The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-16
A DEBT OF HONOR.
From the London -.

outer edge of the small circle gathered
round a couple Of ecarte players at :hs
Nebulus Club.
Archie Lidyard-"
Never heard OF him; he's got the card
fever pretty strongly. eh2' he added. as
they moved away to the other end Of the
room.
Young foolr' CALCULATED Dun. as he
flung himself into a seat and ordered his
/ whisky and soda, ''hes just going the
/ pace as fast as he can. Nv. known him
since he was 50 high, all legs and Eton
| collar! His mother is a charming woman.
but a great deal too weak TO deal with a
fellow like that"
Abr remarked Lorraine, without any
/ great interest, "and who's the man he's
| playing with?'
a friend Of Val Travers; a colonial. I
| fancy. Mr.. James Ruthven. by name.
/ Why viii youngsters like Lidyarl always
| choose such opponents
"YOu don't think"
ooh. nor interposed Dun, hastily.
Everything is all square. I've no doubt,
only Archie Lidyard's about as nit TO
/ hold a card against cool-headed. ex-
\ perienced man, as 1 am to discuss the
I
! terbury. I say. waiter, can't that win,
dow be made to shut behind there?" he
| remarked. testify. to the man who set hts
/ glass down beside him. There's a most
! abominable draught."
| Yes, sir, I'll see, sir, replied the waiter
/ quickly. as he Jumped upon the window
sill behind the couch on which the two
/ friends sat, and began to tussle with the
| window.
| Us this young friend of yours rich?"
/ asked Lorraine, noticing that his compan-
/ ion was still watching the party at the
card table.
| Archie Lidyard? I'm not sure that l
| should call him a friend of mine. l like
| his mother, but I've small patience with
| the young jackanapes. Rich. No, not
at present, at any rate the father was a
| big ironmaster who made colossal for
| tune, and unluckily for young hopeful
| over there, died half a dozen years ago,
! the man was tolerably clear-sighted,
| though and left the bulk of his money
to his wife, stipulating that Archies
| minority should not terminate til he
| reached his 18th year, and that until that
| time his allowance should not exceed
a certain figure He has to go through
! couple of years before he attains his ma
/ jority, and, in consequence, poor Mrs.
/ Iidyard lives in a chronic state Of pull
| ing her son out of the mire, paying his
debts and sending him on his way to sin
no more. It's terribly hard on the poor
| woman. He's an only child, and, of
course, there's nothing she wouldn't do
! for him"
| Very sad. But l say, Duff" broke off
! Capt Lorraine lit does seem to me that
! the Nebulus Club is about the coolest
| place in London"
sharp bang, and the waiter leaped down
| from behind them.
you won't feel anything more OF the
draft now, L think, sir" he said. address
%oh, is it shut now? You were precious
| long time about it."
Some one near the card table called to
| the waiter, and he hurried there; at the
| same moment Archie Lidyard rose.
| mo, 1 won't take my revenge tonight"
| he said, with an attempt at laugh;
whats the amount of my debt, Mr. Ruth
Let me see, f5OO-yes, 1855 But there 5
| no hurry If you haven't your check book
with you. You can send Il round to my ho-
| tel any time tomorrow, / don't leave FOR
| Paris till the night MALL
Thank you" said young Lidyard. I'd
| sworn off cards for 1 should have had il
with me. You are putting up at the sa-
ny Eyes. No. g. replied Ruthven. You
may as well come and lunch with me?''
II will if l possibly can said young
Lidyard; but II not, III send check
round Stay, though" he exclaimed, sud-
denly, 81 can discharge portion of my
debt at once" The flush deepened on his
| cheeks as he fumbled IN his pocket book
/
his hand shook little as he held it toward
! Ruthyen This Is for $780," ne explained
you shall have the rest tomorrow"
Ruthven in his turn glanced at the
check.
''To Eve LAdyardw he read, half aloud,
in a tone of some surprise.
| my mother" replied young Lidyard, a
little sharply. II think you will find the
| Endorsement all right. l Will give you an
1 o u for the balance"
He was about to call for the waiter,
when the man, who had been standing at
his side throughout the transaction, hand
| ed him the writing materials.
Archie Iddyard wrote the acknowledge
| ment, spoke a few words to those around
him, and then left the room; it was EVIL
| dent in spite of the young mans efforts
| at calmness and unconcern, that the loss
was a serious one and the evening 3 Work
no laughing matter.
! But James RuthVen was naturally in n
| more cheerful mood. he was not poor
! man. but he was far enough from being
a millionaire to feel no slight satisfaction
at the respectable sum of his winnings.
Five hundred and fifty-hve pounds was
| total worthy of consideration, and il
must be confessed that he looked at the
| slip of paper bearing the pretty signature
of Eve Lidyard" on the back with a
certain amount OF complacency before
| retiring to rest.
He was aroused next morning by a loud
| knocking at his door.
| "Eh? Come in-What's the matter; what
4
| "Asiady to see you, SIR,
"What?'
Ruthven admitted the servant, glanc-
ing at his watch as he passed; it was just
$50; who could wish to see him so soon?''
"a lady to see me, did you say?'
Yes, sir"
What sort Of a lady?' inquired Ruth
ven. obviously.
II can't rightly say, sir; she's got a
thick veil on, and she's all in black"
Did she give you cardY'
mo, sir"
Most extraordinary; go down and ask
her If she can tell you her business"
In a few minutes he returned.
ITS a Mrs. Lidyard. sir; and she says
her business is very private"
MRS. Lidyardp' Like a flash the pretty
signature at the back of the check came
back to him. ASK her into the sitting
room" he said quickly. Say / will be
with her directly"
He dressed hurriedly; what could she
want with him?
You wish TO see me- madam" he ask
ed as five minutes later he closed the door
of his private sitting-room behind him.
A tall, black-robed figure advanced to