Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-09-03
UPSET IN A SQUALL.

One evening, when had been a
member of the Stole Club two OF
three weeks, and was already ac-
quainted with most of its members,
/ was sitting in the smoking-room
with my friend Fred Warwick, lawyer
and literateur like myself, but con-
siderably more successful in both
capacities We were alone, and our
conversation had begun to flag, when
the door quietly opened, and a man
whom had not seen before lounged
in. Exchanging friendly greeting
with Warwick, he threw himself into
a chair at the opposite side of the fire
and lit a cigar. To me every ''Stoic"
was an object of much interest and
some awe, and therefore took good
look at the new conner. He was a
man Of about thirty, rather over the
middle height, and with certain
grace in every movement and attitude.
His features were handsome and his
expression = though his face had
lighted up as he recognized my friend
was thoughtful and almost melan-
choly. This air was heightened BY
dark, wistful eyes and heavy, droop-
ing black mustache, contrasting
wildly with complexion of unusual
pallor. The whole appearance of the
man was striking and even distin-
guished.
Scarcely had he begun to smoke his
cigar when a servant entered and
handed him a note. He read and re-
read it, and then gazed doubtfully
into the fire, passing his hand across
his forehead with gestute Of per-
plexity. Then he rose, and. turning
aside little drew something from his
pocket. From where I sat lcould
see, as the light fell on his hand, that
1t contained a little heap Of silver, in
the midst of which glittered one soli-
tary gold piece. After apparently
reckoning the amount, he babe my
companion goodnight and hastily left
the room.
"Who's that?" I asked. as the door
closed.
THAT" rejoined Warwick, whose
usually cynical face had worn. as he
spoke to the other, a cordial, almost
tender, expression. 'Oh, that is poor
Revelle."
"Why 'poor?'"
stBecause he is poor, I suppose.
But he's one of those fellows with
whose names the adjective seems ma
turally coupled, half in love and half
in pity"
Thoroughly interested by this time
in the handsome stranger, I pressed
my friend with further questions, and
with that learned the story Of poor
Revelle.
He came o. good family, and his
father, the owner of small estate,
had in his day made no mean figure in
politics Young Revelle, educated at
Elton, was intended for similar
careeer, but on the fathers death it
was found that through neglect and
reckless speculation his affairs were
hopelessly involved. The more Re-
velle looked into them the blacker
did the prospect appear. The old
estate had to 60. and Revelle faced
the world stripped Of his possessions,
but with his rigid sense Of honor sat-
isfled and his fathers debts paid to
the the uttermost farthing. He had
saved from the wreck Of his fortunes
sunlcient to make provision for a
sister and two maiden aunts, his only
near relatives, and leave scanty pitt
tance for himself
STRUGGLING upward from his icy
plunge, he began to experience some
ching Of a bracing sensation, when he
received q blow more stunning than
any mere reverse Of fortune. he had
been betrothed to beautiful girl, q
second cousin Of his own having been
an unsuccessful aspirant to her favor,
and having since engaged himself to
Revelle's sister. On discovering his
altered position, Revelle had at once
released his 0ancee from her engage
ment and his old rival had treacher-
ously seized this opportunity Of urg-
ine his claims, and that successfully
This double treason would have had
. petrifying effect on . heart less sem
sitave than our poor Reyelle'a Rob
bed at one swoop Of birthright mis-
tress and friend, he turned his back
upon old associations, courteously de-
clining some half-hearted Offers Of Is
sistance After various expedients to
exc ont his little income, it was sug-
rested to him to utilize talents dis
played in olden days - an amateur
actor. and adopt the stage Is pro-
feesion. He did 90, with the usual
result The clever amateur was .
little better than . s'stick" on the
professional boards Reyelle, how
ever, found the calling sufficiently to
his liking, and - his moderate abil-
ity Was aided by personal and other
advantage$ he had seldom much diff
6culty in obtaining provincial en-
RaeementA For the present he was
ont Of harness, and had come TO Lon
don. the headquarters Of the theat-
ricnl, q Of eyery other, market He
Aad certainly nttae clain t. b .