Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-12-09


questions about him. He seems much
more interested than he naturally
would be, growing out of any ordinary
acquaintance in past years. i must
take him, of course. What want you
to advise me about is: Shall l 60 over
and speak to Mr.. Bostocl this morning
about him?"
Twas on the point of advising Al
phonse to do so, by all means, as GER
tainly should have done had Castex
been my visitor. have often thought,
that. had / obeyed my impulse, the
bloody combat that has been described
to you might have been avoided. Then
came the reluctance to interfere in q
matter of other mems social RESPONSE
bilities, and declined to advise him.
Alphonse returned home, and his guest
accompanied him to the dinner-party
unheralded.
1t SO happened that these two arrived
last. With them there were thirteen
in the parlors. the host making the
fourteenth. All who had been invited
were present, save one; and ! remem-
Der that as Mr.. Castex was presented
to the company, there was much re-
mark and jest about our good luck in
having him there, so as to avoid the
awkward thirteen at the table.
When he was introduced to the host,
a different scene occurred. Mr.. Bos-
took started, changed color, withdrew
his proffered hand and made slight
bow instead. CasteX smiled, bowed,
and turned away. In my eyes he had
a most disagreeable face. and the smile
was very nearly sheer.
II was an awkward incident, and
threw a chill over the party at the
start: for everybody observed it. Still,
there was no outbreak just then. Dim
ner was soon announced. and Mr.. Bos-
took led the way to the hall.
The host was at the head OF the
table. of course; happened to be at
the foot. Next on the right of the
head was doctor; next sat Basnet, his
friend beside him.
The soup had but just been served
when Coralie, then but twelve years
old. came to an open door and stood an
instant. She evidently desired to speak
to her father, but, seeing that he and
his guests were seated, she went away.
Castex saw her, and stared at her.
Directing the attention of Bostock to
her. he put question to him in French.
1t was answered in the affirmative.
Basnet says that the question was:
us that your child, monsieur"
Then. upon receiving the reply. Cas-
tex leaned over the angle of the table
and made a rapid rejoinder also in
French. Basnet distinguished the
words: Wife" avenged" and New
Orleans" More than these nobody I'M
derstood
Nobody but the host. The remark,
whatever it was. was for his ears, and
he heard every word of it. lie looked
at CasteX-horror. Indignation. hate.
were in the look. The attention of
the whole table was fastened upon the
scene
"Gentlemen." said Bostock. some
thing very disagreeable has occurred.
| could pardon much in man sitting
at my table and eating my salt: but !
saw now that either Napoleon Castex
or must leave this table. Well know
ing that his presence in my house and
at nv board would be idiocy, he has
taken advantage of u social license
to force himself upon me. That could
endure in silence. out of regard for my
friends. that nothing unseemly might
occur here. But he is not content with
that exhibition of his malignant heart;
he has just this moment put upon me
an insult which cannot and will not
tolerate. Ii could | know not what
next to expect from him. irepeat it
either he or must leave this table"
In the painful silence that succeeded
this startling rpecch> all eyes were
fixed on Caster. lie rose from his seat,
cool and smiling
III nls,-c. me- very much to retire."
ne said. Witness it. mcssieurs.--yon-
der gentleman drives me from his table
and his house"
He bowed. and immediately left the
room. Alphonse Basnet squirmed in
his chair. and at last blurted out:
"Bostock. my dear fellow - excuse
mc-but you see can't remain. This
is a wretched business; hope il will
end here. But brought my friend
here. and of course ] must go with
him