Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-05-24

good-by to her Jim, Mr.. Earle came to her
and told her that he had given her maid
and his man orders TO be ready to start
for Blanl,hampton by the earliest train in
the morning. (Which passes Marchton"
their nearest railway station cat twenty
minutes past g." he ended, briskly.
Nancy stared at him for a moment,
simply speechless with surprise. But
father, my dear" she exclaimed, sit will
knock you up altogether, you are not fit
for it-you"-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. My only son
does not go off TO active service every
day." he answered, brusquely, land time
is precious; they leave Blankhampton on
Thursday morning at 10 o'clock"
So to Beautiful Jim's indispensable de-
light, and to Tommy's unutterablc dis
gust, on the following morning. before
any one Of the Blankshire regiment had
so much as had time to think about any.
thing so comfortable as luncheon, Mr.. and
Miss Earle arrived at the infantry bar
racks in hotel carriage.
And Tommy looked as lie fclt-done!
However, he had no excuse but 10 &c
! through with the day as best he could
although he wished himself already in
Burmah over and over again, and fairly
played, giving him limp hand for al in
slant without shake in it, looking right
over his head when she spoke to him,
giving him the edge of her Jaw to kiss IL
he wished to do so. Only once, indeed,
| did she look at or speak to him fair or
straight.
Stuart" she said, sharply, when they
were just back to town again, 1.-The
| colonel says you will be free at o'clock
to come and see US. l want to see you
alone. Do you understand
Can you arrange it," he asked, snlkily,
not daring to refuse.
Eyes. Mr.. Beresford is coming at that
! time also, and will take you into my
| bedroom while say what want to say
| to you. It will not take me more than
| ten minutes"
Very WE'LL" said he, CURLY.
Miss Earle looked at Mm-and she
knew him pretty we'll, SO was able to read
what was passing through his uliad as
easily us if he had been book.
"And don't attempt to shirk it." she
said. sharply. because I've got something
to say to you, and mean to say it before
you 60. Do You understands
| "Oh, perfectly" returned Tommy, with
a sheer. The sneer reused every feeling
of evil that had any foothold In Nancy's
| gentle heart; they were not many, but
they were enough to mako Tommy thor
oughly uncomfortable for the rest of that
day.
If you fail to keep your tryst." she
said, c0ldly, "our father knows every.
thing before 2 o'clock tonight" and then
she turned from him without another
word and rejoined the others, who were
walking toward the carriage.
So almost before the clock little way
up the High street had struck the hour.
young Tommy made his appearance in the
sitting room which was for the time being
that Of his father and sister. and few
minutes Inter was followed by his COM
rade, Beautiful Jim.
Then was Nancy's opportunity. nor did
she neglect to take advantage Of 1t. ''Oh,
Stuart. she said, in tono SO admirably
easy and like her own that Beautiful Jim
was fairly startled and looked up quickly.
fully convinced that in the pain OF part
ing his gentle sweetheart lad forgotten
oil the past. II have something to show
you-come into my room for minute
Jim, you will talk to my father till we
come back, won't your"
Jim bowed and made some polite re-
foinder. and Nancy went briskly out Of the
room, followed by Tommy.
They found her maid busily arranging
her gown for the evening. ''You can 70
down for half an hour, Susan" said
Nancy, and as the maid obeyed, closed the
door behind her and turned the key in the
lock. Then she went across tho room to
Tommy's side, and surely, IL beautiful
jim could have seen her at thnt moment,
he would not have found much forgesful-
ness OF the past in tho sternly compressed
lips and the shining scornful eyes.
Il have not asked you to como hero to
rerroach you, Stuart" she began, looking
straight at him with Lei. wonderful, clear
cray, shining. honest eyes.
Young Tommy shifted irresolutcly from
one foot to the other. Il should thinls."
he blurted out, THAT you could hardly 10
20 mean when I'm just of to active Ger.
vice. and may never come home again"
"A very good thing If you mover do. !"
she responded, coldly; but, all the same.
It is just because you are going to the
front, and perhaps never may como homo
again, that asked you to come up hero
fwant to know if you have considered
that, in the event Of such happening it ia
possible. even probable. that yonr guilt
may fall ON the shoulders of another who
is perfectly innocentf"
Tommy looked at her blankly. what
do you mean?" he asked.
Il mean" said Nancy, steadily, that,
supposing you happen to be killed out
there or to die, and Mr. Bercsford gets
home safely. tho charge against him
might be raked up again. and no might
find it difficult, or even impossible. TO
clear himself"
Il never thought Of it," said Tommy.
with evident sincerity.
II don't suppose you did-you don't
think very much Of any one but yourself.
you know" said Nancy. very scornfully.
II have thought Of It, however, end ]
mean you to secure him from any such
risk"
Howl"
by leaving q written account behind
you OF Capt. Ovens death"
Il shall do nothing Of the kind! Do
you think I'm going to incriminate my
self in that way? No. Ill be shot II !
do" he cried. Indignantly.
Nancy eyed him coolly. Hanged. you
mean," she said, with extreme quietness
Tommy made a great start. Nancy"
he said, hoarsely. ARE you trying how far
you can got"
| wv, cAO ASpAAV0s otCuo1yp 4OE ! u6N6
no need. know exactly how far l can 60
and You also. You will sign that paper
before you leave this room." She
added, ''or l 60 straight to my father
with the whole story. II you were Q
man" with great scorn. you would be
only too glad to save q man who had
borne SO much for you from such risk;
but you are the same Stuart you have
been all along, bad, selfish and reckless to
the lowest depths Of your wicked heart. I"
"Beresford has not kept silent for me-"
muttered Tommy, sullenly.
NO, but he has done so for me-" she
rejoined: ''and therefore l am going TO
secure him from running any further risk
through your sin than he had done be-
fore"
You are going to do this and that; you
won't have the other" Tommy cried.
furiously. "'Pon my soul, Madame
Nancy, you will carry things too far, ii
you don't mind. | shall not stand very
much more Of your high hand, assure
you. By Jove! madame, " he Llurted out,
in vain attempt to bounce Nancy out ct
her stronghold, you forget yourself. Do
YOU know who ann"