The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-30

tQd1VYuluNu txu4 Sutok WsAe~e ~ s>s~
street lsading TO The Kings AFus, .
ool!se house patronised BY the patrician
clssa. He had taken particular pains
with his toilet. His wig. neatly comb
ed and curled, was tied with new rib
ION. He had also sewed fresh rufiies
around tho frsyed edges of his sleeves
and turned the silver hatband best side
out. ss
It was quits dark, and the lanterns
suspended from the houses were being
lit along the narrow up hin streets. He
quickened his steps as he neared the
coffee house, for he saw the familiar fig
ure in the long cloak and scallop hat
standing in the gray moonlight, the
white turbaned Hindoo erect and tire
less by his side.
As they pushed open the two leaved
door and entered, CHEEKY scene greeted
them. Small, social looking tables and
benches were scattered about the bare
ly furnished room. A large fire Of res
inous logs burned in the tiled fireplace,
throwing dazzling light upon the
sanded floor. Near it stood the glisten-
ing coffee and tea pots. Men were gath
cred in laughing groups about bar in
one corner, drinking ale from long
mugs. Others sat reading or confiden-
TALLY conversing at the different tables.
One of his majesty's players near the
fire was singing a catch. which few
Of the merriest gentlemen appreciative.
ly applauded:
alley, nonny mol
Men are fools that wish to die.
Is't not fine to dance and sing
When the bells Of death do ringf
Is't not fine to swim in wine
And turn upon the toe
And sing hey, nonny no,
When the winds blow and the seas Howl
Hey, nonny mol"
Passing slowly between the scattered
groups, Peter noticed his new friend
looking into the face Of every man with
the quiet, intent eagerness he had no.
ticed before, and he wondered what it
could mean. His gaze was too meas
ured, too direct to be accidental, and
some Of the men who encountered it
lifted their brows. looked curiously aft
or him and fell to whispering with one
another.
"Let Us sit in yonder dim corner and
have dish Of coffee together" said the
stranger, throwing back his long cloak
and taking the seat which faced the
door.
The Hindoo stood behind him, his
arms folded on his breast and his SOM
Der, unreadable eyes fixed patiently
ahead. Peter glanced at him once, and
cold feeling Of apprehension stole over
him. For whom was he waiting? For
whom was his master looking? What
was the secret they guarded in common
"Now, pray you, tell me your
name. 1t ia meet we should know some
thing Of each other, said the stranger.
my name is Peter Ricket."
"And your agef" continued the other,
looking dreamily at him as the serving
man placed the coffee before them.
II was IS on last Twelfth Night"
edo you never grow weary Of play
er's life?"
"In faith l do. sir. I would rather be
gentleman" said Peter laughingly.
"Well, and you can. like you. be-
lieve in you. need secretary on my
estate, to which return shortly. Come
and be also my friend" said the
stranger, laying his white, scholarly
hand on Peters and smiling into the
lads astonished face.
"Ah, sir" said Peter warmly, II
would desire it above all things, but
my learning is small. l command RI
diculous penmanship.
"What matters that!" asked the
stranger and then continued with a
new earnestness: Upon the stage your
face and voice attracted me from the
first. Something in your personality ap-
peals to me powerfully. You are so
glad, 10 young, so like what once was
Your smile awakens memories Of my
own boyhood, when l, too was happy.
Say. is't bargain?"
with all my heart" cried Peter,
grasping his hand. II am alone in the
world. Oh, sir, if you need a friend,
trebly need one. And to travel Did Oh
say indeed we were to trayeli"
AYE, indeed"
"And where?' leaning his elbows on
the table and fastening his dancing eyes
on the others face. "To Paris? Ecod,
? do SO love the French9
, "Assuredly to Paris And now let
me tell you something Of myself. /
!, have had curious life. Has any other
man survived an experience like mine,
! wonder? But of that later. My name
is Richard Wayling am an English
man, but up to eight years age passed
my life in India. My father went thith-
CT with the East India company, eaking
, ME with him when l was child in
arms"
; "Have you profession" asked Pc
ter. "Your appearance bespeaks the
artist"
IL have no profession, he said, drop
ping his lids When he looked up again,
there was an aroused expression in his
eyes, which deepened as he spoke but
> have a quest which can never for,
sake, an idea which overpowers all 9th
|. ers, longing which pursues me night
= and day, a fixed purpose which scorchet
my heart like hot iron. secret hope
which l calculate upon and dream over
. All, Peter, you know not what it means
to have loved woman better than youl
life, do you? Nay, you are too young
You know not what it Is to-
; The Hindoo suddenly laid his hant
y with soft deliberateness upon his mas
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