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

the carriage would be ready at once IL Mr.
er-McCabe wished TO catch the up train
upon TINS. McCabe. seeing that the game
was up. stalked of, muttering something about
victor OF the hard-fought field
was triumphant but when the flush of bat
tie subsaded l realized that nv time had come.
After the foregoing scene my confession could
be delayed no longer.
felt such afool-to have 10 descend from the
high Office OF exposing fraud. of projecting nv
KIND OLD host from imposition. to humbiy con-
less my own guilt, not MANY shades less black
foor oid gentiemanl how would he stand the
shock Of two such deceptions2
and the butler suggested that the long-neglected
dinner should proceed. I gasped. for l must
speak now; should never come TO the sticking
point If waited until after dinner.
One moment, If you please, Mr.. Heavy
have something more to say"
The old gentleman looked up appreheusively
as he took his place at the head of the table.
"What is coming next?"
II should like to speak to you alone" con-
tinued-I am in for it now-.'that is-Rita-Miss
Mostyn--"
Mr.. Heavyhand resigns himself 10 n further
postponement OF dinner and motions the serv-
ants from the room, greatly to their disgust.
seek courage in glance at Rita who is all
confusion herself, thinking, no doubt. that
am losing no time in getting Uncle Georges
consent; she does not guess what she is about
to hear. Now for it.
begin desperately, for am in sorry plight
Il am afraid, sir, that shall-wound YOU
disappoint You very much. for must unde-
ceive you. l must confess that 1 am not-that
rs, 0a not write the letter Won received-it
has been a mistake" And hurry on to tell Of
Akers' foolish joke. not sparing that scapegoat.
and falteringly end my tale, nervously playing
with wine glass, my eyes glued to the table,
cloth, not daring to look up. Il must ask your
pardon, am dreadfully ashamed of myself"
Rita is silent, and her uncle gasps in dismay.
Then l am to understand that the letter is a
fabrication; that you are not of the Northum-
brian branch, not descended from"
The poor old gentleman seems crushed by
this calamity. / feel q criminal Of the deepest
dye.
NO." groan in deep contrition THAT is. we
do come from the north. but don't know much
about IL. Ny grandfather was Gen. Sir Robert
Heavyhand. knighted when governor of the
annexed provinces, and my father was Robert
aeayyhand, judge Of the supreme court in
"Eh? WHAT" cried Mr.. Heavyhand. jump
ing up as though electrified. Bob Heavy
hand-my chum, cousin, almost brother! Can
it be he was your father?" He rushes to me,
all excitement Why, bless me. this is won
derful! Why on earth did you not tell me so
before?"
Right glad am at this sudden change, ''You
never gave me q chance to tell you," Ireply.
and Rita breaks in laughing she does not seem
to have been much Mortified at my ''confes-
SION"
Poor dear unclel you are so busy hunting
up relatives in the twelfth century that you
never think of those Of the nineteenth"
well, il does look like it in this case / admit,
my dear, but if this foolish boy had only told
me l should have known his descent at once.
So that was all joke of your friends. Well,
let us have dinner at last, and drink the
health of our new cousin"
Little did 1 think the dreaded confession
would have such pleasant end, out l have not
done yet.
"Stop moment" cry, as Mr.. Heavyhand
is about to ring for the servants, Il have some
thing more to say"
Rita is blushing rosy red as take her hand
and draw her towardm me. Uncle George stares
in amaze
MY only excuse for my behavior in coming
to your house at all, and staying here under
false pretenses. must be this: IL love Rita
and think she-well, in short, if you viii
consent"
Eth! whas?' cries Uncle George, "little
Rita-why, she is only child yet"
Eighteen" puts in Rita. land please, dear
Uncle George, please" The rest is whispered
in his ear as she hides her blushing face on his
shoulder, and feel that we have not much to
fear from Uncle Georges opposition, for he
beams upon US through his glasses as pleased
as if he had just discovered a new branch OF
the family
The long-deferred dinner is at last served.
and the health of MI. and Mrs. Hubert Heavy.
hand" is enthusiastically drank by Uncle
George. while 1 silently pledge The Impos-
or-Belordpio