Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-23

ure very Soou, S:ilu-
lar) Both men were genial and amiable.
and under the influence of the surroundings
became more and more at their ease with
each other But the geniality was in each
case little hollow and a little forced, and
each of them knew by instinct thai the 9TH
er was playing part.
The elder man drank as much as the
younger, but he was more seasoned, and the
wine had no effect upon him. He was al
ways John Oldroyd the cautious, shrewd,
reticent man of business, but Arthur Wes-
ton gradually began to talk more rapidly
and with greater emphasis. By the time
the dessert had been reached and the port
was on the table, there was an air of reck-
less gayety about him which contrastei
strongly with his earlier manner.
Until now, the conversation had been on
general topics; gradually it became more
personal, and when presently host and guest
wheeled their arm chairs round in front OF
the blazing fire and settled themselves COM
fortaby to the coffee and cigars, both be-
gan to be little more confidential.
odd, isn't it," said Weston, that we
two strangers to each other should be
spending our Christmas day together, like
old friends?'
odd, yes, but none the less pleasant. 1
suppose you generally spent your Christ
mas day with your-er-family-or friends?"
A shade passed over the young mans
face. Yes" he replied, fixing his eyes on
smoke ring that was curling gracefully up
to the ceiling. ies, it's my first Christmas
away from home"
f1dQ 10 come mere your health, L sup
pose, too far to go back again just for
Christmas
mo. my people live in London I came
here to see friend. He was expected home
for Christmas last night, but he hasn't come
He's been taken Ill abroad and his wife mas
started off to be with him."
An, you We're going to, spend Noar Christ
mas with them?'
mo, I-well, don't see that IT matters
I'm your guest and I've no right to sail under
1alse colors. l was going to borrow some
money Of him.
For moment the old caution of the bust
ness man sent John Oldroyd back into his
shell. Millionaires generally have a preoc-
cupied air when an acquaintance begins to
across at the young mans face and some
thing in it aroused his sympathy at once
"Ah," he said. its awful thing how
frequently friends manage to be out of the
way when you want them. And so you've
had long journey, and tomorrow l suppose
you'll go back to town."
No"
glad of that. We shall see more of each
other. and you'llfbe company for me-
mo; you've been awfully good 10 me; Mr.
Oldroyd, but don't think we shall ever meet
again after tonight"
But you're not going back, you say2"
No; but don't ask me any more. You'll
know everything tomorrow"
Know everything tomorrow! What could
this young man mean? What was he going
TO do? What was to happen that he John
Oldroyd, would know everything tomorrow?
He began to grow uneasy. He had felt
certain from the first that this young fellow
bad something on his mind. lie had come
down here to borrow money, anl had spent
his Christmas away from his familye He
was trying to think out the story of his guest
for himself, when the guest evidently di-
vining his thoughts stopped him.
There he said, Il beg your pardon for
talking about myself and my .affairs-it
: bod
me questions, and answered them. Come
let's get on to more cheerful subject. Tel!
ME something about South Africa
(To be continued tomorrowD "