The Dickinson press., 1895-11-23
LOYALTY.

OeN
George Talkner, sauntering into his
friend Gerald Fane's rooms in st.
James's street one afternoon In the
height of the season.
"Shall not be half q second" said
Gerald. turning from the bureau at
which he was writing. Paying a bill
or two for a change"
"What a beastly extravagant thing
to do. Worst policy in the world. be-
believe me. If you pay them they
cease to care tuppence for you; where
as, IL you leave q nice long bill owing
they are always SO delighted to see
you back. ..e people to take an in
terest in me-"
George was O young man about
town, very much Tin the swlm;" Ger
aid was also Gin the SWIM" but not
quite so much about town as George,
being, if possible, of q more indolent
habit. The two had been chums at
Elton, and had kept up a sort of friend.
ship through the vicissitudes Of OK
ford into their later career. George
was a man Of any society or any ma
ton, since the time when women and
cards were invented. Gerald was
man of the particular century and ma
ton to which he belonged, occupying
his niche with cynical indifference and
a certain amount Of material enjoy
ment.
There was a woman-but Of that
presently.
II really must pay that old skinfint
ThOrneycrOft.'' said Gerald from the
bureau. "Hc stands in the hall and
won't be persuaded to 20 away; such
a bore for the other fellows in the
house. l landed u little of Heathcote
last night; thought I might as well do
the virtuous this afternoon"
"You know best, l suppose" said
George, surveying himself In the glass
with the irresistible eyes, and smooth
ing down one Of the perfect ties that
had gained for him the name of eyes
and Ties" "How long will It take?'
II tell you only half a second. You
will find a weed somewhere IL you
look for it."
Sooner have a cigarette Of my own,
thanks. Consider the hours that /
keep and the strain that is put on my
nerves! One Of your long twenty
fours would bowl me over completely
"liing for liquid If you want it. Saun.
ders has hook settler somewhere on
ice.'
THAT will Just suit my complaint"
feeling, as he spoke, for his cigarette
case In the pocket of his coat. by
Jove: what a donkey l am! When YOU
have done I want to write a line. IL
may"
Certainly. There you are" said his
friend. plotting his envelope.
"Mrs. Macdonald asked me to 20 to
her box this evening-'Romeo and
Juliet De Reszke as Romeo. Just
come across her letter In my pocket.
| am dining at the vernon's, worse
luck!!"
Surely you ought to send down at
once. She will hardly have time to
fill your place now. Shall I send Saun-
dcrs to fetch a commisslonaire?"
.'rhanks. I think a fleet hanson
would be BETTER"
The letter took q certain amount of
time to write. George Falkper was
twenty-five and fond Of the woman ha
wrote to.
Got some sealing wax" he asked.
presently, turning yer the pens.
Don't know that I have; there
might be a piece in the left hand
drawer"
"That will do first rate, caa use my
last half sovereign as a seal. Would
you ring, like a good fellow, and wen
tell Saunders to charter q hanson to
1O4 Grosvenor place. Let him take the
fellows number"
This done George sat down in an
arm chair opposite his friend.
"Going to Sloughhorough hSuee to.
oiKht?" he a4ksd presently. aodding q
q card that had been placed In front
Of the clock.
Eyes, I think So"
"Dining Mt the Hamond's first,
ses.'
you're a cool hand, George. How
do you kncw?"
"Why, Of course, your fellow stuci
It out there. I thought perhaps yor
might have been going to the opera"
III you mean to Mrs. Macdonald'l
box, she has not done me the honor tt
ask me; but even If she had I coult
not CO."
"Lively, last night. wasn't it," sale
George, after a short silence.
II have cen 1t worse at the Berke
ley"
son took the bank. Good Lord. 1t wa,
. nutter! The way to win at baccara
IL to take the bank"
Then the talk drifted to racing
Some one had come mo end of q cop
per- over Thunderbolt for the Assoc
cup, another had "won a pot O
money" over Creased Lightning a
sandown. After half an hour of thi
e~xhilarating conversation George, hav
Ing q polo pony to exercise In the parh
sauntered OF as he had come.
Mr.. Mcdonald and his sister ha.
Royal institution on ''Tree and Serpen
Worship" The Hon. willie was wrap
up In ancient religions and peoples