St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-21

Srca1 Nioicuce 10 his feelings, IOr lie anu
Jack were old club acquaintance of many
years standing, and the latter had the great
recommendation in the eyes of an impecuni-
Gus younger son of being the heir to fine
estate.
''Have some breakfast" said the Hon.
Marmaduke, when they had exchanged
greetings.
"No, thanks, I have just had my lunch."
replied Jack, with forced laugh. IL will
take cigaret, If you don't mind"
'By all means Light up!" said the Hon.
Marmaduke, resuming his seat at the break
fast table. 81 have been up late the last
few nights.''
'Lost some money, I hear" said Jack,
putting furiously at his cigaret.
swell, Pm about square again now,"
returned the Hon. Marmaduke. 81 had luck
at the Phoenix yesterday, so I shall swear off
for while. What brings you here?" he
added, evidently remarking Jacks embar
rassment.
ga very unpleasant business, Carruthers,"
answered Jack, unable altogether, to repress
his temper. 'tI've heard something about
my cousin, Mrs. Ainslie, which has rather
upset me. know have no right to inter-
fere between you and her; that lis her hus-
bands business At the same time should
be awfullY cut up if anything happened"
My dear fellow, you needn't be afraid"
said Hon. Marmaduke, reassuringly.
Nothing will happen. I thought matters
were going triie too far, so | considered it
my duty TOTO terminate the acquaintance"
What" exclaimed Jack, with an invol-
untary start.
"Well,y GU know, was in an awkward fix.
1t turned out that the lady took our innocent
Irritation au grand serieux," said the Hon.
Marmaduke, smiling. 81 had not bargained
for anything more than Platonic friend
ship. l had always borne in mind that I
was a friend of yours"
every honorable of you," said Jack, with
peculiar information in his voice which
mightpa for emotion. IT should never
have thought my cousin was capable of a
grande passion"
The Hon. Marmaduke glanced at Jack,
whose expressive face manifested supreme
contempt, apparently at his Cousins con-
duct.
''Of course you will understand that am
not boasting, but only defending myself
against your suspicious" said the Hon. Mar
maduke, after pause. eff you doubt what
say can prove my words.''
"How?" demanded Jack, quickly.
The Hon. Marmaduke hesitated moment,
and then produced from his pocket dainty
cigaret case, from which he extracted a let
ter.
"Read that he said, throwing it on the
table towards Jack, and resuming his meal
with rather stentatious careessness.
Jack opened the letter with the air of o
man who could hardly believe the evidence
OF his eyes and ears. After glancing quickly
through it he withdrew to one of the windows
and read it very deliberately, while the Hon.
Marmaduke continued his breakfast with SUI
preme Indifference.
81 say, Carruthers! Will you give me
thisa" said Jack, advancing suddenly VITA
the letter in his hand.
81 don 'tthink you can ask that" returned
the Hon. Marmaduke, rather hastily. cit is
the sort of letter which only the lady's hus-
band could claim, and, of course, he knows
nothing about it,"
II should have thought you would have
destroyed it," said Jack, looking his COM
panion straight in the face.
''I'm afraid you don't know the world so
well as do, my friend, Responded the Hon.
Marmaduke, coolly, as he replaced the letter
in his cigaret case. ~ wish Mrs. Ainslie no
harm, of course, but must protect myself
When woman imagines her affections have
been sighted she becomes a dangerous
enemy. This letter is my safeguard, and so
long as it exists-or rather so long as it re-
mains in my possession--she will not at
tempt to harm me-"
But you say you would give it up to her
husband" suggested Jack.
80 would, if he should hear of it. In
that case, from what I know of Mr.. Ainslie,
imagine madam's wings would be clipped"
said the Hon. Marmaduke, with a laugh
which betrayed his vndiciiveness
"Will you authorize me to use NV discre-
ton about telling my Cousins husband of
this wretched letter."
''You can please yourself; but for good
ness sake don't imagine 1 suggest such a
course" said the Hon. Marmaduke, with
CLEAN of triumph in his eyes.
''Of course not. l cannot sufficiep tly
thank you for this interview returned Jack
with faint attempt at heartiness "Shali
you look in at the Blenheim tonight in case
/ want to see you!"
"As likely as not. At all events YOU know
my address," said the Hon. Marmaduke,
laughingly.
The same evening Jack Harwood entered
pany with Mr.. Ainslie. Several members
were present, including the Hon. Marina
duke, who, as usual, was the center of an
admiring circle of youngsters. The appear
ance of Mr.. Ainslie caused some little stir
among the youthful coterie, from which it
was evident that some Of them, at all events,
mad heard OF the scandal about that gentle
mans wife. Jack nodded to the Hon. Mar
maduke, and modestly took seat in the
background; but Mp. Ainsie, who looked
very pale and determined, stepped into the
center OF the circle, which was formed in
front OF the fire, and said, in tone of voice
which was audible in every part of the room /:
Gentlemen, may / beg your attention for
one minutel am about to take most un-
usual course, but as most of you know. I am
one OF the Oldest members of this club, and
You may therefore feel assured that am act
ing after careful deliberations
Every one in the room started up in as
constituent, and one might have heard
pin drop the moment afterwards. The Hon.
Marmaduke raised his eyebrows and glanced
towards Jack, who was severely criticising
the end OF cigar which he had just lighted.
Il regre. very much having to intrude nv
private affairs upon you,'' resumed Mr.. Aims.
lie, put my object is to put an end to a
painful scandal which has been circulated in
the club regarding my wife. 1t is rurnored,
l believe, that member of the club, who is
now present, has in his possession letter of
a very compromising nature written to him
by Mrs. Ainslie.''
All eyes were Immediately turned towards
the Hon. Marmaduke, who seemed not a
little disconnected, and sought to hide his
confusion in cloud of tobacco smoke.
Assuming such letter ever to have been
written" continued Mr.. Afnslie, 81 think
all OF us will agree that the recipient was in
honor bound to keep the fact secret. In
this unhappy instance the gentleman refer
to has been so wanting in good feeling as to
talk freely Of the letter and its contents in