Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-24

any cause whatever He was Desperately fond OF
odI n ne San 20 pSs
there was no longer any need for reticence So
the two were almost impercepubly drawn closer
together, and possibilities were mOoted which q
month ago neither wound have cared 10 hint at.
sun, Mr.. PettiSole's vigilance was unrewarded,
and ne began to elaborate strange plots for
IL was summer time, ard Sir James Dunder
announced his intention OF going up the riyer 10
nsh.
something may happen while / am away;
| keep your eyes Open" said Sir James.
Trust me for that" reptile Titus, with wink.
| 81 am going up the river for a week or two, -
announced sir Jimes to his wife that evening.
1 ''Start tomorrow"
'1ndeedl" she replied. "shan you be away
''Iwo or three weeks"
as Mr.. Pettisole going with your
| NO! that Is, am not sure. Why do you ask?r
81 should be sorry to be deprived OF his So
ciety."
Titus?"
..Nol" she snapped: 81 detest himr'
Indeed, replied her husband "Since when,
might ask7" sudden thought occurred to her;
she certainly owed Titus no mercy
liver since saw him, especially since he pro-
pOs-d 10 me; out more particularly OF late, since
again.
'whati shouted Sir James; "Pettisole proposed
10 you? You never told me this before,'
why should L? III you don't believe it. perhaps
yon would ike to see some OF his letters"
don't mind" she said
But SIR James rose and left the room without
apOIosHihg- He was much too occupied with the
uneXpec ed news. His FIRST idea was 70 confront
MI. fettisole; but, on second thoughts he con-
sources Of ,n9o, e MN alone and trust TO other
TINS time, he said, grimly; emo more amateurs
LOT me. suppose that little imp Is really working
likes him, and only said ali that 10 put me OF!
Hang IL, don't know what TO suppose! I only
WISH were nd OF the whole lot. They're too many
:. few days after Sir James departure, Capt
s sndseur called at Grosvenor square, and found
OFTEN prevailed at these interviews now quite un-
IKE Tue OLD free-and-easy friendship Perhaps
each es was conscious OF the others thoughts, yet
ieaIeu oy word or look to betray his own.
ANY news Jack?" she asked at length.
NOT MUCH My mother and sister have got
an no y, On the ryer close TO Maidenhead want
there or at Skindles. Mother will WRITE OF
course he concluded rather nervously.
think?'
lis he in town.
''Or course, Sir James is on the river somewhere,
ana MS faithful friend is lett behind to keep
Il should ike to wiring his necs,r said Jack, Vi.
the Window - ''''' 0' -
certainly moi, she replied, decislvely; she is
ardly.. "
I'D give anything to be even with the curl"
,,s $50 would - replied Aura, mediIatively, land
"Well, never mind Pettisole You will come to
Maidenhead, won't your"
I'll tnink about IL, she answered.
A week later Mr. Pettisole happened to run
down TO Maidenhead for two or three days He
wanted country air. he thought Moreover he
knew that JACK vandeleur Was there so he put
up at SklnJles. and the morning after his arrival
ne met Nandeleur at breakfast In the coffee room
EDH al tflra-f
here"
Jack glared at him, knowing that this was lie.
merely said, Eyes, my mother is living In the
sleep here
staying long?" queried Pettlsole.
mo; Just been telegraphed for. on to scotland
this afternoon" growled Jack
Pettisoie continued to chatter on, aimlessly: but
Nanueieur DruSqueiy cut him short by leaving the
room Ihe spying instinct was strong upon Titus,
and ne followed He heard Jack say 10 the waiter
go s,t 5ne snant want that dinner ordered for
shall be back in two days or so. And here-just
send off this telegram"
wonder who the deuce the dinner was fore-
thought Titus. s.SOmething up for A Thousand -,
Now the telegraph Office Is nearly a mile from
the hotel so Pettsole lurked about until at length
ne saw the waiter give the miss1ve which was
inclosed In an envelope, TO a hanger-on at the
stables, who started leisurey on his Grand Titus
WALL slowly after him. 81 should like TO see
that Telegram he thought. and a moments re-
uection showed him that 10 intercept 1t was an
easy task. He let the messenger get well ahead
and Just as he was nearing the Office overlook him
at a run.
