The morning call., 1890-05-02
NETTLESHIP'S SCORE.
IY.-CoSTINUED.


i nave good news for you, sir; good news at
last. Mi Nettleship."
Have You indeed ?" said NettIeship colby.
The mans congrajulatory tone would have been
offensive TO INN under any circumstances.
"Well, think have sir. That little Indian
vase has been taken by lady customer, on ap-
"on approval, eh?" cried Nettleshp
"Well, yes; but you may rely upon II that 1t Is
In safe hands; and may tell you that / have
every reason TO believe they will keep II and pay
the price -.,-.., IT., 1T,
Keep II nor pay the price. You must get 1t back
from them at once. Money Will not buy IL now"
II have had a narrow escape" continued Net
tleship. / have discovered that that simple
looking vase is absolutely priceless"
Tile shopman whiStled and turned red.
$50 must ask you. If you please, to send a
special messenger for 1t at once 10 a hanson.
Nay. my g0oc sir, I'll pay you for the trouble
aud expense at your own fgure-only send of
your messenger at once"
But the tradesman's confusion had nothing to
do with lie young mans request. II was simply
accounted for by an overwhelming sense OF
marvellous bargain missed-througn an imperfect
knowledge OF Eastern relies and an exaggerated,
narrow minded, imbeclle regard for craze.
! he request, indeed, was Immediately COM
piled With. In the course OF an hour the messen-
returned with tie vase, and brought word
from Mrs. Mcllwlaith that her custom ceased
fIOm that hour. NeltieShiD paid up as literally
Tor The trouble as the dignity Of Messrs. Gindont
Won permit. jumped into the emissarys han
son. ana drove of TO the Temple with his treas
ufe. lie entered his chambers In high eXulta-
ton the prospect OF tile score looked even
IoSler-and UNNECESSARILY rosier-than when he
had left his chambers an hour ago.
1lai Was on The Satulday. Netteship- waited
patiently until lie following Tuesday, which
was MIS-. McIlwraiths day for receiving callers.
Al halfpaSt 10 The minute on the Tuesday
afternoon lie presented himself In Sussex square.
Even as lie was announced the flowing speech
OF Mrs. Professor Josng fell upon his ears and
NetlleShlp scented the vase. He received
Win hdwless outward serenity. sat down
modesliy IN an obscure corner (WHICH however,
commanded line view OF the hostess faceJ and
hajtefed Mrs. Josling with peculiarly earnest
attention as that lady resumed her interrupted
narration.
well as was saying was prepared to in.
terest my husband with my little reproduction
Of the tracefy; Ia, did not expect to admins
Ter galYanic st TX, my dear Mrs. McIlwTaith.
He pushed lack Ills proofs ana said-tudeed |
DON'T know what he didn't say. He is so ex-
clabe, tile IrolessOr-and nervous, and almost
HTltable-wheu he Is busy with uronfs. The
aitisuc temperament, Mrs. McllwraIth; for, as
you know, the professor is man of letters as
well IS scientist. But above all lie a viTtuOso;
and my crude reproduction absorbed him at the
time TO The exclusion OF all other subjects. At
INST l could learn nothing. he was lost In rapt
contemplation Of the design. But at last he told
NE mat your vase must be very valuable pos
session indeed; that lie only knew of one other
like II In existence, aud that in The British Mu-
scum. The quaint figures on the vase, lie SAYS.
probably represent scenes in the life of Gautama
Buddha which would complete the resemblance
10 tie museum vase. But, TO be quite sure he
would Ike above all things to see the vase itself,
lie desired me TO tell you this, aud 10 crave, on
his Behalf the favor of permits sion to call quietly
one afternoon and thoroughly examine the vase"
Poor, miserable Mrs. McIlWrallh! To be asked
favor by the renowned Professor Josling, and
such a favor; 10 have Professor Josling inviting
himself 10 her house, IN the most delightful, un-
eeTemonlous, frleuoliest fashion; aud 10 be pow
erless 10 say him yea or nay, or 10 do anything
but SIT IN hel chair and gasp for breath! II was
2 terrible punishment FOR few harmless TARA
uidd es such rs were every day demanded from
tie most ylrtnous by the eXigencies of town llfel
" lie would have accompanied me this after
InziI IN IL. hnn
b. Is sending the iual sheets OF the revise 10 the
printers this evening"
That lie had mol come that afternoon was
small mercy, II he was bent upon coming sooner
or later, but Mrs McIlwraith had never felt so
Than Jul for anything in her life as for the pro-
lessons present pressing engagements. She
shuddrTed as she figured in her mind the scene
she had escaped. She glanced toward the door
in apprehension, dieading, even yet, TO see him
enter al any moment. An acquiescent smile OF
ghasUy serenity froze upon her lips; she
wrenched ana wrung hei fingers with such quiet
violence that the diamonds Oh one hand must
have cut lie hesh OF tile other had the hands been
And SO, my dear Mrs. McIlwraith-if you are
certain that lie Will not bother you'll you are
guile sure lie VIII not be In your way-if you are
positive thar II VIII not weary you TO entertain
for one short hour. If as much, an old aud ardent
uslast- why, then, might we say one after
noon this week."
