Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-04-19

Oh OHbllStV Ni"C''J'
While he was lying on the sofa and
blowing the cigarette smoke from his
mouth. a malicious smile made his feat
ures almost repulsive.
"TEat's a pretty good cigarette, was
the remark with which he broke the 81
lence at last.
81 am glad you like IT," was Ralph'S
ahstracted answer. His brothers sage
rcmarS was not interesting enough to
draw him away from his thoughts of
love-
Nor did the next attempt with which
Walter tried to begin conversation have
the desired effect
"Rv the way" he said, "I heard a
devilsh good joke at the club to-day "
But ali the answer he got from Ralph
was a careless, ais that SOP"
Waiter evidently was determined to
have conversation. His brothers list
lessncss did not deter him from further
attempts.
"It's joke on you," he said, impress
svely.
as it possble?"
Even this information failed to rouse
the lovelOrn swain.
Walters patience was at an end he
raised himself from his recumbent posi-
tion, and, directing a searching glance
at his brother, while his lips were curled
by malignant smile, he said:
"The fellows at the club say you are
going to marry Lucy Lyon"
The shot had hit the mark. Ralph
suddenly became interested in the con-
vcrsation. The blood left his face until
his features became as palid as death.
Tut he still kept his silence, listening
now, however, with eager attention,
when Walter continued, apparently with
the greatest carelessness, as he languid-
lv returned to his former rccumbent at
ttude:
"Dont you know, Ralph, it serves you
right. When Miss Lyon was here the
last time you paid her very marked at
tentOns,' as those newspaper fellows
would say. And when she returned,
the first thing you had to do was to run
and renew the acquaintanceship. Serves
you right, cd man, to be tcased that
way"
Ralph could hardly preserve his COM
pOsure as he listened to these words.
Still more than by tho words themselves
was he exasperated by the frivolous tone
in which they were uttered. Bnt he
controlled his emotions until his brother
had finished.
Then he said, with artificial coldness,
which was given the lie by the nervous
twitching of his features and his labored
breath:
aAnd who told you that it was q
Ioke?"
Walter affected not to understand
him. With look of simulated surprise,
be asked:
"What do you mean?"
"How do you know that the fellows at
the club did not tell you the truth?"
Walter Warringham laughed, as If his
brother had cracked the best joke of the
| year.
every good Ha! hal hal Very good.
had not discovered the humorous vein
in you before, Ralph. Very good! L
suppose you will accept my congratula-
tions, then, at the approaching union OF
Ralph Hutchinson Warringham, M. d.,
and Miss Lucy Lyon, actress Excellent!
la! ha! hal"
While Walter INDUCED in this outburst
of merrimont a dark frown gathered on
the brow of the lover, whose inmost
feelings were so rudely attacked. His
teeth gnawed at his lips, as men will do
when they strive to control an outbreak
of temper
When Walter at last scemed disposed
to listen, Ralph said:
"After this display of good manners
you will perhaps be disposed to listen
when / say that you have heard the
truth, though do not know how any
body could obtain any knowledge of it, "
Walter rose again from the sofa
This time he rose fully to his feet with a
jerky motion. He made step toward
his brother and stood before him looking
straight into his face There was no
trace of the former malicious sneer in
his features now. Walter Warringham
had the muscles of his cOuntenance
under good control, and for the present
it seemed best to him to affect look OF
extreme and incredulous amazcmcnt.
"You do not mean it?" he said.
81 do, most assurcdly."
"Do you understand that referred to
Miss Lucy Lyon, the actress?"
"The very lady that referred to-"
"And do you speak seriously?"
81 told you So"
swell, l declared" Walter made a
gesture expressive of disgust. For a
moment both were silent Walter rolled
another cigarette and lighted it. Then
be turned again toward his brother,
who still retained his seat in the rock
ing chair by the window, but whose
1 countenance no longer showed that ex-
preston of complete happiness On the
! contrary, it looked dark and troubled
now.
Walter again stood before Ralph, after
having paced the floor of the study two
br three times.
ADO you suppose, Ralph" he recon-
menced the conversation. "that you will
be permitted to commit such an incred-
ible piece of folly?"
The frown on the Doctors brow dark
ened
"Who has authority to prevent it, If
YOU pleaSe?" he asked, testify.
"Well, do you think that your family
will consent to marriage with woman
like that?"
Ralph had all the sensitiveness of a
lover who wi rot suffer the ighteSt
breath OF insult to taint the name of his
love. Excitedly he rose from his chair
and stood opposite his brother But
he checked his quick impulse, and when
he spoke the tone Of his voice was quiet,
but firm, and little threatening.
81 wish you to understand, he said,
"that | shall not brook disrcspectful
fa.-ar,nn "a fI1 70 hri La .