Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-20


in his garden and with more destructive effect
than ever before. When the news was brought
to Frank he was at breakfast. Adela saw how
pale he turned and broke out worriedly:
'-Oh. Frank, don't mind it SO much; there's
no use" .....--S-. ~.
mo use?" he replied And then he gave q
little curt, dry laugh. Life isn't worth living
if we've got to bear such insults as these"
He left the breakfast room and went out into
his garden What he saw there made him turn
paler yet Happening to let his eyes stray
across the broken fence he perceived Rothsay,
who stood in converse with one of his farm
hands.
Frank went nearly as close up to the fence
as its bars would allow.
"Mr. Rothsay," he called.
Either having previously feigned not to see
Frank or in truth not having seen him. Roth
say now turned with a cool "Well?" and slight
arrogant fiutter Of the eyelids.
Il have only this to tell you," rang Franks
next words. IF any OF your cattle cross into
my land again will shoot them-and shoot
them dead"
He walked away, almost fearing to remain
there longer. lest he should quite lose control
OF his temper; and on Adela's account this
would be an event keenly undesirable.
He omitted to bear in mind during that
same day. however, what an undesirable
course IL would be to let liquor gain with him
the least Roadway. II is always very easy to
drink in Wall street. If one is SO inclined. To
the habltual drinker, indeed. abstinence is
difficult ordeal. since he is at every turn as
sailed by old convivialists who crave his COM
pany.
Frank narrowly escaped missing his usual
trNin that afternoon. The moment Adela looked
Mt him she Felt that something was wrong He
hal of late always drank claret at dinner, and
now he drank il more freely than ever. These
fresh rotations loosened his tongue in an I'M
wonted way, aud set him talking with hot
vshemeDce Of Rothsay's insoient behavior
lie declared TO Adeia that his plans were fully
formed. Matthew and himself were to take
turns in keeping guard over the vegetable
garden all night for the next three weeks
Either of them would be armed with q pistol,
and the first head of cattle that showed itself
on the Amory grounds should receive bullet
in It's brain.
Adeia silently shivered az she heard OF this
resolve. In her weak and over-sensitive state
it wis cruelty upquestionable for Frank to
speak as he did. Still, he no doubt guilt
less OF the least really unkind intention. And
yet apart from alarming Adela, his conduct
wounded her to the core. After dinner he lit
q cigar and left her. apparently quite oblivious
that she had seated herself on the little piazza,
according to custom. and was waiting for his
presence there at her side. Adela strove to
console herself with the thought that after all
it was not half SO bad as 1t might be- True.
Frank had evidently drank during the day and
those subsequent glasses of claret had not by
any mcan cleared his brain. Bat now, thank
heaven. he was there at D. and not in New
York. Tins evening she would try and persuade
him to go TO bed early. Then tomorrow morn
| ing he would be changed man, dreadfully
sorry and contrite. as he always was after
| similar follies.
So Adela sat there building her little castle
Of hope, which Frank suddenly appeared and
| demolished rs though it had been a child's
! house of cards.
I'm going over to the hotel for a little
| while, he said.
Over to the hotcl!'' repeated Adela, with the
color dying out OF her face. "Oh, Frank!
You'd better noti"
He looked at her some what annoyedly. az
shan be long," he said. II heard John Traf-
| to see him."
He walked away, putting his cigar, while
Adela watched him with O quick throbbinQ
heart He had never left her like this before.
Once or twice she was on the verge of flying
after him to the gate, but something restr aimed
her. IL was not pique, for Of that she was in
capabie-at least toward him.
| the piazza until the heavens had become
\ Whitley throngcd with stars BY degrees abe
grew more and more concerned about Frank
Nine O'Clock changed into ten and vet he did
not return. Finally she decided to visit the
hotel grounds herself-they were only very
short distance of. Might breezes were whit.
| pering in the boughs Of chestnu.s and iocusts
| rs Adela stole along the lawn of the hotel
Presently she saw Hood of light pour out
upon the gloom and in An apartment under
meath the grea: portico she discerned q group Of
men. Among these was Frank; he seemed
wretchediy intoxicated; his gait was stag
gering and he held . glass uplifted IN
one hand His voice came 70 her india
tinctly. and yet she knew that he was
talking In the most excited way. Was il about
Rothsay and the fence? She could NOT be
quito sure, but certain words almost convinced
her. Soon afterwsrd she recognized Rothsay
and then she became. aware that bitter quaf-