Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-05-17

D|II!l
IshaN nerer marry any other man."
Jim's arm; land although we will wait
be able and free to see him as often as
| like"
CHAPTER XVII.
A TRYING INTERVIEW.
Meantime. society at Rlankhamptou
was greatly edited by the return Of 1.-THE
last Of the Earles" to its midst.
Just at frst'he had not been inclined t.
avail himself Of the privileges which II
afforded him; he had been dazed and
crushed by events which had happened re-
Gently. and had moreover suffered good
deal from Beautiful Jim's continued pres.
ence. Somehow he never seemed able tc
get out Of sight Of the accusing look in
Jim's eyes, or from the accusing tones In
his voice, or from the accusing meanings
in everything that he said.
jim h6d no thought Of this at all-ir
truth. he had conceived such profound
contempt for, and such an aversion to, thu
young scoundrel. that II he could possibly
help It he never addressed him. or ever
allowed his eyes to rest upon him. Still
Is have said, 30 It seemed to Tommy
and It was not until Beautiful Jim went
on for his short leave that the lad began
to breathe with anything like freedom
But Is It Is but step from the sublime
to the ridiculous. 80 II was but step 70,
Tommy's light and buoyant nature to sir
from the depression which was the result
Of Jims presence to the gay and airy
hghtness OF his usual demeanor; and then
It was that Blsnkhampton society VA
able to welcome him to itself again.
Now mind, 1t was not that Tommy had
In any way got over the horror and dis.
tress which tho Walmsbury tragedy had
caused him-not at al: it was only that
position; and after tbs first great dread oil
Tor his peoples sake, he was safe from
Beautiful Jim's wrath, he began to smooth
the irrevocable past over, to whittlc away
| motive hero and to heighteu an sgRraya-
ton there. until he ct last began to feel
that. 90 far from his having committed {
crime in being the actual cause Of Owens
I death. Owen had behaved with really
vindictive and remarkable shabbiness tc
him in being knocked over BY the dumb
bell.
OF course ne was awfully sos1y that
poor old Owen had come to harm, but IN
aoubtedly Owen had always had particu
larly disagreeable way Of interfering In
matters which did not In the smallest
degree concern him. and. of course. as al
the world knows. when fellows will de-
that sort Of thing. they often come In fol-
moro than the bargain for All the same
he was sorry enough about poor old Owen
whom he had liked very wei ON the whole
and he would have given worlds TO have
undone or averted such deplorable acci
dent-yes. Tommy always now thought Of
Ovens death - . pure accident; It Wa
such much more palatable word thar
| murder. which had something coarse anG
revolving about the very sound and lool
Of it-but since that could not be. he hai
come to tho conclusion that It would b
simply useless to worry himself into {
!unatic asylum. or even into his grave. BY
fretting about It,
So you may believe. after Tommy had
arrived at this decision. that It was moi
very long before he took to tho old ways
and the pretty drawing rooms Of thu
pretty women In Blankhampton knew him
q Of yore.
With regard to the young lady at tn.
Ducks Tail ct Walmsbnry. Il can only b
said that Tommy had already come e
look upon the recent events Of the past q
. distinct Intervention Of providsnee K
save him from the CONSCIOUSNESS Of tn
dull and ereafy life into which he had
been mercdlessly thrust. And the ode
part OF 1t Ill was that b had meant seri
ously enough TO marry her. to make hel
the mistress Of Earles Hope. and the pos
sible mother Of the Eazlse TO come.
Well, that had been an escape fol
which be- could never been sufficiently
grateful-never; and, although he had nc
doubt that she could. II she chose, make
herself uncommonly dlsagrseable. thai
sort OF person is always open to being
squared. and happily hs would always
have the power to settle matters with he,
In that way,
60 when Beautiful Jim. in great disap-
Pointment and yet mot wholly sad. went
hack to Blankhampton. he found young
Tommy once more In the full swing of 60
eial popularity. just the spoiled pet he
had been aforetime; and after the first
gasp OF disgusted surprise. Jim promptly
went for him.
by the bye. Earle, I want to speak to
you. he said to him the day after his 70
~. .Al SieAt nv tS So% D. . Tar; I'LL
yours2' '' : 0ons 70
you can come to ml,e." said Jim,
shortly.
So to Jim's room they went, and ito
owner turned the key In the lock 20 a. to
secure them from interruption.
Just 1t first Tommy tried on the old air
Of jaunty equality. WELL" he said. set
Ting himself in the most comfortable
chair that tho room contained, II suppose
you've nothing especially pleasant to Say
to me. chr don't expect It in the least,
90 I'm prepared"
That's as well. /" said Jim. shortly. not
looking at Tommy at all, but ct the nine
he was filing, FOR Whist I've rot to ssy
You'll find devilish unpleasant2f should.
ct least. You probably don't know why
went up to town"
mot In the least, except for tho usual
thing. returned Tommy, trying hard to
keep cool and unconcerned, and only sue.
ceeding in looking thoroughly III at ease.
"Ah! ! thought So" said linn, drawing
hard at his pipe. We'll. didn't happen
to go for the usual thing at eli. went to
ask your sister to marry me-"
For y moment young Tommy simply
gasped; all the last Of tho Earles bride
seemed to stiffen him. and mingled with
It was q curious contempt that any fellow
should be thinking seriously Of marrying
bis sister. Then the advantages Of the
connection flooded in upon him. and he
made haste to reply:
"Hm-wen. l can't understand auy
fellow wanting to marry Nancy, though
she's pretty and good. and all that How.
ever, I'm sure hope she accepted you"
II quito admit your sisters infsriority
to the young lady ut the Ducks Tail"
SAID Jim. brusquely; but you see You
were beforehand with me there. How
ever, your sister did accept me-"
I'm awfully glad-let me congratulate
you. old chap" cried Tommy. effusiycly.
holding out his hand. And when is it
to bef'
when am free from any fear Of being
charged with Owens murder" REPLIED
Jim. coldly. and taking no notice Of the
'utatretched hand.