Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-19
lNre en- tout cas-
C'est le grand sOulas, -


the least concern:
"Vivre en- tout cas-
C'est lie grand sOulas,''
with glance at his daughters face, that vas
white to the lips, but firmly set.
"Hand me the nutmeg yonder," he said,
and then, why, daughter. what's this?-a
trembling handF
And all the while the footsteps were COM
ing up
There was loud knock on the door.
"Come imp called Sir Deakin.
At this, Jacques who stood ready for bat
tie by the entrance, wheeled round, shot a
look at his master and, dropping his point,
made a sign TO me to do the same The door
was thrust rudely open, and Capt Settle,
his hat cooked over one eye and sham drunk
snness in his gait, lurchcd into the room,
with the whole villainous crew behind him,
huddled on the threshold Jacques and !
stepped quietly back. 80 as to cover the girl
"Would you mind waiting momentl" in
quired Sir DeakIn, without looking up, but
rubbing the nutmeg calmly up and down the
crater; "a fraction too much, and the whole
punch will be spoiled"
It took the captain aback and he came to a
stand, ewing US, who looked back at him
posed him still further
There was a minute during which the two
parties could hear each others breathing.
Sir Deakin set down the nutmeg, wiped his
thin white fingers on a napkin, and addressed
the captain sweetly:
Before asking your business, sir, would
beg you and your company to taste this
liquor which, in the court Of Francen-the
Ill
ladle-''has had the extreme honor to be pro
nounced divine" He smacked his lips, and,
rising to his feet, let his right hand rest on
the silver foot Of the lamp as he bowed to the
captain.
Capt. Settles bravado was plainly oozing
away before this polite audacity; and seeing
Deakin taste the punch, he pulled off his cap
in a shamefaced manner and sat down by
the table with a word of thanls.
''Come in, sirs; come in" called the old
gentleman, land follow your friends ex
ample. Twill be a compliment to make me
mix another bowl when this is finished He
stepped around the table to welcome them,
stin resting his hand Oh the lamp, as if fol
steadineSs. l saw his eye twinkle as they
Ehuf1ed in and stood around the chair where
the captain was seated.
Jacques, bring glasses from the cupboard
yonder! And, Della, fetch some chairs fol
our guests-no, sirs, pray do not novel"
He had waved his hand lightly to the doOl
IS he turned to US; ami in an instant the in
tention as well as the bright success of thi
comedy flashed upon me There was now IL
one between US and the stairs, and as for Sil
Deakin himself, be had already taken the steI
Of putting the tables width between him ana
his guests
touched the girls arm, and we made as
TO fetch a couple Of chairs that stood agains
the wainscot by the door. As We did so, ST
Deakin pushed the punchbowl forward unde
the captains nose.
"Smell, sir" he cried, airly, land repor
to your friends on the fOretaSte"
Settles nose hung over the steaming com
pound. With a swift pass of the hand, tn
cid gentleman caught up the lamp and ha,
shaken drop of burning oil into the bowl
A great blaze leaped TO the ceuIng. kher
was q howi-a scream of pain; and as
pushed Mistress Della through the dOorwa,
and out to the head of the stairs, caught
backward glimpse Of Sir Deakin rushing
after US, with one Of the stoutest of the rot
bers at his heels.
Down stairs, for your hfel" whispere
90 the girl, and, turning, as Der father tun
bled past lns, let his pursuer run on m
,srord, as on q spit At the same instant, AZ
CHER blade passed through the fellow tran
.verreiy, and Jacques Eto0d beside me, wit
49, d he liHtels