Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-05-29

sessad astonishing ability. remarkably
good looks great ambition and ne
prospect Ct succeeding t0 d large fer
baruneteies. In al these respects he
was, I need scarcely say. my superior.
/ was poor man; had only my enGk-
giles - depend upon and had 40 ia
duenkial relatives, no near relatives. no
near relatives indeed of any kind, ex-
cept my father, I being Al only child,
and my mother having died during my
infancy. At the bar I was. Tor young
Btet, fairly successful Raven and / had
chambers together; We had orr law
books il common; and We were On such
terms OF friendship that We were known
on our staircase e the Brothers. For
some years / lived . very happy life. /
made enough 20 enable myself 10 live IN
tOlerable comfort; and II time indeed I
felt myself TO be iustined IN looking ont
for wife.
Zone evening Raven and went 10 :
ball at Lady D-'a. We there met
Miss Mary Bagster, . young girl 81 sur
passing beauty; and before the night
was spent we had both--as learned
subsequently fallen ii love with her.
Her father, like mine. was q poor
clergyman. had bat little difficulty IA
establishing myself upon footing Of IN
timacy with her family: and often when
/ visited them, Raven accompanied me.
Mary, though she was, as have said,
inexpressibly lovely, was Of 3 somewhat
cold disposition. She was unenthusias-
tho and self-contained 10 on unusual de-
gree; and yet, in her way, she was am
bilious. She desired to marry q man
who would make bis way In the world:
and IL was only after some hattering
hints about me and my ability had been
let drop ~ her presence by her father.
who evidently favored me, that she con-
scented TO become my wife. Raven was
not ct Mr.. Bagster's house on that event.
iul evening. Next morning. when I met
him ct our chambers, told him Of what
had occurred. He changed color
which, at the time, attributed to the
strength Of his friendship for me-and
then congratulated me IN somewhat
extravagant manner.
when are you going to be mar
ried 2 he asked.
Soon, I replied. There Is no rea-
son why we should delay. I could wish
that were little better of; but our
misfortune IN that respect will, I trust
disappear in course OF time. AS it Is.
we shall, ] think, be able to do pretty
ST wish you JOY r said Raven. a. he
rose to 60 into the Chancellor's Court
where he had brief that morning.
81 had then no idea that he also loved
Mary Bagster, and that he had deter
mined, even ct that late hour. IL not to
wrench her from me for himself, &C least
to prevent my marrying her. His con-
duct toward me remained, so far as I
could see, exactly what it had been pre-
vious TO my engagement. He was genial
and friendly, appeared TO take an absorb
ing interest In all my plans for the
future, and actually accompanied me to
Brunswick Square to look over o house
which was to be let, and which I thought
Of taking and furnishing. I found that
the place would be rather beyond my
means, and regretfully told him so.
Never mind, Jack, he said: won
win find something better perhaps. But
] certainly should like You to have the
house.
"That evening we were sitting to-
AGUAA%A ONCA eA4O A4Gs 1ACh AC S1ku
suddenly, we are old friends, and /
want to give you q handsome present.
"He had, / should explain, recently
succeeded to the baronetcy end the es-
tates, and was now rich man.
ssYou are very good, / answered.
Anything that You may give Us will be
valued, not merely for itsell, but for the
sake Of the giver.'
HsWe have been ID chambers to-
gether, he resumed, for more than seven
years. / shan't Like losing your COM
pany; for Of course shall be robbed of
good deal Of it now. Be plain with
me, Jack. Would not money be more
useful to you than q mere present? 1t
usually Is acceptable, believe, IN these
cases.
81 thanked him feelingly for his fore.
thought Tt would be particularly vel
come, I said.
ssWithout another word. he drew his
chair to the table, took his check-bOok
from @ drawer, and filed in 2 draft,
which, after he had carefully examined,
he handed to me.
II took il, and gazed ct il with aston
ishment il was for thousand pounds
My dear Raven, I gasped, for was
overcome BY this act Of apparent and
totally unexpected generosity, it is too
much; it Is too good OF you. cannot
think Of accepting it
= sYou know that can well afford ft,
he said CURLY. i insist upon your TAX
ing II. If you refuse, we can no longer
remain on terms Of friendship.
" Nay, Raven" ! cried, while my
heart seemed to rise to my throat. DO
not misunderstood me- This Is noble
Of you. I thank you with oil my heart;
but I cannot accept such large sum.
'sHe would not listen, however, To my
refusal; and finally pOcketed both my
pride and the draft
ssATary Bagster wna at the time pay
ing short visit to her friends IN the
country: and khus Il happened that / |
did not mention the fact Of my having |
received Ravens handsome present |
either 70 her or to any one else. Hooked |