Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-09
CHAPTER III.

My head was in whirl and my pulses throb-
bling wildly as 1 hurried through dressing for
dinner, for we were dreadfully late getting
home that evening. had hardly time to
think over what had happened. Now, what
ever comes, / must see MIR. Heavyhand and
tell him all; yes. all. groan as think how
much is at stake now.
There is stranger with Rita and her uncle
when arrive in the drawing-room, dusky with
red-shaded lights. Mr.. Heavyhand seemed
greatly excited as he introduced him as "Mr.
Eustace Heavyhand. one of US. Wonderful. is
1t not, another turning up just now? One of
the Lincolnshire branch, you know. descended
from Eadwi Observation-Disclosures and the
old gentleman beamed on us all in high state
OF delight It seemed that the stranger had
arrived that day during our absence
was thunderstruck. Here was a complica-
ton l had never thought of. Was the new
conner brother imposter or was he a genuine
article2 If so, the greater would be nv. down.
fall eyed him suspiciously-it seemed to
me that he did the same In the dim light 1
could not make out his features, but there was
something curiously familiar about his figure
which puzzled me.
We made a move to the dining room. L secur-
ing Rita's shy little hand on my arm. How
quiet she was. usually so merry; the spell of
that twilight scene 30 lately over was still upon
her, could tell by her Huttered air. felt
triumphant as conqueror, though somewhat
uneasy because Of the new arrival.
Arrived in the brightly-lit dining room,
looked keenly at him, and met his eyes in anx-
ious scrutiny OF me.
'Hulloa! the Sponger. by JoveI'' cried in
amaze, recognizing at once familiar figure of
my Bohemian haunts in Paris. Ny righteous
indignation knew no bounds. This was no
Heavyhand-this was an imposterl
Rita and her uncle turned in surprise at nv
exclamation and the ''Sponger" and / stood
glazing at each other across the glitterine
ia "a in he
ground.
regretted having spoken, but it was too late
now. The ''Sponger" had quailed on being
first recognized, but looked defantly now, and
inclined to brave it out.
do you know Mr.. Eustace?" began the old
gentleman, but / cut him short, rudely, no
doubt. must expose such a scandalous i'm
position.
"Know him? should think So every one
in Paris knows him. He is no Heavyhand.
'Eustace' he may be, but Eustace McCabe an
Irishman known as the 'Sponger,' and very
well named, too" I was fairly choking with
wrath that my kind old host should be so i'm
posed upon, and the ''Sponger" had played me
an evil trick in the old days, or 1 would not
have been 30 hard upon him.
"Dear me, dear me, are you sure you are not
MISTAKEN" said the old gentleman in bewil-
dered tone, turning from one to the other as
we stood there, and McCabe took heart of
grace and began to bluster. It was shameful
tnat 'S1ntlemau snOulQ De 80 ueateQ: was
not his word as good as miner
I gave him to understand that I knew of a
certain affair not much to his credit in Paris,
which quieted him, but poor Mr.. Heavyhand
was quite nonplussed.
"But this-erIgentleman was well up in the
family history. There seemed no doubt that
he was one of the Lincolnshire branch, Eadwi.
you know" The poor old gentleman could
not give up his newly-found Heavyhand with
out struggle and McCabe struck in with re-
viving hopes.
81 quite convinced my elderly relative
"Relative!' I cried in scorn, The is no more
relative Of yours than he is of mine-that is, I
mean should say" here broke down pain
fully, and had to summon all my righteous in
dignation to sustain me. I turned to Mr.
an impostor." Here again broke down, my
eloquence received q sudden check at that
fatal word impostor. If McCabe was one what
was I? Could expose his fraudulent inten-
tions and cover him with shame and confusion
of face when a like fate threatened myself?
What evil chance had brought the man here to
complicate the dreadful position was in, con-
found him? looked up, and caught certain
hooking triumph in McCAbe's look. This was
not to be borne; must carry OF the situation
in some way.
II suppose" said witheringly to McCabe.
''that you have been at your old games. Pray
how much have you borrowed from our kind
host?'
I knew the "Spongers" proclivities well
enough to be sure Of my guess. He WINGED,
and poor Mr.. Heavyhand looked unspeakably
miserable when turned to him. asking:
SIS il not sold he not immediately Dor
row money Of your" and he had to reluctantly
acknowledge having lent him Gao.
righteous indignation" had full play again,
for was on safe ground now; II was an inn
postor was an innocent one. I did not want
money from the old gentleman; It was some
thing far more precious, to my eyes, that I
meant to ask him for-his niece.
ssMr. Heavyhand," said In my most impress
sive manner, II must warn You against this
man, who has shamefully imposed upon Won.
He Is mot Heavyhand at al" glowed with
pride that was genuine Heavyhand ana no
fmpostor - far g that went ."He e q we'll
known character Of very Bad record. can ten
You several stories that he cannot deny. md
that think would convince you; and yor, sir,"
turning with lofty scorn on the ssimpoetor,"
s.you had better be advised and retire quietly
before am obliged 10 expose you further.
Twenty pounds very good haul for you;
you could never get moro than ten frames ont
Of the Greenest Of ~, but you are mot 20 ven
known here"
McCabe summoned up some show Of dig
nifty. "Mr. Heavyhand has invited me TO stsy
at his house; ct his request only shall leave
it-not ct yours."
Hut the poor old ssntlsmsn's faith in his
latest toesU0ue was shaken, and he sank de-
fnofodlv In h3a nrmchair Haahlv au~een<Sn~ the<