The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-09-11

| ana QOI long aItef QlQner MIS-. haSllelBl
retired to bed. The next day it was no
much better, but early in the Afternoon
| he did find her alone. Willoughby Dock
| rell was too much of diplomatist to show
| his hand before he saw what his adversary
was likely to play, but still the time wal
short, his opportunities few, while the ad
vent of a fresh batch of visitors NIGH
| spoil the game completely. At the end o
quarter of an hours talk Mrs. Rashleigt
began to feel uncomfortable, and more
| than ever was she resolved to tell Majol
| Champion the whole story directly he ar
rived. She got away and shut herself uI
in her room until the first batch of new
guests were announced
"What in heavens name is that fellow
| doing down here?" was Champions first
question, when he found himself at last
alone with his hostess before dressing. She
was silent for a moment. but she did not
pretend not to know what he meant.
'Well, you see, he goes everywhere; he's
very clever and a sort of celebrity in his
way, and-I wish hadn't asked himP'
$50 do |" said Champion, fervently.
"But it's not only his coming that's the
matter" said Lefty, incoherently; "but
Pm sure he means to stay. He will never,
never CO."
"Oh. yes he will He'll go tomorrow
morning"
"Oh, Jack, can't have it. won't have
a row in this house. Why the newspapers
will get hold of it, and-I shall never for
give you if you do anything horrid"
"Im not going to do anything horrid.
shall just mention in the smoking room to-
scrbt l,.f Toh ha adifnp of Tho
ing Telephone, is coming down here tomor-
row for day or two"
'But. my dear Jack, Jobson isn't COM
ingl l don't even know him. How on
earth will that help us?"
"Wait and see. If the thing works, I'll
tell you all about it. You're ridiculous
little person, you know, and utterly unfit
to take care of yourself. You'd much
better let"-
There's the dressing bell, Jack. You're
getting impossible. shall send you away
tomorrow too"
And when the same evening, as the ladies
were going to their rooms, Mrs. Rashleigh
saw Jack Champion walking off with Dock
rell in the direction of the smoking room,
she felt pang of compunction at the inno-
cent plot she had assented to in order to get
rid of her brilliant guest
There were lots of letters by the morning
post, which came in while they were at
breakfast, but only one for Willoughby
Dockrell. He let it lie by his plate for
some minutes, and then, asking permission
of his hostess with his rather over elabo-
rate manner he slowly broke the seal.
"What borer" he said presently, when
he had laid down the note and deliberately
resumed his breakfast. 81 shall have to
go to town this morning by an early train.
Some bothering business which can't get
out Of"
Miss Rashleigh dares not look at Cham
pion, whose triumph now was complete.
Both had seen that Mr. Willoughby Dock
rell's letter was wallet shaped, adorned
with a silver monogram, and addressed in
bold feminine hand. The business"
then, was myth. And yet, womanlike,
she felt almost guilty when the dogcart
was at the door and the last goodbys
were being said. Dockrell, who for once
looked red and flustered, seemed to avoid
speaking to her alone. She murmQred
something about having the pleasure of
seeing him down there on some future oc-
casion. And yet, as they looked straight
at each other with the final hand shake,
Lefty knew that in all probability she
would never see him again.
what does it all mean?" said Mrs
Rashleigh sternly, few minutes later. 1t
was in the sanctum and there was no one
there but Jack. 1t was a mere trifie, but
it struck her that Major Champion did not
lounge in her favorite chair, but stood ten
tatively at the fireplace, playing nervously
with some tin bronze cats clashing GYM
balls, which she had brought from Vienna.
1.-THE magic name of Jobson worked the
miracle" said Champion, smiling "Job-
son knows something about your poet
which makes it-well, inconvenient for
them to meet. told you he would go.
Although the man has never been con-
victed, there's no moral doubt that he's
well, forger."
"Great heavensl" murmured Lefty, as
she thought of the intimate little notes she
had written him, of the long confidential
talks in London, of the still more compro-
missing interviews down here. And here
was Jack, who, whatever his faults, had
clearly never committed forgery, but
whom she had always snubbedl Mrs. Rash
leigh crossed the room to his side
How can l ever thank youPSshe whis-
pered, gazing at the half moons on his
necktie.
"Give me your hand"
Lefty gave it, wonderiugly, and he held
It firmly in his strong grasp.
81 am going to keep it for always" an
nounced Champion gravely.
What rubbish you talk. jack" whis-
oered the owner of the hand But she did
not take it away.-London World.