Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-01-22

feat at o years old.
'Then I'm not surprised their fathers
beat us at Majuba HILL" cried George.
EVERY bullet hit
He galloped home and met them at the
hall door with a tankard Sir Godfrey
declined 1t.
Are you a teetotaler?" Madeleine
asked rather ironically.
II don't know but never felt an in
clination to drink anything but WATER
George whispered in stage aside, MY
dear, he has begun to reward you with
thumpers already"
Sir Godfrey only laughed.
That was the explanation, of course,
but few days afterward Madeleine spent
an afternoon with Lady Steyne, who, get
ting very hopeful now, recited her sons
virtues. Among them was total absti-
nence. Madeleine could no longer doubt.
Instantly mischievous thought arose.
If he was so lively on tea and water, what
would be the result Of glass of cham
payne? The very same idea struck George
when she told him, and at the first oppor
tunity he made an attempt.
My dear fellow" said Sir Godfrey, 81
daren't! 1t would be like testing some
new explosive of which one can't calou-
late the force"
This comparison was not likely to deter
George. Feeling himself unable to work
the oracle, as he said, he urged his sister
to try. She resisted laughingly, though
as curious as himself to see the issue.
The growing intimacy which delighted
Lady Steyne alarmed Mr.. Hudson. He
gave Sir Godfrey hint-a pretty strong
one Now, this young man, though easy
and careless, had an intense pride of fam
lily, and at the bottom of his heart lay an
undying grievance against the men who
had not only bought the home of his fore
fathers, but had vulgarized it, Some sharp
words passed. He CHANGED to meet George
ON leaving and told him. George told his
sister, requesting Sir Godfrey to wait. A
small domestic row followed, and poor
Mr.. Hudson sent an apology. Meantime
the afternoon turned out wet. George pre-
vailed on him to stay to dinner, Just to
show there was no ill feeling"
Its the first time have dined here, 4"
Godfrey murlnured as they sat down.
II ask myself miserably is it to be the
last?'
"Oh," Madeleine cried, ''here's the
portentl Sir Godfrey Steyne feels miser-
able. Fill his glass, George. 1t must not
be said that you were really miserable for
the first time in your life at our table.
insist, Sir Geoffrey!"
'Plcase let me off. don't know what
tho consequences may be. "
Tho natural consequences of glass of
vino are chcerfulness, said George
Drink and forget your cares.
His sister supported him with merry
malice. Sir Godfrey shook his head, but
obeycd.
The result was all they had hoped, and
more-for q time. Cheerfulness returned
with q vengeance. Mr. Hudson himself
could not stop laughing, the servants for
got their discipline, but Sir Godfrey kept
slipping. A child would scarcely have been
excited by the amount he drank, but 1T
was enough to upset that yivacious tenn
permanent. The lively mood passed, and
he talked earnestly Of the affairs Of tho
day-on politics, even on religi ion, speak
ing we'll on every theme.
Dinner was long finished, Madeleine
rose at length, surprised AM
but rather nervous about the
others adjourned to the billial
Sir Godfrey had not seen til
before. 1t was the family
been said, desecrated by Mr.
Their, but Mr.. Hudson had
nished it III the style termed
uphosterers-with dado of
ting walls paneled with T.
and even the vaulted roof hid
ing Of bamboo. 1t was blu
but under the main wall of t
Sir Godfrey stood in the doorway IouA-
ing at the decorations with an air of pas
sionate distaste. ''This is where my fore
fathers used to worship. Did you leave
any mark to show where the altar stood,
Mr.. Hudson? All, see! That cue racl,
indicates the spot. Very thoughtful and
appropriated" He advanced Zone of my
ancestors was buried somewhere about.
It's an interesting story. He lost his head
on Tower hill, and his widow brought
homo the body. You did not notice the
gravostone perhaps? Who could regret a
sacrifice of sentiment in view of work
of art like thisp" And SO on, with in
creasing bitterness.
George, getting alarmed, called for
brandy and soda, in hopes that his mood
would change once more. 1t did not. He
began to rave.
For heavens sake, don't talk SO loud!''
said George. ''Madeleines room is just
above"
But he was quarrelsome now. Mr.. Hud-
son fled, angry and frightened, bidding
his son to follow. George fingered mo-
ment.
''Do go, Steyne," he urged. 1--WE shall
hardly pacify the governor now"
'Pacify! Pacify the shades of my fore
fathors Strip your gimcrackcry from their
walls Burn It'll Fire is the only purge
for crime like this!' With eyes flaming
he stalked to and fro, his tossed hair wet
with perspiration. He was mad.
George left tho room hastily to consult.
A moment afterward the curtains were
blazing. They flared up--panels and cell
ing caught. All was flame and smoke in
an instant.
Steyne ran out shouting The passage
was empty. Georges words recurred-
Madeleine's room was just above. He ran
on. A servants staircase opened ON his
right. The smoke grew thicker as he
dashed up, crying, Madeleine, Made
leine!"
SIN there!" screamed maid, rushing
past.
Madeleine was throwing on the dress
just discarded. He lifted her and fought
his way down through the dense smoke,
muttering prayers. All was hustle in the
passage now. AS Sir Godfrey appeared
with Madeleine in his arms Mr. Hudson
was speeding BY VILLAIN" he cried,
"you shall answer for this!"
"No, no, papa; it Is all my wicked do
ing! must answer for it!'
That is the true story of the fire at Por-
tai abbey. The billiard room was burned
out, but its thick walls and vaulted roof
held the flames confined. Young Lady
Steyne has tried no more shocking expert
"a, L.,,, l,I,rl,u,,d -Excl,niafIc