The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-05-07
CHAPTER III.

My head was in whirl and my pulses
throbbing wildly as | hurried through dress
ing for dinner, for we were dreadfully late
getting home that evening. had hardly
time to think over what had happened.
Now, whatever comes, must see Mr..
Heavyhand and tell him all; Yes all. Igroan
as | think how much is at stake now.
There is a stranger with Rita and her
uncle when | arrive in the drawing room,
dusky with red-shaded lights. Mr.. Heavy
hand seemed greatly excited as he intro
duced him as ''Mr. Eustace Heavyhand,
one of US, Wonderful, is it not, another
turning up Just now? One of the Lincoln
shire branch, you know, descended from
Eadwi Ablericson- wonderful y and the
old gentleman beamed on US all in a
high state of delight 1t seemed that the
stranger had arrived that day during our
absence.
| was thunderstruck. Here was a com =
plication had never thought of. Was
the newcomer a brother impostor or was
he genuine article? If so, the greater
would be my downfall | eyed him sus-
piciously-it seemed to me he did the
same. In the dim light | could not make
out his features, but there was something
curiously familiar about his figure which
puzzled me,
We made a move to the dining room, [
securing Rita's shy little hand on my arm.
How quiet she was, usually so merry; the
spell of that twilight scene so lately over
was still upon her, | could tell by her fut-
tered air | felt triumphant as conqueror,
though somewhat uneasy because of the
new arrival.
Arrived in the brightly lit dining-room,
| looked keenly at him, and met his eyes
in anxious scrutiny of me.
'Hulloa the Sponger, by Joye p cried
in amaze, recognizing at once familiar
figure of my Bohemian haunts in Paris.
My righteous indignation knew no bounds.
This was no Heavyhand-th was an i'm
impostor
Rita and her uncle turned in surprise at
my exclamation, and the "Sponger" and
| stood glaring at each other across the
glittering dinner table, the servants gaping
in the background.
regretted having spoken, but it was
too late now The "Sponger" had quailed
on being first recognized, but looked defiant
now, and inclined to brave it out,
''Do you know Mr., Eustace?" began
the old gentleman, but | cut him short,
rudely, no doubt. | must expose such a
scandalous imposition.
"Know him? | should think so, every
one in Paris knows him. He is no Heavy
hand. sEustance' he may be, but Eustace
McCabe, an Irishman known as the 'Spon-
ger, and very well named, too" was
fairly choking with wrath that my kind old
host should be so imposed upon, and the
"Sponger" had played me an evil trick in
the old days, or | would not have been so
hard upon him.
'Dear me, dear me, are you sure you are
not mistaken?" said the old gentleman in
bewildered tone, turning from one to the
other as we stood there, and McCabe took
heart of grace and began to bluster, Itwas
shameful that a "gintleman" should be so
treated; was not his word as good as mine
| gave him to understand that knew OF
certain affair not much to his credit in
Paris, which quieted him, but poor Mr..
Heayyhand was quite nonplused.
''But this-er- gentleman was well up
in the family history. There seemed no
doubt that he was one Of the Lincolnshire
branch. Eadwi, you know" The poor
old gentleman could not give up his newly,
found Heayyhand without struggle, and
McCabe struck in with reyiviag hopes,
"Iquite convinced my elderly relative
"Relstiye T. | cried in scorn, ''he is no
more relative of yours than he Is of mine
that is, mean should say" here
broke down painfully, and had to summon
all my righteous Indignation TO sustain ME.
/ turned To Mr. Heavyhand. "Sir, de-
nounce this mau; he is an impostor. Here
again Ibroke down, my eloquence received
sudden check atthat fatal word impostor.
IF McCabe was one what was ? Could
I expose his fraudulent intentions aud cover
him with shame and confusion Of face.
when like fate threatened myself2 What