The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-11
SyEhat. all njghto"

me?'' he asked, suddenly facing about
SIT means ruin-nothing more mol
less
Very sorry
''You can have no feeling in the mat
ter" he interrupted, bitterly. 1T is your
work You are used to it. L have a
dinner party here to-night-a semi
social, semi-business affair, and the
presence of that man." he. pointed tc
the stubborn Johnson. who was calmly
| filing his pipe, whose mission no one
can mistake, will ruin my credit
have weighty affair on hand, which,
if it comes off, viii bring rue in four or
| FIVE thousand pounds sterling to-mor-
row. Tonight settles it one way or
! the other. Your mans presence can
bring about but one termination
ruin.'
stood there. my hand nervously rest
ing upon the handle of the door. What
could L do?
For Gods sake" he continued, lind
some means to leave me free this one
night. | will enter any undertaking.
You shall have double the amount
claimed tomorrow. He must not re-
main"
HE must. I said, firmly. 81 cannot
withdraw him"
And / turned the handle of the door
my foot was upon the threshold.
Look here he said, his face bright
ening with hope, you are presentable
sort of fellow
Thanks.
81 beg your pardon" (He saw the
quick flush mount my forehead.) 81
did not mean to insult you. VIII you
remain here?"
The question was SO unexpected that
l hardly knew what to answer.
what good would my remaining
here do?'' | asked. There are many
possession men quite as respectfully
dressed as ! an-at present Suspicion
would he aroused all the same We're l
seen hanging about.
You misunderstood me. You would
attend the dinner as a guest"
] looked down at my clothes.
Il viii lend you dress suit. We are
about the same cut. VIII you stay? L
shall be eternally obliged"
| did not trouble to go further into
the matter.
Give me your warrant, johnson. l
will remain. OF course. you'll be paid
all the same, and you must resume pos
session tomorrow morning"
Mr.. Leveson gave me look of deep
gratitude
Your man shall not suffer" he said.
"Here and keep your tongue quiet"
Johnson flushed with pleasure
thick 'un,. eh?" Mr.. Leveson had
given him half a sovereign.
Now said my host, as he closed the
door after Johnson, away with all dis
tinction. You are my guest. | expect
the others in an hour or so. You had
better go and dress. My man will give
You all you require"
He rang the bell.
eco with this gentleman. Parker
Whatever he asks for let him have"
/ followed Parker into one of the bed
rooms
Well I unused, as the man laid
the garments l required before
me, this is one of the strangest
events of my very checkered career.
Who would ever have thought half an
hour ago that l should have again
donned full dress and associated, SO far
as eXternals go, on terms of equality
with recognized members of society
l, the hailiff, to remain the possession
man, and, in becoming the possession
man, TO ape the guest? What a series
of improbable events in few minutes.
wonder what will be the end of it
alp"
l made my toilet at my leisure, en-
joying the sensation of once more DON
ming the garments of civilization.
There is one comfort" | reflected,
as / made my way to the dining room,
there is no need on my part to force
good manners, and be upon my best be-
havior. Thank Heaven. | shall be no
fish out of water, whoever Leveson's
friends may be" From that moment /
determined to cast aside all thoughts OF
the past and to enter fully into the
spirit of the evening | knew that the
more l did this the better l should
please the host.
l entered the room. Mr.. Leveson was
taking with young fellow of about
my age. / saw kind of fear come
into his eyes as | walked towards him.
Evidently" | said to myself, The is
already alarmed as to how l shall con-
duct myself. He fears that the bailiff
may leak out through the dress trap
pings"
Sorry to have kept you waiting such
a devil of time, Leveson, old boy, but
You know Jack Moreton was never one
to hurry himself"
His look of establishment was most
amusing. Was this the bailiff. this the
clerk who had just LETT him? The men
ton of my name-the real one, by the
by-was IA hint to him which he ac-
cepted readily.
He laughed and said:
NO. You are right there. You're
the LATEST dog l know. By the by, do
you know Lord Elmslie?"
/ bowed. Things were looking UP.
My old friend. Jack Moreton, Elms-
lie-as You have just heard me Say-the
LATEST dog in existence.
This repetition of the remark as to
my laziness showed that he was some
what nervous; so that launched bold
y into conversation with the young
lord.
Nonderment and amazement spread
over the countenance of my host He
scarcely took his eyes from of my face
He could not make me out. and when
he heard me say, in reply to a question
Of Lord Elmslie; Oh, YES, l knew
your place we'll have friends living