The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-10-16

your unlimited presence. What / may
have to say to you, and each of you
hereafter-what 1 may choose to de-
mand of you, according to your own
code of honor,"-he fixed his eyes on
Capt. Pinckney's-''is another ques-
ton and one not usually discussed be-
fore lady"
Pardon me. A moment-a single
moment"
1t was the voice of Col. Starbottle;
it was the frilled shirt front, the light
ly buttoned blue coat with it's expand
ing lapels, like bursting petals, and
the smiling mask of that gentleman
rising above the table and bowling to
Clarence Brant and his wife with in
finite courtesy.
'The-er-humiliatin situation in
which we find ourselves, gentlemen
the reluctant witnesses of-er-what
we trust is only a temporary disagree
ment between our charming hostess
and the-er-gentleman whom she had
recognized under the highest title to
our considerations distressing to us
all, and would seem to amply justify
that gentleman's claims to personal
satisfaction, which / know we would
all delight to give. But that situation
rests upon the supposition that our
gathering here was of purely social
or festive nature!
ut may be-" continued the colonel,
with blandly reflective air, that the
spectacle of these decanters and
glasses, and the nectar furnished us
by our Hebelike hostess" he lifted a
glass of whisky and water to his lips
while he bowed to Mrs. Brant grace
fully, has led the gentleman to such
deduction. But when 1 suggest to
him that our meeting was of bust
ness, of private nature, it strikes me
that the question of intrusion may be
fairly divided between him and our
selves. We may be even justified in
view of that privacy in asking him
if his-er-entrance to the house was
-er-coincident with his appearance
among us"
with my front door in possession
of strangers?" said Clarence, more in
reply to sudden contemptuous glance
from his wife than Starbottle's insinu-
alton. Il entered the house through
the window"
''Of my boudoir, where another in
truder once broke his neck" inter
rupted his wife with hooking laugh.
Where / once helped this lady to re
gain possession of her house when it
was held by another party of illegal
trespassers, who, however, were con-
tent to call themselves jumpers and
cid not claim the privacy of gentle
men,"
do you mean to imply. SIR" began
Col. Starbottle, haughtily, shat"
II mean to imply" said Clarence, with
quiet scorn, shat 1 have neither the
wish to know nor the slightest concern
in any purpose that brought you here,
and that when you quit the house you
take your secrets and your privacy with
you intact, without let or hindrance
from me-"
DO you mean to say, Mr.. Brant,"
said Judge Beeswinger, suppressing the
angry interruption of his fellows with
dominant wave of his hand, as he
fixed his eyes on Clarence keenly, that
you have no sympathy with your wife's
political sentiments?'
Il have already given you the infor-
nation necessary to make you quit this
house, and that is all you have a right
to know" returned Clarence, with fold
ed arms
But can answer for him." said Mrs.
Brant. rising with a quivering voice
and curling lip. 'There is no sympathy
between us. We are as far apart as the
poles. We have nothing in common
but the house, and his name"
But you are husband and wife
bound together by sacred compact"
:, compact" echoed Mrs. Brant, with
y bitter laugh. "Yes! the compact that