The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-02-01

ment of Mr.. Me6way's," smiled Mrs.
Berwick. HE has SO many devices
80 it seems said a silent man, who
went on eating diligently. For some
minutes the supper progressed
"Well," said little man who looked
like a .piano-tuner, 81 call getting us
here like this tonight rather pleasant
move. l believe it's one they practice
in Australia"
Its to be hoped he hasn't taken q
trip back there" suggested Mr.. Barker
the rate collector. in low voice.
Mrs Berwick looked up, haughtil7.
~ can assure you he has done nothaag
of the sort He will join Us very
shortly"
MEANWHILE" said Mr.. Willis, the
landlords agent, Il maintain that he
has given us most excellent supper
and splendid champagne-of which, l
tlatter myself, l am Judge" IN.
II believe Mr.. Midway inten to
go away good deal richer as I'VE
came?" middle-aged man on / left
inquired, anxious to make surtkNbat
this supper business was not Mi.
Rogers" said Mrs Berwick, IN
aging her naughty manner with at
success, Il think Mr.. Medway'9 t1fk
book is ready-is it not?" fn
certainly, ma'am," answeredTofg-
ers, who was miserable at h5Wina-ss.
wait on what he called this lot {" He
thought they ought to have been
downstairs and had beef and beer. if
they had anything, along with us;
trutfies and jelly and champagne is
throwing pearls before swine, that eat
EN- with their knives"
ITS singular thing to me- said
Mr.. Willis, the man next to him, "if
we are to get our money tonight in
lump-for | believe we are all in the
same boat-that our man should have
been in possession here for couple of
days.
There's a bill of sale on the furni-
ture," said Mr.. Garway opposite.
How will that affect you?" For as
the supper wore on and Midway did
not appear, they needed Mrs Ber-
wick's presence less and lie SIS or looked
at her with an easy familiarity that
ut was only this morning too, that
l heard of a couple of Thousand he had
raised under circumstances | should not
like to particularize before a lady
friend of his, remarked a Jewlsh-look-
ing gentleman who had not spoken be-
fore.
perhaps this supper is thrown to us
as sop, suggested some one
ooh, gentlemen"' repeated Mrs. Ber-
wick, let me assure you you will deep
ly regret any expression you make use
of hastily"
mo disrespect to you, ma'am," said
an elderly man who had attempted
evening dress. Perhaps, if the truth
was known, you are in the same boat,
too. | vote we make the best of it,
Il vote" said the man at the far end,
that we don't move until our bills are
settled"
And if they are not" said the bull
necked man, bringing his fist down on
the table.
You will be quite satisfied on thar
point, l assure you, before you leave
the table," Mrs. Berwick said, raising
her voice SO as to be heard over the
din. There is, besides, surprise you
will find exceedingly pleasant" She
looked nervously towards the screen.
well. we should like to know what
it is" said Mr.. Willis.
You shall before you leave the
table" she repeated. Rogers" she
said, turning feverishly to the butler,
Il think it's time"
There's the health, ma'am," whis-
pered Rogers He and the two other
menservants We're standing behind her
chair. Gaping in at the doorway were
the servants; behind them, his head
peering over a house-maid's shoulder,
was the man in possession.
You must pardon me for saying
plainly, ma'am," almost shouted the
bull-necked man, that the sooner we
are satisfied the BETTER
You shall be satisfied at once" her
voice rang out loud and shrill; but
first, gentlemen, fill your glasses and
drink Mr.. Medways health" She
waved her arm back towards Rogers,
who frothed up her glass from bottle
in his hand. Mr.. Midway will be
with us Immediately; let us drink to
him" Carried away by her excitement,
they rose to their feet and filed their
G aSses.
Lets see him before we drink to
him" said the bull-necked MAJ. How
do we know that it isn't all plant?"
wild laugh burst from Mrs. Berwick's
lips.
Pull it back, Rogers" she cried,
land let them be convinced" With
slow dignity Rogers walked towards
the screen, and pulled it from between
the tables.
There sat Midway, seemingly at the
head of his supper-party, in evening
dress, with the flower in his button
hole. His lett hand was rigidly fast
ened round the champagne bottle,
against which rested his check book.
The other hand had fallen beside him,
and his body toppled little way to-
wards it His head was thrown well
back, and the blood was flowing from
his throat, which was cut from ear to
ear. For a moment there was dead
silence. With their glasses uplifted
they stood as if transfXed. Rogers,
standing by, saw as if in dream tina,
on the sheet of paper by the inkstand