The herald., 1895-02-22

right, all the same; 1 am vretched
drinker."
Bellamy said nothing; he did not even
smile. He handed round a box of cigars,
from which Wanless selected one; and
then he locked up the box and put the key
in his pocket.
"You don't want to sit here all day, -
he said respectfully but firmly. you
had better go for walk, ! think. -
Wanless rose obediently, and followed.
As we passed through the hall, | caught a
glimpse Of a small but compete-looking
library which was lined with books. With
the fascination that volumes of any kind
possess for me, | was about to enter, when
Bellamy closed the door and locked it..
Sir, he said to his employer ''you are
wasting the afternoon. "
Well, it wasn't for me to interfere. if
Wanless was disposed to put up with that
kind of thing. We had very pleasant
afternoon upon the sands, when | found
my friend to be a wonderfully entertain
ing companion, exceedingly well read but
shy, l thought on speaking of modern
writers of fiction We parted at length
with mutual regret.
II shall not see you for the next day or
two, Wanless remarked, grasping my
hand heartily, "as business calls me away
with me on Thursday. Bellamy will not
be present, as he has a day off, and |
snail order dinner to be sent in from the
hotel. And now, good afternood, my dear
Gibson. -
AS a matter of fact, my name is Os-
borne, but it is one of the Weaknesses of
human nature, whenever a man is ad-
dressed by the wrong patronymic, to allow
the mistake to pass. 1t would have been
lar better for me ii | had corrected the
mistake, instead of allowing it to pass in
my haste to accept the invitation to
dinner.
AT, 6:3o on Thursday night en-
tered Wanless' dining room. The dinner
was not all that could be desired. but
then Bellamy was absent, and the food
was brought and served by a waiter from
the hotel. The wines, which were NV
hosts own, left nothing to be wanted
The peculiar sherry was there, and some
wonderful champagne of 1874 vintage to
winch we both did ample justice. By the
Ilme we mad completed our repast Wan
less eyes were shining and his manner
had grown little bosterous
AND now no more wine, " he said, as
he dismissed the waiter. Il shall suffer
terribly in the morning from what | have
had already, and Bellamy will bully me in
his polite way for week. Let us go into
the library and smoke. We shall be quite
alone, and can have a cosy chat. 1t is not
often that have the nerve to face my
books, much as | love them Time was
when things were very different, and!
Wanless broke off abruptly and led the
way to the library. A lamp was on the
table, a /. title fire burned in the crate
and yet in that cheerful, book-fined
apartment, | felt singularly depressed |
tried tc shake off the feeling. tried to
ignore the CLEAN that flashed in the dark,
restless eyes of my companion. With as
much ease as could assume L carelesslv
examined the well-flled shelves. s'You an
pear to have good selection here" | re-
marked. "ln so select gathering. am
fattered on seeing volume of nv own
Any writer will pardon the innocent ex
csamation of vanity of the remark. [
heard short sharp exclamation break
from my host, ! saw his eyes bulging as
he looked towards the book on which nv
hand Law lovingly.
"Oh, so you are that Osborn, " he said
in manner most uncomplimentary. 81
had no idea that | was entertaining so
great man. Ah? ahl' The laugh was
about as unpleasant as | have ever heard.
''Sit down." he commanded. "Ob. /
know your work very well indeed In
fact, | know the work of the whole gang
of you. But haven't read u line of that
volume of short stories you have there,
The stories are quite recent | suppose?r
| replied as quietly as | could in the
affirmative, at least as quietly as "a man
can when his host, with eyes sin a fine
frenzy rolling" locks the door and nuts
the key carefully away in his pocket.
"Then OF course you remember all the