The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-09-05
'@wT you give tho address ! wanted

'@Wu you give the address I wanted
when last we metz" asked Hervey eagerly.
~ will mott answered Csrruthers shortly.
He did not this time assert his inability TO
oblige his questioner, because he was YIN
willing to confess that Beatrices present
abode was secret kept even from her own
friends He had also made up his mind that
nothing should tempt him to ask tits ex-
convict single question. An attempt to
get at the truth through such medium as
this would be a degradation, an insult to the
woman he loved.
His visitor took the blunt refusal very
badly. The truth Is that Mr. Hervey's tenn
per was not improving, or rather his COM
mand of it was, from sustained course OF
cigars and whisky and water, growing titful
and intermittent. Besides, CarrutherS had
a way with him which was particularly lrrl-
tating to those who had the misfortune to
quarrel with him. On previous occasion
Hervey had found it almost more than he
could put up WITH However, with the ex-
ception of slapping his hand on Frank table
he controlled himself for the present
Il must insist upon your telling me" he
said ~ have to make an important business
communication to Miss Clauson."
Carruthers smiled contemptuouslY. "Her
trustees, the Messrs. Talbert of Oakbury,
manage Miss Clausons business, | believe.
Or YOU might go to the family solicitor,
whose name will give you"
my business is of private nature.
demand this address. ] have right TO ask
it,"
Carruthers shrugged his shoulders, ele-
vatei his eyebrows in true Talbcrt fashion,
and again smiled that irritating smile.
''My good SIR he said, cannot you I'M
derstand that absolutely refuse to crafty
youI That IA gentleman is not justified III
giving every one who asks it ladEs adj
dress. Go to Sir Maingay Clauson, he IS the
proper person to apply to- AS to rights,
am certainly within my own if ask you tc
leave my room. No doubt you see that the
business which gave me the pleasure Of this
visit cannot be carried through"
Hervey scowlei, hesitatod and then walked
out Of the room. lie was wise in 50 dong,
as he might have said more than he intended;
and premature disclosure, indeed, a dtScio-
sure at ALL of the truth would entirely ruin
his cloudal prospects As, from lack OF po-
likeness, or furry of discontinue, he left the
door mar, CarruthclS rose and wa ked across
tho room to close it. just then the door
opened and the two men confronted each
other on the threshold.
''lf Won write to Miss Clauson Will you
give her message from me-" as"el Aeryey
with forced clviltY.
THAT depends exactly upon what the mes
SAGE may ba.n
'Will YOU tell her that | callel on you and
said the matter could now be easily arrange /!
There's no harm in that
There seems none. When write I'll give
it,
You'd better mention my real name. It's
not Henry Morris-lts--'
Il am acquainted with your real name"
said Frank with perfect nonchalance Her
vey grew very angry
Now | wonder who you may be" he said,
''you who write to her. Perhaps you're sweet
on each other, and look forward to a happy
marriage" An inCautlous remark OF the
rogue's, yet one he could not refrain from
making; nor could he refrain from cycling
Carruthers to see how the shot told. Hard
as the effort was, Carruthers preserved his
equanimity.
Perhaps So he said careleSsly. II can't,
however, imagine it can be of the slightest
interest to you.n The scornful emphasis laid
on the last word flicSed Hervey like whip
perhaps sol" he echoed with his hooking
laugh. "Ha, ha! do YOU think Pm fool'
Do You think you take me in with your
studied ease. Don't know you're dying tc
know who am and all about me-"
Il know good deal already" said Frank.
in scathing tones. ''If | felt any wish tc
know more should apply at Scotland Yard
or wherever the proper office may be-
This taunt was more than even the most
anna ble tIcket-of-eave man could be expect
ed to let pass. 1t finished HeIvey entirely.
He boiled over. With the violent expletive
which invariably accompanies such an act he
struck out full at the speaker.
This Carruthers was one OF those decep
tive men who at first glance gave little
promise of much strength. Yet II his frame
was spare his shoulders were square, and all
the weight he carried was bone aud muscle
He may be summed up in the simple word
wlrv; and wiry men, as many muscular
looking athlete knows to his cost, are not
adversaries to be dcspised. He was far from
being one of those marvellous creatures,
usually officers in the guards, who, in fiction
at least, can crush up silver tlagons, toss
with one hand sixteen-stone rutiian over
ditch or railing, but all the same he had
his fair share of manly Strength.
After parrying Herveys blow, he simply
jerked out his right arm to the very best OF
his knowledge and agility, throwing the
whole weight of his body into it, and, in the
language OF what may now be called the re-
vived prize ring, ''got well home"
These were the only two blows struck, and
for this reason: Hervey, when he received
Franks blow was standing on the landing.
He staggered back and went headlong down
the steep stairs. 1t seemed as if his neck
4 N !.