The morning call., 1893-12-10
After the last of his guests had departed I

Alter the last Oh DlS guests naQ departed
Stephen Aldridge left his family in the
drawing-room discussing with animation
the incidents of a pleasant dinner party,
followed by an equally agreeable evening
reception. and betook himself to a srug
corner of the smoking-rnom, where be
filled himself out glass OF port and began
TO puff meditativsly one of his long clay
pipes. which, like a man of sense. he in-
fnitely preferred to the choicest Havana.
Hither came through the conservatory,
which opened on this snuggery. his nephew,
George Falconer Rigby, a cigarette be-
tween his fingers, his manner iaunty and
radiant. as of enc on good terms with his
world, and a fresh color flushing his face.
for which, as we'll as heightened bright
ness of eye. champagne and probably
stronger eXcitants were responsible. He
had red rose and maidenhalr fern bouton-
Mere in the lapel of his dress coat, and
might be pronounced faultlessly arrayed
for evening entertainments. according TO
the notions of our time, although he had
not been one of the party at his upcle's
house. Before be observed his uncle in
the corner he was well across the room,
evidently bent on passing into the cor
ridor.
''Ah, George. you've some home. have
you? Fond of dining ont, but not fond of
our own fireside. Too fiat, suppose, for
a man of your tastes aud accomplish
ments. Sit down and chat with your uncle
bit on the pleasures of The gay world"
"Yes, uncle, there's no place like home
for sleep. That l allow. But could not
help 1t tonight. My engagement at the
club was fixed ahead. and a deuced jolly
night it was with Trenton and Rudd. and
just for an hour or so we looked IN at Lady
Melforts and the Ventnors."
went TO the opera, too?"
mo; that is dull. Faust or some other
head-splittiDg music you've heard again
and again. The only stage tolerable is the
Alham bra-plenty of change, rattle and go
there"
''Well. I'm getting old and don't know
these things. can get along without the
opera or theater myself, but the girls like
to go. And so you have had jolly night?
as you call it, and kept out of humdrum
party at your uucle's SO that your spirits
might not be depressed. Now. when
was young ID ian | was taught to study
the pleasure of the old people. The old
folks now give way to the young"
You have the advantage of me in that
sort of recollection, but l am downright
sorry to have been absent The Kitsons
and Rentons we're here, of course--char M
ing girls: and the BurfOots-a deuced
queer set, but .good-natured. Ii was pity
to miss it all.
And the young man crossed bis legs.
looked at his neat ratent-leather shoes and
blew cloud of aromatic smoke from his
mouth and nostrils as relief to his pen
sive feelings. His uncle helped himself to
a sip of port and continued to puff his pipe
the while eylng the handsome dark face
of his nephew curiously.
"By the way, George. what have you
done with your horseS?"
The young man un rossed his legs, gave
an uneasy half hitch round in his easy
chair and looked troubled.
"Oh, / sold them. They were not of
much account, although they cost enough,
and can do without them for bit. They
hadn't any style ID the Row-in fact, were
common Gags, and l am glad they're
gone"
"And what might you have got for
themP"
''Got9 On. I don't remember quite |!
Now that think of it 2150 or SO. A mere
trifle to the G5O0 paid"
'Or that aid. Yes, a mere trife. And
who got the pair?-a dealer?"
mo, not exactly. The fact is it was
Rudd. He took queer fancy to them and
l let him take them cheap. He's friend
you know"
$50 you have always said-a devoted
friendi But you don't miss them. and
that's good. When l was a young man L
could do without horses. You lost 1850 on
that bargain. or L did. Perhaps you will
tope so. 1t is plain you were not born for
business"
mo, wish had BEEN There's no living
without some knowledge, even when
dawdling about in society,""
Now that's a sensible remark at least,
II you have sold your horses fOolishly.
But did you sell them, or was 1t gift?"
WELL Rudd and l squared it,"
mot in cash! l see. A debt at cards p"
Cards! Novel;. that and something
else. | forget. A fellow cannot carry
everything in his head"
mo, nor keep everything in his pocket,
Too true! It's the way of young men.
And is Rudd your only credi-friend. /
mean. with whom you have transactions
like tha.?"
''Oh. don't know. 1 owe few small
sums here and there-nOthng to speak Of
One hasn't always money in the pocket
when it is wanted, but l am a model to
some fellows l meet. Hang it, you have
no figure without little DASH"
Il see. SO it is. And you have Just a
little dash. How much may you owe. do
you think? Don't beat about the bush to
your old uncle. | have never stinted you
in anything. God knows. Your father,
who is dead and gone. would not have been
so considerable"
"Yes, uncle. you have been a trump.
That l allow, and l am ashamed not to
have turned out more useful fellow. But
what's in the bone
MAY be set right by mending your WAYS,
1 know you have debts. What do you
think they amount to-"
"Oh. thousand Or so. 1t isn't the hap-
piest thing TO think about, ana some of
these days I'll REFORM"
Yes, I've been thinking about II.
George. 1t isn't good for you to run ahead
OF your expectations. They are not ex-
travagant All you've got comes from me,
and when 90 there won't be so much to
go round. There's the business, of course.
but you have been brought up an idle
gentleman, an ornament little expensive.
SO it's thousand or so. Is that all?
us that all? Let me see. Yes. 1t can't
be more, and, by the Lord Harry, I'll keep
out of debt when it is off my mind"
MAY be. If you keep off cards, may be.
These debts Of honor are trfle easy 70
run up, and business men like your uncle
have to pay them. My only debts of honor
are to my family. You have drained me
pretty dry of late. George
"Yes, | am so sorry to be unfortunate. !"
Now that comforts me. | hardly like
to speak about 1t. George, but / must
speak"
And the old man cleared his throat.
Strengthened himself up in his chair. and
opening little secret drawer in the table.