The Washington times., 1894-10-14

Clyde bowed his head and the other con-
tinued:
"She was possessed of every grace and
charm, and naturally had hosts OF admirers
and numberless suitors. Among the latter it
IS only necessary 10 speak of Clayton and
Holmes. These two men. though the anti
theses of one another seemed to be her favor
ties from the first. Holmes in two things only
was the superior of Clayton-w wealth and So
phIstry. Clayton was by far the better man
in every way, and, in time. though it had not
been so announced. it was generally under
stood that he and Miss Thorne were engaged
Holmes did not discontinue his visits.
however. On the contrary, he became even
more attentive than formerly. Strange as it
may appear, the rivals continued to be
friends.
''This was about the situation when one
evening, as the story goes, Clayton and
Holmes met at a late hour in this very room.
l can give you the story. but as l was not
present at the time you will be quite at lib
erty to take it with the proverbial grain of
salt. They sat down over a bottle Of wine
and began chafiing each other pleasantly
about his chances. Each felt confident of sue
cess. 1t was a strange, an improper subject
10 discuss within these walls, but Holmes in
sists to this day that only himself ana Clay
ton were present. Ii this be fact, how did
the story leak out?
''Well, to resume. The night merged into
morning; still the discussion continued. More
than one empty bottle had been borne away,
and at length each seemed to grow conscious
OF feeling of iealously of the other. The
wine was doing its baneful work. Holmes
taunted Clayton unmerciiully, and the latter,
showing some temper, said: She has prom
sed 10 marry me if l can obtain that ring
from you, pointing, as he spoke, at his rivals
finger This was double shaft at Holmes,
for it appeared that he wore some queer ring
which Miss Thorpe had repeatedly asked TO
be allowed to wear and which request he had
repeatedly and consistently declined to grant,
| giving as a reason for SO doing. ii l remember
rightly, that he was superstitious and that he
had been warned never to remove the ring
from his finger. ClaytOns ayowal greatly
angered Holmes. He could not, in view of a
very recent and unusually warm parting
with the lady, believe that she had made any
such promise. But knowing her great desire
TO possess the ring Claytons allusion 10 the
jewel showed that she had spoken to his rival
on the subject, and this, perhaps. in some
disdainful way. This flashed through Holmes
mind in moment, then, jerking the jewel
from his finger, he flung it upon the table,
saying:
eff she can be bought for bauble, per-
nit me to aid you in your purchase. With
this he left the club and the two men have
never met since. In fact none of his ac-
quaintanees have heard of Clayton since the
morning of the day following this episode.
One day later Miss Thorpe's engagement to
Holmes was announced"
How very singular" exclaimed Clyde.
"How do you account for it,"
"Why attempt to account for that which
from the first appeared inexplicable?
firmly believe that Clayton told the truth
when he made his statement respecting the
ring. also believe that in fit of temper
Holmes threw him the jewel. From this it is
natural to conclude that CLAYTON lost no time
| in bearing the trophy to the woman be loved
the very being who had offered him such a
rare prize for its possession. In fact, had
been in his place it would have been quite
easy for me to have fancied myself Lancelot
returning triumphant from the tourney to
accept the favors of Guinevere-no, of Elaine.
Why she rejected him. how to account for his
sudden disappearance, how to explain her
acceptance OF Holmes are things that | now
have little hopes of learning until | reach
that sphere where all is to be made plain. "
''Do you know Mrs. Holiness" asked Clyde.
GAS Miss Thorpe L knew her quite well,
though 1 was never one of her slaves. Since
this affair have simply been civil to her.
Clayton was one of my best friends. He was
| capital fellow, and his disappearance has
occasioned me much uneasiness. 1t would be
some satisfaction TO obtain reliable informa-
ton of his death for dead | feel that he is,
and | cannot help But believe that Holmes
and his wife are in some treacherous way re-
! sponsible."
"How long ago did this occur?" asked
! Clyde whose generous, sympathetic nature
re-echoed the sentiments of his friend.
Let me see," answered the other. Then