Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-02-02
BY One, BY TWO And BY
THREE.
TEMPLE BAR.

IL must have cut my hand over that
confounded tumbler or something" "
said Macbane at last with an evident
effort. 81 will go and wash it off in
my bedroom and be back in a mo-
ment."
He slipped out as he spoke, and we
heard him washing his hand and NUT
tering to himself all the time.
Then in q few minutes he came
back, keeping his hand in his pocket,
and resumed the game. But his for
mer high spirits were gone, and anoth-
er tumbler of punch failed to recall
them. He made constant mistakes,
prayed his hand at random, and at
last suddenly threw his cards down
on the table, laid his head on them,
and burst into a fit of hysterical Sob
bing. We did not know what to do
with him, but Standish laid him on
the hard sofa, and in a little time he
seemed better, through greatly shaken,
ard managed to control himself. He
thanked us in whisper, and told us
to so and he would get to bed alone.
We were still rather anxious about
him, but there seemed no reason for
staying with him now against his will
The natural reaction had followed on
all the strain and excitement, and |
for one was glad that it was no worse.
So We left him beginning in a slow
and dazed way to get to bed, ard des-
cended to try and snatch little sleep
in the genteel misery of the irst-hoor
lodgings.
We passed rather disturbed night
In our strange quarters. There We're
rats in the walls, the windows ratified,
and altogether there were more queer
noises than one generally hears in
houses so new. However, We did get
to sleep, and did not wake again till
the gray, dull, sodden dawn was max
ing Chas:ly the little strip of sky Wis
ible over the grimy root of the house
opposite. We rose and dressed quick
ly and went up to Macbano's room.
peered in, but he was still sleeping
heavily SO We busted ourselves, as
quietly as We could, in preparing
breakfast, intending, if our friend did
not wake, to go off to our own work
for the day, leaving a message for him.
We purposed, in a rather vague man
ner, to do something for poor Mac
bane. Standish hoped to work on the
better feelings OF his uncle; l had lie
solved to devote some of my little
savings to keeping my friend out OF
the workhouse.
We were half through our scanty
and silent meal, when heavy tread
was heard on the stairs, making appa-
rently for the room where We were.
What luck r. said the sansuine
Standish heres the penitent uncle,
come back after the whiskey. Now
leave me alone to manage him. There
is half the bottle left
/ The steps came up to the door and
paused then there was a single sharp
rap, and in walked-not Mr.. Maedon.
aid, but q policeman. If Standist
and l had been thieves or coiner:
taken in the act, We could hardly
have shown more confusion. My 6rst
thought was that perhaps Macbau,
had done something wrong and thi,
suspicion was confirmed by the Off
GERS first words.
Beg your pardon, gentlemen" b,
said ''bat IS either Of you Mr.. \
Macbane %
No. said Standish; "Mr. Mac
bsne is asleep in the next room. Wha
do you want with him :"
Il want him to come with me I,
the station, as soon as convenient
sir, was the reply.
WI bat for persisted Standish
Nothing wIOng. ! hope p