Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-25


know not, but the shadow of the past
rose out of it, shutting out the present
utterly. No sooner was the pressure of
her presence taken off than my mind re-
bounded from the White Mouse. l for
got her very existence.
Blacker and blacker grew the Goals,
and with them the gloom of my thoughts
grew deeper and deeper; but, bitter as
they were, the cold became more bitter
still, and | was literally driven by it to
seek my own room.
AS entered the door | almost ran over
the hostler, who was still engaged in his
mysterious interview with Tom.
"And are you sure you understand
perfectly, Bosley?" the latter was saying,
eve must have no risk of a mistake this
trip"
81 got it all yere, plain as writin'," re-
sponded sagely he of the stables as he
tapped his forehead. "Let 'un zee
moon rises at three, starts at four, drives
nineteen miles in two hours and half,
and feeds light on cut feed and looks out
for Jalaps kickin' of his near foreleg."
Fright as a trivet, Bosley! You're a
trump, and this is yours" and Tom
chucked the fellow q bright half eagle as
he left the room. Then he jerked off his
coat and lighted an Havana.
could stand it no longer.
AS the grinning groom left the room l
turned upon Tom and prepared to charge.
"Hold bit, old boy" he said. 81
have treated you badly, know"
O,.f I
deigned to give.
eyes, | know it, but prudence was
essential. You're not riled?'
"Riled!'' answered, with forced calm
ness. Il can't see how you have used
me badly, but you must permit me to
say you have done yourself great in
Justice
Tom seemed little puzzled
"And you have done palpable,
gross injustice was grand now, doing
the outraged virtuous-'to an old per-
son who
"Oh, bother the old person. he inter-
rupted, carelessly. But then you have
really twigged what l am up to in the
morning?"
''In the morning." A ray of light be-
gan to dawn upon me.
Eyes, in the morning. I'm going to
now, old boy, don't look scared-rm
going to run away and be marriedr'
To be married. And in the morning!
The ray of light was binding gleam
now. l was literally staggered.
dropped into chair with big lump in
my throat
Eyes, my boy, I'm to be married in the
morning. You know I'd have told you
before, but Bet and only fixed it yester-
day. She arranged it all in the sleigh as
we came along; and, for reasons you
know SO well, we must be quick; I'm
done for if the old party suspects. But
it's all fi1.ed-you're to help me-"
81 help your gasped, family.
Certainly. Who else? You must come
with us; you must be best man: you
must go with us to Uncle Bob and help
Bet explain all about the
"Lieut. Jonesr-I rose stiffly and stood
at attention as TOMS eyes opened very
wide-"Lieut. Jones, have no criticisms
to make ON your cousins course. If she
desires to-
desires! the devil! Why, man, she
planned the whole thing-arrange the
Christmas frolic, suggested all the de-
tails of the elopement, and she specially
insisted you should aid u.s."
''She did?'
eyes; she said you were so fond of us
both you'd be glad to do it."
Oh, the cruel girl! the hardened, in
grained firt! This was why she had led
me on then. Tom kept on, speaking
rapidly, but with no sense to me in the
sound till I caught:
$50 you see, my dear boy, it was she
originated the affair; she planned every
detail, not l."
"Stop sir!' cried, hoarsely-my face
must have been purple; it felt black
''you have right to run away, perhaps
to stoop to anything you please-the
lady is to be your wife. But, by heaven!
you have no right to compromise your
cousin by saying these things"
"There's something in that" Tom NUT
tered, thoughtfully; II mustn't let Bets
name get out, of course. only told you,
you know" l gave grunt that was
meant for scalding sarcasm. "Bet will
tell you all about it herself"
''Oh, she WILL" painted.
''To be sure. She told me she Id
make it all right with you. That's what
we were talking about when you drove
over the cad today"
Oh, the cold blooded, heartless CO.
quette! To deliberately plan torment
for me thus! And he, my old school
mate, my bosom friend If the soft
answer that turneth away wrath had
been deadly weapon I should have
used it then. But it wasn't, so said no
word, only strode about the room, loosen
ing my neczcloth by fierce and sudden
tugs.
Tom, lying flat on his back and putting
little wreaths into the air, eyed me with
some wonderment. At last he said
cheerily:
"Well, old boy, don't take on so. It's
as sudden for me as it is for you, and
deuced sight more serious to boot. So
I'll count on you of course in the morn
ing"
"Count on mel l tell you I'll have
nothing to do with it. Your uncle Blythe
would never"-
"Porcornl say, Bet will make it all
right with Uncle Bob. | verify believe