The sun., 1894-03-22

What! calculated Sir Basil, half
springing from his seat Il do not I'M
derStand, Mr.. Baldrick"
The creole, at this instant, passed Il
decanter of the drugged wine to Roger,
who excitedly retilled his glass, and as
quickly emptied it again.
Pelham Warrington glanced signiti-
cantly at Sir Basil, who nodded his
head approvingly.
II don't wonder ut your not under
standing me, Sir BASIL proceeded the
lieutenant, stammeringly. Its hard to
believe in the fickleneSs of woman,
isn't it?'
"Oh, you are only laboring under
some mistake, Mr.. Baldrickv' Warning
ton put in very blandly.
Mistake! Nothing of the Sort" re-
turned the sailor, bluntly. Pm no
more to Gertrude Gilruth now than one
of those glass decanters,"
Sir Basil DOvetree opened wide his
eyes and ears.
You have no rival in her affections,
have you?" asked Pelham Warrington,
as he slipped his wine.
Rival or no rival, our wedding day
. is fixed to take place on the sixth of
this month! Oh. I'm most miserable
wretch"
''On the sixth! Why, in four days
hence you will be married man, Mr..
Baldrick," Sir Basil returned in quivcr-
ing syllables.
Yes, to be sure That wine of yours
is confoundedly strong, Sir BASIL" the
sailor went on, passing his hand across
II n1 itfN
fused-almost tipsy."
Nonsense, nonsense. Mr.. Baldrick;
all fancy, I'm sure! The wine is as old
as our good King George. and of a
famous vintage as WE'LL" said the bar
Onet.
Really! Well, l feel immensely stu
aid" the lieutenant reiOined, with
parched lips and inflamed eyes.
Il am astonished to hear you say so"
rcjoined the master of the house. You
sailors are accustomed to far more
potent drink than wine, and should
have brains to resist the strongest
vinous liquid that ever was cOncOcted."
Roger Baldrick started from his chair
and made for the long easement open.
ing upon the terrace before the house.
I'm not absolutely inebre-bre-
ated," suffered he; 80 as it's a glOri-
Gus moonlight night, I'd like to have Il
walk to the lake"
with all my heart" answered the
barOnet, suddenly draining the glass be.
fore him and joining his guest. What
say you, Warrington-will you bear us
COmpanyT
I'm at your command, Sir BASIL"
the creole answered, rising, and at once
unfastening the easement. The fool
is stepping into his own grave" he NUT
tered in the baronet's ear; "now is
your time, do not let the opportunity
go by you
Hardly knowing what he was about
Roger put his arm through that Of Sir
Richard DOyetree, and the trio proceed
ed in the direction of the lake, which
lay in n secluded part of the grounds
Mt no considerable distance from the
house. ---.......
The night was calm and clOudless
full moon was shining high above
their heads. making every object round
about distinctly visible.
Sir Basil looked quite ghastly. He
had drunk deeply, nevertheless he was
far from being intoxicated. AS for
Warrington. he was perfectly sober
calm and collected.
The trio silently neared the lake
upon whose smooth, CLASSY bosom the
moon's silvery beams were brightly re-
flpcted.
An ornamental bridge of frail con-
struture spanncd the water and cast
a dark shadow across its depths.
"a iCr11f oR 4,
bridge
Its there still; I remember it well;
I've stood on it many and many a
timer he said, pointing to it with an
unsteady hand.
Perhaps you'd like to stand upon it
now, Mr.. Baldrick,' suggested the Gre
ole.
Indeed | should, just for the sake
of old times" And so saying, the sail
or dropped his companions arm, and
dashed upon the bridge.
Take carer' warned 81" Basil; 81
will not vOuch for the safety of the
structure. Can you SWIM
Not a stroke" was the reply.
$50 much the better-yOu cam" said
the creole, whispering in III" harOnet's
ear. Now, he must never live to
see the sixth of this month, else you
will lose all chance of securing Ger
trude to yourself"
Sir Basil clenched his hands and
gnashed his teeth
"The lake is deep just in the CENTER
continued Warrington. Il asccrtained
that fact early this morning"
Great heaven! What mean You, Pei