Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-30

Young Heckle skunk away. and Lora
Stansford turned TO Miss Lndorham. VINO
stood looking on. speeches. with horror
and surprise.
what a brute you are, she said'
with a culver In her under lip.
Yes" he replied quietly. Most OF US
mon are brutes when you take a little
Of the varnish on. Won't you sit down.
Miss Iinderham? There IS no need now
10 reply TO the question you asked me;
the incident you have witnessed ana
what you have heard has been its an
swcr"
The young lady did not sit down; she
stood looking at him. her eyes soitenihs
a trlhe.
1T Is true. then" she said.
as what true?"
THAT you are a Erred guest
eyes, &c is true"
Then why did you knock him down.
II sc was the TRUTH
Because he spoke the truth before
you"
Il hope. Lord stansford. you don't
mean TO imply that ! am In any way re-
sponsible for your rufianism?'
you are, and in more than one sense
Of the wcrd That young fellow threat
ened me when i came here tonight.
knowing that I was his fathers hired
guest; 1 do not wish exposure, and 50
avoided you. You spoke TO me. ana
asked me 10 bring you out here. / came,
knowing that If Heckle saw me he
would carry out his threat. He has car
ried il out, and I have had the pleasure
Of knocking him down"
Miss Linderham sank upon the seat,
and once more motioned with her fan
for him TO take q place beside her.
Then you receive s guineas night
.. rfr Of NIL WI |
have met your"
"As a matter Of fact" said Stansford,
81 get only guineas. I suppose the
other three. II such is the price paid,
goes to ms employers"
Il thought Mr.. Heckle was your en-
ployer to-night?'
Il mean to the company who let me
out II I make myself clear-Spink & Co,
telephone 1O0sO3 If you should ever want
an eligible guest for any entertainment
you give, and men are scarce, you have
only to telephone them, and they will
send me TO you"
ooh, 1 See" said Miss Linderham, tap
ping with her fan upon her knee.
1T is only justice to my fellow en-
ployees.' continued Lord Stansford, ito
say that l believe they are all eligible
young men, but many of them may be
had for a guinea The charge in my
tried to natter myself that IL was my
polished. dignifed manner that won me
the extra remuneration; but after your
exclamation on my brutality tonight I
am afraid / must fail back on my title.
We members Of the aristocracy come
high. you know"
There was silence between them for a
few moments. and then the girl looked
up az him and said: Aren't you ashamed
of your profession Lord stensford?'
Yes" replied Lord Stansford. Il am"
Then why do you follow it?'
"Why does q man sweep q street cross
ing? Lack OF money. one must have
money, you know, 10 get along in this
world; and /. alas, have none. I had
a little once; / wanted to make IL more.
so gsmbled, and lost l lay low for a
couple Of years. and saw none OF my old
ncquaintances; but IL was no use. there
was nothing I could turn my hand TO.
This profession, as you call II, led me
back into my old set again. 1t IS true
that many OF the houses 1 freQuented
before my disaster overlook me do not
hire guests. I am more In demand by the
uew-rich, Ike Heckle here. who. with
his precious son does not know how 10
treat guest, even when the guest IS
hired"
"But I should think" said Miss Under
ham. that a man like you would 80 10
South Africa or Australia, where there
are great things 10 be done. / imagine
from the insight ! have had into your
character, you would make a good fighter.
why don't you go where fighting IS APP
prcciated and where they DO not call a
policeman
Il have often thought Of IT, Miss Under
ham, but you see, TO secure an appoint
4. 60, .rrs,t
of influence and be able TO pass eXami-
nations 1 can't pass an examination in
anything. / have quarrelled with all my
people and have no influence. To tell
YOU the truth, / am saving up money
now IN the hope of being able 10 buy an
outfit TO go 10 the Cape
"You would much rather be in London,
though. 1 SUPPOSE
yes; II i had a reasonably good in
come"
"Aro you open to a fair offer?"
what do you mean by fair oher?'
Il mean, would you entertain proposal
I'm your present business for remuner-
ation?'
The young man sat for a few moments
and did not look at his companion. When
he spoke there was a shade Of resentment
ia his voice.
Il thought you saw. Miss Linderham
that I was not very proud Of my present
occupation"
mo. but as you said, man VIII 90 any
thing for money"
Il beg your pardon for again contradict
ing you, but never said anything Of the
sort"
'T thought you did when you were
speaking OF the crossings sweeping, but
never mind. l know lady who has
plenty Of money; she Is an artist at least
she thinks she is one, and wishes TO de-
vote her time 20 art. She is continual
ly pestered by offers of marriage. ana
she knows those offers come TO her large
ly because Of her money. Now. this
lady wishes TO marry a man and Will
settle upon him 1900 a year. Would
you be willing 10 accept that offer II
got you an Introduction
1T would depend very much on the
lady" said Stansford.
"Oh. no. It wouldn't, for you would
have nothing whatever 10 do with her
except that you would be her hired nus
band She wants TO devote herself 10
painting, not 10 you, don't you under
stand2 and so long as you did not trouble
her you could enjoy your 1900 a year.
You, perhaps might have TO appear at
some Of the receptions she would give
and / have no doubt she would add
guineas an evening for your presence
That would be an extra, you know.
There was long silence between them
after Maggie Lnderham ceased speaking
The young man Kicked the gravel with
his toes. and his eyes were bent upon the
path before him. He Is thinking y
over" said Miss Linderham to herself
At last Lord Stansford looked up with a
sigh.
Did you see the late scuftie between
the unfortunate Heckle and myseify