Mrs. McIlwraith bowed. For the life of her
she could not melt or modify or In any way alter
the horrid grin that had settled upon her rigid
cOunlenance.
'ro-morrow," suggested Mrs. Joslng, whose
manner was an Ingenious blend of persisteucy
to,motrUw, perhaps, would not do p"
hen at last and with a desperate effort Mrs.
Mcliwraith loosened her tongue. Mrs. Josng
was begged 10 understand that tomorrow after.
noon would, as 1t happened, do beautifully. The
professor would be only TOP welcome at what
ever hour he chose 10 come. AS for Mrs. Nc
llwraiLb, her feelings had temporarily prevented
her from expressing herself. She apolOglzed for
The weakness; but. indeed, nobody could tell
what lulde and pleasure Ii was TO think that
her simple little relic should attract the attention
OF so distinguished connoIsseur The last SEN
tence almost stuck in her throat half way. 1t was
helped out only by Tremendous resolve 10 be
taken with sudden sickness that very night and
ordered Oh TO The country by her physician the
next day.
So The professors visit was arranged; and
Neitieshlp, sitting like mouse 10 his obscure
corner, admired Mrs. McIlwraith for the first
thine In his life, aud determined to make amends
IN the future for the torture he was inflctlng
upon her In the present. Nor did he add TO the
latter by contributing a single word to this part
OF the conversation. On the contrary, when Mrs.
Josiing was seen with pince-neZ eveled InquIr-
ingly at the little plush table that supported the
vase no longer, II was young MIR. Nettleship, aud
DO one else, who adroitly decoyed the lady's at
trntion and came 20 the rescue second time
WIN 1ehcitous change of subject. Thereafter
NE conversation gradually drifted into safer
ebanhels; and presently, one by one, the people
vent until there was nobody left but young NJ r.
Neitleship in his quiet corner, Then he too got
up 10 go, and bent over his hostess with I'M
passive face and outsiretched hand But Mrs.
Mellwraiih refused his hand-or rather, did not
wv w va " hiScI lt-Uub lOOhcu MIN Iull Ill
the face and said:
"Do not go just yet. Enid, my love, 1 hear
your brothers making dreadful noise in the
school, oom 90 10 them" Enid went Elaine
bad already gone. snow, Mr.. Nettleship, sit
down there; 1 want to have a little chat with
YOU"
Nettleship took the low chair pointed out TO
him; II was almost at the lady's feet. He had
counted on something OF this sort, but not In a
manner quite so calm and unruffied. After all
she was wonderful wOman-a woman capable
OF coping with the occasion. perhaps. II was
possible, quite possible, that 10 score of such a
woman might prove a more difficult task than 1t
had appeared al first sight, But Nettleshp had
never in all his life either feared or despised the
bowling before going in. He went in now on his
mettle.
Mrs. McIlwraItn opened the attack by coming
10 me point In the very first sentence.
about this vase. You know something about
II, MIR. Nettleship; more than | do. II would APP
pear: Tel me what you know"
Nettleship drew up his shoulders an inconsjd.
20 cradle fraction Of an inch,
never heard You speak OF 1t before last
his .Ii, You Kept your heirloom so dark. Mrs.
but with caution-lne bases upon which most
scores are built.
Indeed! l will not ask YOU not to he Inn.
pe,uhenl;, L Will merely ask you where you saw
why. Mrs. McIlwraith, can't remember
exclaimed NetIleship.
Mrs. McIlwraith tried palmer ball.
You snow as well as do that one cannot al
ways tell The truth in trif1es"
:" / know that one does not"
VERY well. You Will readily understand 1t
when tell you that this stupid vase is no heir
loom at all"
II understand that perfectly. But-but which
vase ?''
He swung about 10 his chair, with hall. closed
eyes and charming neck, looking for what was
NOT there. II was an effective stroke
The vase is no longer In my house." said Mrs.
hcHwrath. You knew that too"
nip glanced at her swiftly. "Did YOU
oDly get II Oh approval ?n
that?" 'NN 'A''
perhaps go to GlindonPs now and then"
DO y0uW demanded Mrs McIIwraith
plainly. And, indeed, the Indirect stage was
"Well. yes"
"That is where you saw 2"
zone OF The places"
then?" -N'
''Yes, i did,
"1llen who Is the owner?"
"YOu wish 10 known"
81 have asked you"
" Well. then, am the owner myself Icame
BY The vase III India. Glindoni was trying to sell
II for me-
They were sitting near window The sun had