San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-17

her cheeks aAaine. She turned and Fixed
her eyes searchingly on Gabriel, who
could not meet her gaze. Suddenly she
seemed 10 grasp the situation.
A silence had fallen on the supper par
ty. The glasses no longer passed from
hand to bandj the laugh and the song
were hushed. All eyes were turned on
the figure in the doorway. in the fur
lined cashmere cloak and the shining, pale
gold hair.
There is either strange mistake or a
wilful deception here. ask you, signor
Gabriel, to explain it TO me, for l am I'M
willing to believe you could act such a
cowar,lly, contemplate part as to bring
me here under false pretenses."
Gabriel shifted his position uncasily
from one leg to another, and did not re
ply. He felt what very foolish figure
he made-like a clown by the side Of q
seraph. Finally, plucking up his innate
impudeuce, he threw back his head, and
Offering his arm to Lady Newen, said
gaily:
Come, Mysie; why take matters so
seriouslyi Own that / acted the little
fraud vey cleverly-completely took you
in, ehi Well, come, don't bear malice.
I'll be candid and tell you. was rather
short of coin, and in order to raise the
wind, as the saying is, l accepted a wager
to bring you here"
"Do you mean to say you have dared to
make me the subject Of a wagerf You
have won it in worthy way, truly.
tell you all here, that this-I cannot call
him man-came to my house, pleading
his excuse for the lateness Of the hour on
account of the urgency of his errand. He
told me he came from the DEATH bed Of a
dying woman, who wanted my forgiveness
before her soul could find rest, and l, be-
leving his words, followed him, and here
l am. have no more TO say, but good
night. Signor Gabriel, you are liar and
a coward! Goodnight"
"Stay, Lady Newen, allow me to be
your escort home. The hour is late, you
must not go alone"
Mysie turned and saw George Curzon.
pardon my presence here, and, believe
me, knew nothing Of this wager that
Cole had made. Had done So should
have warned you long ago of his inten-
tons, and thus set you on your guard
against him"
She looked at his earnest face and could
not doubt his truth. She held out her
hand.
~ do believe you, Captain CuIzOn, and
will accept your escort home; and
without another word she took his arm,
and the door closed behind them.
There was silence during the drive
home.
"If you please, my lady," said the but
Ter, as the three stood in the hall in Bed
ford square, "Sir Cuthbert arrived sud-
denly after you left, and enquired for you.
told him you had gone out with Signor
Gabriel, and did not know when you
would be back. and he gave me this note
for you. my lady"
"Is he not at home, theni When will
he returnR"
II do not know, my lady. l do not
think he will return tonight"
"Give me the note. Thank you. You
can close the house now, Morris. Good
night, Captain CuHon, and shall not for
get the service you have rendered me to-
night"
Don't say word about it. l could not
do less, Lady Newen. Goodnight"
Mysie went up to her own room and
shut the door; then she opened the folded
note.
~ imagined from the tone Of your letters to
me lately that you felt lonely and missed my
society. / returned at as early date as posi-
BILE to please and surprise you, neglecting
most urgent business for your sake. arrived
home at 1890, and find from Morris that you
had just left the house with Gabriel, without
saying when you should return. shall leave
for Paris by the morning train to Dover. You
know my address. If you have any excuse or
explanation to make for your strange conduct
you can write. CUTHBERT NEwEN."
The letter fell into Mysie's lap.
"That man seems to pursue me like
fate, and always comes between me and
happiness
=
George Curzon returned to the supper
table in Jermyn. street. The "moths" had
forgotten the tiresome little eontretemps,
complimented Gabriel on his assurance,
and laughed and sang as shrilly as before
Lady Newen had appeared. When The
tumult was at its loudest, and the kissing
cup was being passed with much merri-
ment from lip to lip the door suddenly
opened and George Curzon entered. He
was greeted with many sallies and much
gay banter.
"Ah," sneered Gabriel, rising 10 his
feet, "here comes the preur cheUaher d<s
danes, the champion of deceived matrons.
1t must be very long way to Bedford
square, judging by the hour. However,
we must not grudge him midnight tste-
a-tete with the loveliest lady in London"
There was chorus of laughter, in
which Gabriel joined, but his laugh soon
changed into groan as he staggered
backwards, blinded by a blow from Cur
IONS fist, administered between the eyes.
Gabriel rushed at his opponent, and re-
ceived a second blow in his mouth, which
brought the blood and cut his lip open.
Then Curzon left the room, and walked
downstairs.
Gabriel, maddened by drink and pas
sion, followed him.
\aDon't think you'll have it all on your
side, you cursed coward" he Kissed as
they stood in the doorway.
"what, haven't you had enoughl There,
then, take that" and Curzon dealt him a
smashing blow just under the jaw close
by the right ear.
Gabriel fell backwards heavily.
Freeland and Drake now came upon
the scene,
III say, old man, that was a nasty one"