Omaha daily bee., 1897-08-01

the one a fat, infirm fellow, with a pallid face
and the air of a rich citizen. the other a
peevish, red-eyed atomy in a green fur
lined coat, were of this party. They had not,
| think, been of the happiest before, seated
in the midst of that crew, but now, sinking
back in their highbacked chairs, they stared
at me as If l carried death in my face. A
neighbor of theirs surpassed even them, for
with a howl that the secretary was on them
and the officers were below, he kicked over
his chair and dashed for a window, pausing
only when he had thrown it up.
However, even then the recklessness of
some of the party was evident, for while |
stood. uncertain to whom to speak, one of
the more drunken staggered from his seat,
and giving a shrill-voiced helloa, that might
have been heard in Bedford house, made to-
ward me with a cup in his hand.
"Drink!' he cried, with a hiccough, as he
forced it on me. Drink! To the squeezing
of the rotten orange. Drink, man, or you are
no friend of ours, but a sniveling, sneaking,
white-faced son of a Dutchman, like your
master! So drink and no leavings, Orch,
what is it? What Is the matter?"
PART XI.
CHAPTER XIX.
1t was no small thing could enlighten that
brain, clouded by the fumes of drink and con-
ceit, but at length the silence, now perfect
and clothing panic-a silence that had set in
with his first word, and a panic that had
grown with a whisper which passed round
the table-came home to him. What is it?
What is the matter?" he repeated, with a
silly, drunken laugh. And he turned to look.
No one answered him, but he saw the
strange sight which l had already seen-his
fellows fallen away from him and budding
on the further side of the table, as sheep
huddle away from the sheep dog; some pale,
crosseyed and with lips drawn back, seek
ing softly in their cloaks for weapons; while
others stood irresolute or leaned against the
wall shaking and unneryed.
A ; that ~ tn t,nn,l
than half sobered. Wont he drink the
~toast?" he maundered in an uncertain voice.
"Why-why not, I'd like TO know? Eli?
Why not?' he repeated, and staggered.
AT that some one in the crowd laughed
Historically, and, this breaking the spell, a
second round his voice. God! 1t is not the
man. the latter cried with a rafting oath.
1T Is not! | swear it is mott" he continued
In harsh eXultation. Here you speak fool
he went on to me. what do you here?"
This for Mr.. wilkins, | answered, hold
ing out my note.
| meant no jest. but the words supplied the
signal for such a roar of laughter as wei!
nigh lifted the roof. The men were still be-
tween drunk and sober and in the rebound of
their relief staggered and chung to one an
other and bent this way and that in a very
parOXysm of conclusive mirth. Vaialy one or
two less heady than their fellows essayed
to stay a tumult that promised every mo-
ment to rouse the watchmen; ii was not until
after a considerable interval. nor until the
more drunken had laughed their fll-and |
had asked myself a hundred times If these.
We're men to be trusted with secrets and
others necks-that the man with the white
handkerchief, who had just catered, gained
at last silence and a hearing. This done.
EDwever, he rated his fellows with the ut
most anger and contempt; the two elderly
gentlemen whom | have mentioned adding
their quavering, passionate remonstrances TO
his. But as In this kind of association there
can be little discipline, and those are most
forward who have least to lose, the hotSeads
only booked silly for the moment, and the
next were calling for more liquor.
mot a bother" said he of the white hand
kerchief. Nom de Dieu, not a bottle"
Come, captain, we are not on service
now. one demonstrated.
Aren't you?" said he, looking darkly at
them.
mo, rot we!' cried the other, recklessly.
And what is more, we will have no regi-
ment du Roi regulations here. Is not a gen
tleman to have a second bottle IL he wants
one?"
at is ~ O'clock replied the captain,
firmly. For the love CT heaven, man, wait
until this business is over and then drink
until you burst, If you please! For me, am
going to bed"
but who is this--lord! don't know what
to call him!' the fellow r%etorted, turning
with a half-drunken gesture to me. This
gentleman dancing master?"
"a messenger from the old Fox. Mr..
Taylor, | think he calls himself" the officer
answered, turning to me.
Yes" said /.
well, you may go. Tell the gentleman
who sent you that Watkins got his note, and
will bear the matter in mind"
| said | would: and was going with that,
and never more glad than to be out OF that
company. But the fellow who had asked who
l was and who being thwarted of his drink
was now out of temper called rudely to know
SIAr \ mn nnWF Nsfn aud nhn HiGnAI ma nnf
like a lord, swearing that Ferguson's sery-
ice must be a id deal better than the one
he was in, and the pay higher than a poor
troopers. This gave the cue 10 the man
who had before forced the drink on
me. who. still having the cup In his hand,
thrust himself In my way, and forcing the
liquor on me 80 violently that be spilled