beside me in the dark, was intoxi
Gated with the idea, and did not know
what l was doing indeed, did not"
81 quite believe it, SIR" said simple
John, with sigh; II ad the same feel
ing about her my self one night.
"Oh, you had, had your" said Drey.
fus, regarding him keenly. HAS il
gone Off YETI"
"No," said John, turning away hi.
face to hide an awkward red color which
had come into it "but it will have tt
do so, suppose, for she won't have me
at least, She wouldn't when asked
her, but I'm hoping she will alter hel
mind.
and in the meantime, what do you
intend to do?' inquired Dreyfus, anx.
iously. cit must be somewhat uncom.
Portable to live in the same house with
your divinity if she is not favorable"
"Well it Is rather, said John, wonder
ing why he felt so hot 'but, he added,
ardently, I'D rather do it than not
can bear anything for her sake. She
wouldn't have kept me, only promised
to worship her at distance"
SIN the hope that time would cause
her to shorten the distance?'
"Of course" said John, still very
warm.
Here the conversation was interrupted
by the entrance of the servant, who
brought in small bottle of whiskey, q
Jug Of cold water, and two glasses ar
ranged on tray.
When he was gone Mr.. Dreyfus, as
host, pulled the tray towards him.
"Ah!" cried he, holding up one of the
tumblers to the light "these country
people do not know how to clean glasse5
Since came here have not had clean
glass. The fluff all comes off of the
thing with which they wipe it."
dear mel" exclaimed John, quite
concerned; "Ill polish it for you, sir,
in jiffy. I'm used to that job. Have
YOU anything as would make shift for a
leather at hand?'
And he jumped up with alacrity.
mo, no I could not think OF it. was
fine answer. You are my guest Mr.
Wickins, and SO Iprefer doing the polish
ing myself. Pray, sit down-nay, in
sist upon i'll" He pushed the reluctant
footman gently back into his chair. II
insist upon it !" he repeated. "There is
o clean pocket-handkerchief in yonder
substitute for sideboard, which al
WAYS keep for the purpose, and would
rather do it myself, really !"
Mr.. Dreyfus lifted the glasses as he
spoke, and moved with them towards the
article of furniture which he had so
scornfully mentioned. Then he opened
a drawer, took out the said pocket-hand-
kerchief, and remained busily wiping the
offending glasses for some seconds with
his back to John.
When the operation was concluded to
his satisfaction he returned, set down
one of the glasses, and began to pour
whiskey into the other.
"How much ?" said he suddenly paus-
e.Is it for me, sir p saidJohn. "Oh,
that's too much!"
Nonsense /" exclaimed Dreyfus laugh
ing. II shall take the same quantity
myself. Don't make believe you've got
q weak head"
ant" demonstrated John.
ooh. nonsense you need not drink it
ALL" said Mr.. Dreyfus, adding water to
the whiskey, and setting the full glass
before the footman. Then he mixed his
own potion, and sat down, saying,
"Wefl commence proceedings with a
toast Here's health to Miss Mason"
After which he took draught of the
mixture which he had prepared.
"Can't refuse that !" said John, follow
ing his example.
aOf course not !" replied Dreyfus, do.
cidedly. "She's the loveliest and incest
girl I know; and if you think the same,
take another SIP"
"All right, said John, doing as he
was bid.
"And now," said Mr.. Dreyfus, putting
his cigar between his lips, and stretch
ing out his legs in an attitude OF ease,
''let us to business. Miss Mason, you
say, does not desire to see me again
Well, by Jove! now. I reflect upon my
conduct towards her, as you designate
the little love-making which was rashly
tempted to venture last night, am not
surprised at it am not surprised al
her declining another meeting but it's
awkward-deucedly awkward. And i
you had not turned up at the nick Of
time it might have been worse than awk
ward it would have cost me my place.
Shake hands, old fellow. shall always
regard you gratefully. Your health
Mr.. Dreyfus supped his whiskey-and
water, and John, overcome by his enter
tainer's friendliness, did the same.
I'm sure I'm very glad I'm any ser
vice to you, Mr.. Dreyfus," he said
sheepishly, as he replaced his glass
''Thank you," said Mr.. Dreyfus
"thank You thousand times! l wa!
sure could trust you when we under
stood each other little better.
Certainly, replied John, wondering
why he felt SO sleepy.
"You know how to give fellow ,
sharp answer" continued Mr.. Dreyfus
reighting his cigar, which somehow hao
been allowed to go out "but If ont
does not mind that, and will take TIN
trouble to insist upon your acquaintance