The sun., 1894-03-08

| Always, Roger,
You will take cold. If 1 longer keep
you lingering here" he says, thought
fully, releasing her hand. Good
night, my darling! I must pow speed
| away to my mother. MY first thought
own good mother"
MY grandfather will be anxious to
see you early tomorrow. remember,
Roger"
And so will Gertrude. will she
not?"
."Ay. that she will. dear Roger Good
nightr'
And the chamber easement Is once
| more closed. The lieutenant drops to
the ground, casts lingering look up
at the window, and then hastenS away
to gladden. his widowed parent with
his unexpected presence.
Sir Gasil DOvetree was itting alone,
thinking of beautiful Gertrude Gilrltl,.
when Pelham Warrington, who had
been strolling through the village of
Ravenmarsh, broke IL. upon him.
Tie creole threw himself III Il chair,
| with q hasty exclamation. He looked
diSapL ointed and yeXed.
THE arrival of the girls lover is rath-
er an awkward event at the present
moment, isn't it?' he said.
The young baronet almost staggered.
Are you speaking of Gertrude's low
err" he asked, in confused syllables.
The creole replied in the affirmative.
He has returned?" stammered the
other, in blank dismay Il do not I'M
derstand YOU"
III hasten to explain myself" War
ril gtcn answered. Il have an odd but
sUcceE sful mode Of picking up all sorts
Of intelligence" he added, taking snuff
at intervals, and leisurely delivering
his words. This morning, my beard,
most Obstinately resisting my Wallets
razor, paid q visit to the barber Of
Ravenmarsh; and while the fellow WAS
manipulating my chin, contrlved to
draw from him some of the latest
news of the place"
well, well?' cried Sir Basil, writh-
ing with impatience to hear all the
other had to tell.
Amongst other matters cOmmuni-
Gated to me, I learned that a certain
Lieutenant Bal,lrick, who, you remem-
ber, Is engaged to be married to Ger
:rrde Gilruth, had just come home
fem sea-"
Home from sea?" repeated Sir Bas-
IL Dovetree, his face becoming white
as his snowy rutties, his faculties all
dazed. Il did not know that he was
| expected home. /"
The swain's Christian name Is Rog-
er," pursued the creole, with a sneer-
ing laugh. "Unpoetical, isn't it?''
What mOre-What mOre?' the 9TH
er demanded, in voice made horse
with agitation.
Il fancy I've told you enough al
ready" Warrington drily rejoined,
watching his companiCn's working fea-
| II res
'Too much-too much, by far! re-
turned Sir Gasil, almost choking with
emC Ction, and Clenching his hands
Yes, this Roger Baldrick will be
somewhat in the way, fear" said the
cree lie, slowly and musingly.
May the furies seize him" broke
forth the young baroDet, nearly beside
himself with jealous rage.
amen, to that prayer! the other
| responded. "Roger out of the way
again, the coast were clear, and the
maiden our own"
Sir Basil started up, and began to
walk backward and forwards, from
one end of the apartment to the other
He was no longer pale; two red spots
| were burning on his cheeks, and his
powdered hair was all tossed awry.
But he looked handsomer i'll this state
of mental disorder than when he was
calmer Warrington was thinking as
much as he watched the large flashing
eyes, the clasSically chiseled features,
the broad chest, the ftnely-modeled
limbs Of his once blase friend.
What are we to do, WarringtOn?"
| the young barOnet inquired, abruptly
| ralting before the creole, his whole
frame quivering with excitement. Il
cannot lose Gertrude-I will not Des-
pite a thousand Roger Baldricks, will
| call her mine"
But how?"
"You-you ask that question, War
| rington-yOu, who have pledged your
| self to assist me in this matter?'
True! But the aspect of affairs has
! suddenly changed, my friend. We have
q certain Roger to contend with now"
Sir Basil stamped his foot upon the
! floor, and uttered an imprecation which
cannot be repeated here.
II thought 1 had a friend" he said,
after q pause, and with a @reproachful
| look.
And you have still such, BASIL"
the creole rejoined. I'm me you behold
the st: nchest friend y,,u ever knew"
| TIL listener shook his head doubt
ingly.
You do not appear to credit my
vcrds?'
Il must have acts-words are mere
breath, proving nothing"
''What would you have me do? can
not exterminate this Roger to oblige
yol; the law would not allow the
| actor else
''Or else, what?"
| Cor else there should exist no rival
'twixt yourself and Gertrude Gilruth." I"
rcspC nded the creole, significantly
| touching the hilt of his sword.
Sir Basil impetuously flung up his
hands, and dropped into a chair, re-
peating the old cry; helplessly asking
what he was to do?
Away to London, and there forget
your pretty rustic"
"Ay! there are scores of lovelier wo-
men than Gertrude Gilruth to be found
in town."
'Ihere breathes Lot a lovelier one
III all the world, Warrington" returned
the young baronet, with great enthus-
iism. MY Gertrude has not an equal
upcE the face of the earthw
The creole smiled and leaned back
in his chair, tapped the lid of his jew
eled snuff-boX. This love is sad sort
of sickness, BASIL he said; 'he is a
lucky fellow who can escape catching
the -malady. Well, praise the gods
l can defy all the women in creation,
for there is not che amongst them who
could make my heart throb whit the
faster than it does at present"
r. WarringtOns companion was not
listening, his senses were absorbed in
Jealous, melancholy thinkings He was
earnestly and honestly In love with
Gertrude, and he was ready to make
every sacrifice to obtain her. Sir Basil
was unused to diEapr. ointment in any
shape, and he was CALLED at this his
hearts first defeat. He lad no parents,
no brothers or sisters to claim a place
in his affections; hence the sudden and
firm hold which Gertrude's charms had