The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1891-11-07

OeSA pIeuGy Vi RAIN, anu Mlcnaol en-
larged upon the Doggy state of tn,
ground which they were destined to en-
counter that morning. He proposed al
early start, and breakfast was no sooner
over than they retired to get into gait
ers and shooting boots. But Michael
alone in his room, seemed in no hurry
to get ready. He had left his door
ajar, and was eagerly listening. After
few minutes he heard the doctors
bell ring violently, and this was shortly
followed by animated conversation with
the footman who answered the sum
mons
Anything the matter, Carious2" he
called across the passage
''Why, yes; it's most extraordinary
thing could have sworn I packed
some shooting boots, and what's more
extraordinary, John here says he could
have sworn that he unpacked some;
but devil a pair to be found. / sup
pose they can't have got with yours?'
Come and see," said Michael, but
search though they did high and low,
DR.. Carious' boots could not be found.
''And l am afraid mine would be
rather tight for you," finally said
Michael ''I'll tell you what, though, 1"
as happy thought seemed to strike
him, there are rows upon rows of
boots of all kinds in my uncle's dress
ing room; suppose we see if his will fit
you"
No sooner said than done, and in an
other minute two pairs of stout boots
had been selected, and Michael stood
by while the doctor sat down to try
them on The left foot was excellently
accommodated and he forthwith set
himself to negotiate the right boot.
But here he was doomed to meet with
disappointment. When half way on
his toes were baked of their expected
lodging
Halo" he cried, ''this boots got
something in it. It's blocked up at the
end"
"By Jove," said Michael, show in
formally stupid of me. I forgot all
about that"
Forgot all about what?" said the
doctor quickly.
"Why, about my uncle's toes, of
course. Surely you know he has none
on his right foot9"
''No toes on his right footl Why,
what's become of them9"
''Well, there, you ask me what
good many people would like to know.
I'm sure don't"
"Do you mean to say, seriously, that
all your uncle's right boots are padded
like this because he's got no toesp'
'Well, you can go and see for your
self. He's supposed to have lost them
just before he went to New Zealand,
about forty years ago, but, of course,
ever refers to it."
"Now you mention it, of course
Mr.. Smith does walk bit lame. I al
ways assumed that the old gentleman
was equity. Indeed, he's said as much
more than once"
"That's what the lawyers call legal |
fiction" said Michael laughing, as he
led the way back into his uncle's room.
A further examination showed that |
the boots and shoes for the right foot |
were one and all blocked up inside for
about one-third of their length from
the toes.
During the whole of that day DIR.
Carious' mind kept recurring to the
subject, and, do what he would, Michael
could not prevent him from constantly
dwelling on the mystery.
The next morning at breakfast the
doctor announced his intention of re-
turning forthwith to town. He had,
he said, received news which made it
for him to trespass longer on
Mr.. Smiths hospitality. He was evi-
IDENTIFY in a perturbed state of mind,
and, when Michael hoped he had slept
well, he answered shortly that, on the
contrary, he had passed very dis
;urbed night indeed.
The following day Miss Lama Smith
'eceiyed this lo+tn-.
HARLEY STREET, W., Oct. 6.
DEAR MISS SMITH-By an extraordinary
oncatenatlon OF circumstances have be-
ONE the depository of most tragical secret
laving very intimate connection with your
amtly. 1t Is secret which from its very ma
ure know you to be ignorant OLA secret
which, you ever did become aware Of it.
would hopelessly imbitter your existence; but
till it is a secret which need never be made
,nown, and In being uninformed of which you
viii be most happy.
AS have more than once told you, consider
hat between those who are destined to be
United In marriage there should be no conceal
nent. You will therefore, am sure, realize
nth me that, terrible though It is to utter
hese words of farewell, am bound to ask you
release me from an engagement which un-
oward circumstances render practically i'm
ossible. pray you not to ask me to be more
xpncit. 1t would only be under the most
tringent compulsion that could be induced
divulge what by such an extraordinary CO.
incidence has come to my knowledge. I am,
ours sincerely, CHARLES CAR1ous,
LAMA promptly handed the letter to
Ter father and watched his face.
"Why, what the blazes is the fellow ,
eferring to2" roared Mr.. Smith, when ,
e read it, with his Characterization of ,
and his 'tragical secret, t
which would imbitter your existence if i
on ever became aware of it, and his '
not being induced to divulge It but {
nder the most stringent compulsionY
Why, l suppose the fellow thinks we
hall bring an action against him for
reach OF promise of marriage and :
)rce him in the witness box tn Give =