The Irish standard., 1896-04-11

the business room, and heard its door
shut sharply. For an instant he be-
liered that Mrs. Brant had taken ref
nge there, but as he cautiously moved
forward he heard her voice in the patio
beyond. It's accents struck him as
pleading; an intense curiosity drew him
further along the passage. Suddenly
her voice seemed to change 10 angry
denunciation, and the word Liar rang
upon his ears. 1t was followed by his
own name uttered sardonically by Clar-
clash of the gate, and then, forgetting
everything, he burst into the patio.
Clarence was just turning from the
gate with the marks of his wife's hand
still red on his white cheek. He saw
Capt. Pinckney's eyes upon it. and
faint, half-malicious, half-hysteric
smile upon his lips. But without a
start or gesture OF surprise, he locked
the gate, and turning to him, said, with
frigid significance.
Il thank you for returning so prompt
", and for recognizing the only thing I
now require at your hands"
But Capt. Pincl1ney had recovered
his supercilious ease with the sienifi-
cant demand
You seem to have had something al
ready from anether's hand. sir--out |
am at your service" he said, lightly.
''Ion will consider that | have ac-
cepted it from you, sir said Clarence,
drawing closer to him with rigid
face. I suppose if will not be neces-
sary for me to return tito make you
understand me-"
Go on,s said Pincknev, flushing
slightly. Make your terms. / am
ready"
But I'm not said the unexpected
voice Of the deputy at the grille Of the
gateway. Excuse my interfering. gen
tlemen, but this sort O thing amt down
in my schedule. I've let this gentle
man" pointing to Capt. Pinckney. .soff
for mint TO say good-by to a lady,
who, reckon, has just ridden off in
her buggy with her servant, without
, saying by your leave-but don't cal
lSerlate to let him inter another business
which, like as not, will prevent me from
deliTerin' his body safe and sound into
court. You hear mel" AS Clarence
opened the gate he added: "I don't
want ter spoil sport between gents, but
it's got to come in after I've done my
duty
iii meet you, sir, anywhere, and
with what weapons YOU choose" said
Pinckney, turning angrily upon Clar-
ence,. las soon as this farce-for which
you and your friends are responsible
is over He was furious at the refec-
tion that Mrs. Brant had escaped him.
a different thought was in the hus-
bands mind "Butwhat assurance have
that you are going on with the dep
uty2'' he said, with purposely insulting
deliberation.
MY word, SIR said Capt. Pinckney,
sharply.
And if that amt enuff, there's
rnine," said the deputy. For if this
gentleman swerves to the right or left
betwixt this and Santa Inez, Ill blow
hole through him myself And that
he added, deprecating1y. lis saying
good deal for man who doesn't want
to spoil sport, and, for the matter OF
that, is willing to stand by and see fair
play done at Santa Inez any time to-
morrow before breakfast
"Then / can count on you?' said
Clarence. with a sudden impulse, ex-
tending his hand.
The man hesitate6 moment, and
then grasped it, well, ! wasn't ex-
pecting that he said, slowly; but you
look as if you meant business, and if
you amt got anybody else to see you
through, I'm thar! Isuppose this gen
tleman viii have his friends?''
III shall be there at six with my sec
onds," said Pinckney, curtly. Lead
on"
The gate closed behind them Clar-
ence looked around the now empty
patio, and the silent house, from which
he could now see that the servants had
been withdrawn to insure the secrecy
of the gathering. Cool and collected as
he knew he was, he stood still for
moment in hesitation. Then the sound
of voices came to his ear from the gar
den room. the light frivolity Of Susy's
laugh, and Hooker's husllier accents.
He had forgotten they were there-he
had even forgotten their existence.
Trusting still to his calmness, he
called to Hooker in his usual voice.
That gentleman appeared with face
which his attempts to make uncon-.
cerned and impassive had, however,
only deepened his funereal gravity.
Il have something TO attend to-
said Clarence, with faint smile, .and
] must ask you and Susy to excuse me
for little while. She knows the house
perfectly. and win call the servants
from the annex to provide you 10th
with refreshments. / will Join you
little later" Satisfied from Hooker's
manner that they knew nothing OF his
later interview with Pinckney he
turned away and ascended to his own
room.
He then threw himself into an arm
chair by the dim light Of single candle
as if to reflect, but he was, conscious,
even then, of his own calmness and
want of excitement, and that no re-
Election was necessary. What he had
done and what he intended to do was
quite clear; there was no alternative
suggested, or to be even sought after.
He had that sense of relief which
comes with the climax of all great
struggles-even of defeat He had
never known before how hopeless and
continuous had been that struggle un-
til now it was over. He had no fear for