''Did the waiter at skindles' give you my tele-
gram 10 Send?r he inquired.
'Ah, see you have got it there Lucky caught
you up. I've changed my mind now and viii
send another myself. Here's shilling for your
trouble"
The man handed over the missive unsuspect.
ingy and Pettisole entered the post-office bought
a shilling's worth OF stamps to allow tbe me-
1 II rpfu a
| then emerged cautiously to read the message un-
observed IL ran thus:
10 Lodv Doader No. 600 Grosreuor Square. Dinner
VIII Srie. ' '0fr' out 'eiesraphed ior must g go.
..The deuce" said Titus "IIere's a gor,
| He at once felt that this was an Opportunity
though how 20 utilize II TO the best advantage did
| not llnnlediately occur TO him. HALF an hours
walk and deep thought helped 10 make nis course
plain 10 him He returned 10 the ofiice and sent
| another telegram, worded thus:
| To Lady Dyndes. Ali right tonight Will meet
| on in cab TO skindles. ''"' 'oNi'
| He returned TO Skindles' later In the afternoon
when ne Knew that Jack vandeeur would have
departed, and ordered dinner for two in a private
ROOM Even II they ind out sent the Telegram
IT'S good enough, he reflected, gleefally "Ny
LADY comes down 10 dine at Maidenhead with 4
man In private room. II that doesn't SETTLE her.
blessed II know what Will, wish knew where
Old Dunder Is I'd open his eyes to some tune n
Mr.. Pettlsole had some spare time on his hands.
| so he hired a punt and boatmap and snenf the
| interval blissfully enough under Cueveden woods
Meanwhile Lady Dunder was celebrating whethe
she should go 10 Maidenhead or not IL was rather
strange proceeding, as she had 10 go alone, and
| she well knew that he would insist on accomDs
nying her back TO town, unless as was probable
his mother gave her shelter for the night Rut
she felt In the mood for risky enterprises and
having promised 70 come, resolved that she would
| not draw back. But, on arriving at Maldenhead
| station she was distinctly annoyed to mud that
JACK was not there To meet her. However much
1 engaged he was he ought to have done this shc
| thought reSentfully. But to go back to town was
absurd and feeble, 50 she took Cal and drove of
TO the hotel. At Skindles' there were several mer
| iOanng ABOUT, but no sign OF Jack. The situation
was embarrassing, when suddenly she Caught
/ sight OF Mr.. PettisOe.
| Much as she disliked the man, his presence wa:
| almost relief. He bowed TO her with great cere
| mony. and AT once came TO her rescue.
| Have you seen Capt vandeleur.r she asked IL
| some embarrassment. al was going TO Join din
| ner party be Is giving, and"
| 'Oh, yes.' said Titus, readily. "Hes round OF
the other SIDE. His mother was taken rather II
here, and he could not leave her. Asked me Il
make his apologies This way, Lady Dunder"
| ANXIOUS only 10 escape the curious chances O.
the loafers. she followed MIN as he strutted acros
| a yard and down couple OF passages.
This Is the room," he said, half opening tn,
door.
sne entered unsuspecting. Titus shut the doc
promptly.
"But this must be mistake, Mr.. Pettisole,r sh,
said. capt Vandeleur expected party"
"ies." he replied, with a sheer; "you are tn,
party. You see that dinner is laid for two,
what do you mean, sr?"
Don't DC annoyed, Lady Dunder, II ! happen u
discover your little scheme. Capt Vandeleu
must have forgotten the engagement Some mel
are 50 extremely thoughtless. assure you IL shai
M fur her h.a