The Portland daily press., 1895-11-16

sCertainlv not.'' | replied, and he
seemed TO think better of me, "but Miss
Lynn might.
"And why Miss Lynn, prayT
Greatly, Mr.. Brent said most sheer
ingly. III cannot undertake to explain to
you why Miss Lynn is particular about
whom she associates with
I Thought this would crush him, but it
didn't
"Seeing that you are one of her associ-
ates. Mr.. Hite," and he swept a scornful
salaam before me, IT should think not"
"Mr Brent, y said, exasperated almost
beyond control, for 1 saw he was bent on
interfering with my plans for the evening,
nif Won will permit me to explain, I will
saw to YOU that am here by design
"And SO am I, sir. "
aMiss Lynn,' / continued, "has an en-
pagement with me for this evening, made
Yesterday, and may add that from what
she said to me at the time and from what
have said to her at more than a dozen
times during the past two weeks, that en-
gagement will very probably be made a
permanent one.
"In other words, Mr.. Hite, you and
Miss Lynn will be an engaged couple after
this EVENING""
"Exactly, Mr.. Brent"
s'Then, Mr.. Hite he went on, s'let me
inform you, that I am also a sutton for
that young lady's hand"-
''Her fortune, you mean" sneered.
"Please don't interrupt >" he said. 81
was more polite when you were talking
AS was saying, am also sutton for her
hand, and she does not, fancy, look cold
" upon me. Indeed had an engagement
with her myself this evening""
He was telling me cruel lie and I
knew it, but could not tell him so. T
had my engagement to keep with Ethyll
and could not risk fight and 30 to her
covered with gore and victory, and much
less with gore and defeat, for Brent was
an athlete, while l wasn't.
'sBut you do not love her as I do" 1
said half pleadingly.
Glove her, MANI" and his tones were
fierce and fervid. Glove her? Why, you
could no more love that woman as love
here than hulnming bird could fly with
an eagle. All my hopes and my ambi-
tions, my present and my future, what I
have and what am or ever expect to be,
are in her hands, and if I thought they
were to be thrown back upon me would
cast myself into the sea on the instant.
Love her, man? Love her? Why, my love
for her passes the comprehension of dozen
men like you.'
This was painful and personal, but I
preserved my balance.
sit Is easy for you to talk"-he was a
lawyer-I replied, "but you are not select
ing the proper text. Ethyl Lynn for
weeks has been to me the one woman in
the world, and would give my life gladly
to win her. Already we have talked over
the future that is opening SO happily be-
fore us, and I have gazed rapturously
along the rose Ieafed path which we shall
follow hand in hand to the end of our
days"
am sure Brent thought was lying to
him, but fortunately he did not say SO.
At that moment was desperate, and it
would have taken very little for me to be-
come factor in twilight tragedy down
by the sounding sea.
"Mr. Brent said, REFRESHING my in
dignation, "you have traduced this lady,
and do not want to hear any more from
you"
ST have not traduced her any more than
you have, sir,'' he retorted. SIT does not
traduce woman for an honest man to say
he loves her,
''Thank you,' said I, much to his sur
prise at the neat turn had given his re-
mark
And why shouldn have thanked himp
], at least, was an honest non, and loved
Ethyl Lynn with all my soul.
Brent was an interloper, and was GER
tain of it. He had the specious manner
of the man of that character
"Mr. Brent" I continued, seeing that
he was silent, fyou have made certain
statements this evening concerning lady
which must be shown to be true or you
will have to answer for them to me-
This was almost a declaration of war,
and made it with some degree Of nerv-
BUSINESS, but it had to be done.
Every well, sir, he replied confidently,
1T think can satisfy you that I am speak
ing the truth" And he took from his pock-
ct delicate little note and handed it to
me. 1t was from Miss Lynn-from Ethyl
and it appointed meeting with Mr.
Brent that evening at O'Clock.
Was it possible that I had made a mis-
take in understanding her to say that she
would also meet me that evening at the
same time?
This was possible, for know that when
she told me to come was in such a state
of rapture as scarcely to be responsible.
"This note" I said after had glanced
over it by the light of Brent's cigar, for it
was already dark, "seems to entitle you to
some rights in the premises, but there are
others to be satisfied in this matter
"Rather, should say" he said with
the air of triumphant conquerer. "Can
you show cause why you are here Mr..
Hite?'
"None, sir" said, Drawing it out as
best I could, Except my verbal statement,
and hardly think Mr.. Brent will say that
am liar"
sIt is not necessary for Mr.. Brent to
say what he believes, he replied, and
never felt SO like hitting a man in my life,
but I restrained my belligerency.
'Neither is it necessary for two gentle
men within sight of lady's house to be-
come common street brawlers, retorted
with great dignity.
another time is better" And there was
threat in his voice.
"Quite SO, Mr.. Brent Now let us go on
to Miss Lynn's cottage and submit the
matter to her,"
-. .