The Portland daily press., 1893-08-01

"To avoid suspicion ] reversed the or
der; mine is P. A."
"James," said Mr.. Pottles to the foot
man, "pack MIR. Allison's bag"
But Dora gave Peter the kindest and
most admiring glance as she murmured
softly to Adrian: They're lovely! Oh,
don't you wish you could write verses,
Mr.. PottlesY'
Adrian started. He had not bargained
for this, but Peter had overheard and
interposed.
81 am more than consoled by your ap-
prevail, Miss Chatterton." Mr.. Politics
called to Adrian, and he had to go in,
leaving Dora and Peter in close CONVEX
sation, and to assure his uncle solemnly
that he had been entirely disappointed
and deceived in Peter, and, worse still,
in Dora, and that he never wished to
see either of them again. Mr.. Pottles
shook him by the hand and forgave him.
Adrian passed wretched week. In
several newspapers he saw it openly
stated that Peter now admitted he was
the author of s'To Lalage." Peter wrote
that the fifty pounds was most conye-
nient, and that he had had a most
charming letter from Dora, and that all
the literary world was paying him most
fattering attentions. Adrian ground
his teeth, but he had to write back
thanking Peter for all his kindness:
Meanwhile Mr.. Pottles grew restless.
Every paper he took up was full of the
praises of s'To Lalage." The author
was becoming famous, and Mr.. Politics
began to doubt whether he had done
well to drive him forth with contumely.
adrian" he said suddenly one morn
ing, 81 don't know that I did justice to
young Allison. I shall have another
look at that book. I shall order it at
Smiths"
I'll happen to have copy" said
Adrian timidly
sect it," said Mr. Politics. Mr.. Pot
Ties read it-frst with deep frown, then
with a judicial air, then with SMILE,
lastly with chuckle.
"Ask him to dinner he said. "Dh,
and, Adrian, we'll have the Chattertons.
/ wish you could do something to get
your name up, my boy"
'You like it, uncle?"
Eyes, and I like the manly way he
owned to it. If he had prevaricated
about it I'd never have forgiven him.
After this Adrian did not dare to con-
fess. It was too bad. Here were both
his uncle and Dora admiring Peter for
his poems and crediting Peter with cpn-
dor and courage. He was to lose both
fame and Doral It was certainly too
much. A sudden thought struck him.
He went to town, called on Peter, and,
as the police reports say, "made a COM
munication" to him.
at makes me look scoundrelw OBJ
jected Peter.
''Two hundred-at six MONTHS" sug-
gested Adrian.
Sand she is nice girl No, FIN
dashed"---
ga monkey at threel" cried Adrian.
"Done!' said Peter.
It was sad tale of depravity on one
side and of self sacrificing friendship on
the other that Mr.. Pottles and Dora
Chatterton listened to that evening.
ssHe had made, said Adrian sadly,
ssa deliberate attempt to rob me of MY
fame before, and he repeated it. And
yet, uncle, an old acknowledgements
companion-how could betray him? It
was weak, but could not. / stood by
and let him deceive you"
2'sYou're a noble fellow" said Mr.. Pot
Ties in tones Of emotion.
Indeed, yes," said Dora, with IN
adoring glance.
"There, let us say no more about It, !"
pursued Adrian magnanimously. 81
have my reward" and he returned Do
ras glance behind Mr.. Politics broDd
back.
The next time he met Peter he said;
II am really immensely indebted to you,
old fellow. My uncle has come down
handsome, and if the monkey now would
be cow
ssBy Cad, yesl'' said Peter. He took it
in crisp notes and carefully poclSetsd
them.
Sand is Miss Dora kindT' he asked.
"She's an angel"
"And you are generally prosperous
sThanks to you, my dear old friend. )"
"Then," said Peter, producing a piece
Of paper from his pocket, ''you might
persuade your publishers to withdraw
this beastly thing" 1t was writ, and
it claimed an injunction to restrain Pc
ter from claiming the authorship OF "To
Lalage."
'Then you've been publicly claiming
it?.
'I had to keep up the illusion, Adrian.
Do me justice"
But" said Adrian, chow, Peter, does
it happen that the writ is dated the day
before we went to Clapham?"
He paused. Peter grinned uneasily.
A light broke i'll on Adrian.
"Why," he exclaimed, you're the
villain who
"Exactly. Wonderfully provident Of
me, wasn't it? What, you're not going?'
"Never let me see your face againp
aoid Adrian ssJ have done with Won :"