Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-03-02
CHAPTER vI-conr1NuED.

CHAPTER VI-CoNrINuED
Fitzhugh looked keenly at the speak
CT, missed at last, and, leaning on his
cue, was about to speak earnestly, but
changed his mind and only asked:
Shoot much now? Much game down
IN the counties?''
Lots! 1 go down often,'' Meredith
answered, growing more glib under the
mixture of cognac and champagne.
Say, Peyton, there's. bigger game in
Prince Georges now" He checked
himself suddenly, with a shrewd leer at
the others impassive face. ''Rare days
we dad use to have in old times, Ell?
Guess aods rather fond of tear for
. youngster Remember that sum-
mer at Capon, just before the war,
when | fell Waiting with Carolyn
Again he checked himself, more alb
ruDtly and with more of effort, aiming
intently at his ball
|'Fhey We're jolly days." Fitzhugh
said. Here's to their return-after the
war;
He filled both glasses brimming.
Meredith gulped his eagerly, to the last
drop; but the other man, seemingly
eager for his turn at the balls, placed
bis glass on side-stand, scarcely
Eouched.
''say, Peyton, old boy Meredith
cried suddenly, as his opponent finished
= small run which he neglected to
count. II used to think that summer
you we're pretty soft on her"
Indeed? On whom?"
Carolyn Clay. She pds a beauty,
thocgh. George! how she could ride
and shoot. y perfect thoroughbred!
E11t you did seem pretty hard hit!''
<'Did I? Pom my word, I'forget," Fitz-
hugh retorted, with controlled tongue;
l1E1t his eyes glowed, as they measured
the other man, now stretching instead
lily across the table. ''What ever became
of Miss Clay?''
-'She's all right, old boy! She
Suddenly Meredith checked himself,
steadying his body against the cushion,
as he gazed at his querist with stare
meant to be penetrating, but too large
" tinctured with alcohol ''She's some
where over in Virginia, suppose
swell, 1 hope we may meet-in the
spring" Fitzhugh answered, quietly;
and he refilled the others glass, adding
u drop to his own full one. ''Here's to
good old times, Carroll!''
-'To old times it is! Damn it, Peyton,
meeting you does bring 'em back!
Many jolly tear, eh?" and he gulped
down the fiery cognac as it had been
water. ''Ah, that's the stuff! You're
right! Woman's wine, champagne
What were we saying?-Carolyn Clay?
Yes; she's grand girl!-she's soldier!-
Peyton, OF boy, if 1 wasn't pledged-if
dared-I might tell you something to
'stonish- Whose shot is it9 Mine?''
He broke off abruptly, turning to the
table and playing wildly, but counting.
Again Fitzhugh's eyes sought the clock
anxiously. 1t marked the quarter to
twelve.
-'Game!' he cried, suddenly. ''I'll bet
yon a -terrapin supper you can't beat
nc, the next game we play. This room
is too hot. Come, let's get into the air
One night-cap, and I'll walk home with
you-''
Again he filed the glasses with steady
hand. Again Meredith drained his,
lurching heavily towards the hat-rack
Then the two locked arms, passing into
the black December night. The cold
wind, contrasting to the close room,
drove the alcohol fumes faster to Mere
dith's brain, loosening his legs and his
tongue in equal degree.
-tYes, sir! Carolyn Clay's soldier, ev'ry
inch! Braves girl yo' ever heard o.
An litt1 VIII Mckee, he gabbled on,
with q chuclzle-''tha' httP shrimp!-
Peyton, you'd new s'pect society beau
like him-damn sush pavement!-you'd
new s'pect shrimp like him-KnowI can
trust you, OF boy! But he's riskin' OF
capitol
When Peyton Fitzhugh had found
Carroll Meredith's night-key, left him
IN his room, and turned once more into
the night, he muttered to himself:
"a gentleman in soul, with big
heart! God forgive the poor fellow
and me! But l had to do itr'
Pulling his soft hat down over his
face, and throwing the collar of his
long ulster high about it, the spy strobe
rapidly through the deserted streets,
turned into an alley-way, and halted
before a low arch, where a sentry
walked lazily. The man came to a