Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-06-24


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 cues
ton and one not usually discussed be-
fore n lady"
Pardon me. a moment-a single
moment
1t was the voice of Col. Starbottle:
ii was the frilled shirt front, the light
ly buttoned blue coat with its 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.
DISCRIMINATING situation in
which we find ourselves, gentlemen
the reluctant witnesses of-er-what
we trust is only temporary disagree
ment between our charming hostess
and the-er-gentleman whom she had
recognized under the highest title TO
our consideration-is distressing to us
all, and would seem TO amply Justify
THAT gentleman's claims to a 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!
at may be- continued the colonel.
with n blandly reflective air, that the
spectacle of these decanters and
glasses, and the nectar furnished us
l.E c,,,. H.f,l:i.. 1
glass of whisky and water to his lips
while he bowed to Mrs. Grant grace
fully, 'has led the gentleman to such
a deduction. But when / 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 Starbottles insinu-
alton. II entered the house through
the window"
"Of my boudoir. where another in
truder once broke his neck" inter
rupted his wife with a mockng laugh
Where ! once helped this lady 20 re-
gain possession of her house when IL
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, Laughtily, that"
II mean TO imply" said Clarence, with
quiet scorn, that i 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 OF hiudrance
from me-"
"Do you mean TO say, Mr.. Brant -
said Judge Beeswinger, suppressing the
angry interruption Of his fellows with
a dominant wave OF his hand, as he
fixed his eyes on Clarence keenly, that
you have no sympathy with your wife's
political seutiments2"
Il have already given you the iufor-
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 n quivering voice
and curling lip. "Tbere 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 a sacred compact ~
A compact" echoed Mrs. Brant, with
a bitter laugh. "Xesi the compact that