The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-02-05


Gabriel, to explain it to me, for I am un-
willing TO believe you could act such a
cewardly contemplate part as TO bring
me here under false pretenses."
Gabriel shifted his position uneasily
from one leg to another, and did not re-
ply. He felt what very foolish figure
he made-like clown by the side Of
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
seriouslyf Own that L acted the little
fraud vey cleverly-completely took you
in, ehi Well, come, don't bear malice.
III be candid and tell you. 1 was rather
short Of coin, and in order to raise the
wind. as the saying is, 1 accepted a wager
to bring you here"
"Do you mean to say you have dared to
make me the subject Of wageri You
have won it in q worthy way, truly.
tell you all here, that this-I cannot call
him q 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 deathbed Of a
dying woman, who wanted my forgiveness
before her soul could find rest, and /, be-
lieving his words, followed him, and here
am. have no more to say, but good
night. Signor Gabriel, you are a liar and
a coward! Goodnight
Stay, Lady Newen, allow me to be
your escort home. The hour is late, you
must not so alone"
Mysie turned and saw George Curzon.
pardon my presence here, and, believe
me, knew nothing of this wager that
Cole had made. Had I done so. 1 should
have warned you long ago Of his inten-
tions. 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.
II do believe you, Captain Curzon, and
I will accept your escort home;" and
without another word she took his arm,
and the doo. 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 euguired for you.
! told him you had gone out with Signor
Gabriel, and 1 did not know when you
would be back, and he gave me this note
for you, my lady"
''Is he not at home, then2 When viii
he returnY Y'
Il do not know, my lady. 1 do not
think he will return tonight"
Give me the note. Thank you. You
can close the house now, Morris Good
night, Captain Curzon. and 1 shall not for
get the service you have rendered me to-
night"
Don't say a word about it. 1 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 rs early date aS pussi-
tile to please and surprise yoI. neuicctiug
most urgent business f,I your.sal.e. arrived
home at lO:;1. and ind from Morris that yuu
had Just left Tie bs,ff-c with Gabriel without
saying when you should return. I shall leave
for Paris 10y the morning train to Dover. You
hIHl" ny AtdfeSs. II you nave 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 c0ntretenips,
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 preLB cher0her des
danes, the champion of deceived matrons.
1t must be a very long way to Bedford
square, Judging by the hour. However,
we must not grudge him midnight tete-
0-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 blow from Cur
IONS fist, administered between the eyes.
Gabriel rushed at his opponent. and re
ceived n second blow il 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.
Don't think you'll have it all on your
side, you cursed coward" he Missed as
they stood in the doorway
What, haven't you had euourh7 There,
then, take that" and Cu1zon dealt him
smashing blow just under the jaw close
by the right ear.
Gabriel fell backwards heavily.
Freelafni and Drake now came upon
the scene
Il say, old man, that was a nasty one,-
said Freeland. Il believe you've done
for him. A crowd will be gathering di-
rectly if we don't look sharp. Here, give
us hand. Wen carry him in. You run
for doctor, Drake He don't seem TO be
coming to. somehow"
They carried him UP into the supper
room he had Just left. and laid him on the
sofa
The white. death like face, with its
ghastly paIlor and the cruel e,t-h across
the liz, seemed such n mocke1y of life ly-
ing in the DiLSt of the feast under the
glaIing gsslights.
Sir Cuthbert Newen was sitting over
his breakfast in a very suIlcn mood at the
Hotel de Louvre, Paris. when his letters
were brought TO him
He glanced AT the address on each. One
was from his wife.
He read it with frightening face, from
which dark cloud had been cleared
away, just as sunlight ,Iispc'Scs the mist.
Pack w my things to-day, Cross" he
said to- his valet. 1--WE leave Paris 10y the
night train