The Irish standard., 1897-07-31

offs man who is puzzled butwon't admit
it-"well, Sir. what is your opinion?
Mind, your honest opinion"
"Demetrius." said l, slowly, search
ing for suitable epithet and selecting
the one upon my tongues tip, sis a
damned coward"
And your reasons?" he snapped.
His restless eyes sparlxled as the adj
jective sputtered from my lips.
lie turned tail to save his own hide.
The boy was taken to save appearances.
When Mark was in real danger-alone
on the sands with Burlington-Demet-
rius was indecently Indifferent. But
when the doctor apprehcndcd violent
symptoms and our friend thought that
he might be exposed to them. why,
then"
lie wilted. eh?'
Eyes; the naked coward cbtruded it,
self"
"You don't know him, young man."
POSSIBLY not"
"Ile is no coward. have known De-
mctrus for 80 years-a long time.
repeat, he is no coward"
touched up the horses with tho
flick Of the whip. and the action be-
trayed me. for Gerard laughed
Take it coolly." he said. Young
men, nine times out of ten, misconstrue
the motives which govern human ac-
tons. Remember that have made
stuly, profitable study, of my fellow
creatures"
".All the same" l said. doggedly, che
is Il coward"
THAT'S quite right. Stick to your
prisrd that you should have taken Bur-
lngton to my house"
could not excuse myself without ac-
cusing Nancy, so held my peace.
"llowevcr." he continued, thoughtful.
ly, 1--WE have the man where we can
, watch him. You may yet earn that big
salary"
al expect to-" rctorted, bluntly. I
was cursing myself for speaking out
! so plainly. In damning the cowardico
Of the Greek had also, by inference,
I damned the cowardice of my employer.
My tongue, as usual. had outstrippcd
my hating brain. l was still in my
salad dnys and II ncHicc in the art Of
dialogue.
IL suppose" said Gerard, carclcssly,
"that you have fallen in love with
Nancy"
The question took me so completely
by surprise that my stupid face flushed
scarlet. l began to realize that this
man. whose bodily presence was so con-
trmptiblc, was, cnnvcrsationally speaks
ing. dandlng me in his arms.
81 don't blame YOU" continued Gc-
rnru. in his most mattcr-offnct tones.
"Shc is pretty girl and very intclli-
gent. IT. would interest mo to know
whct
''No; she doesn't"
''Fhank you. like to he posted. No
no; don't frown. | dare swear that
she will say yes, AMI you may live to
wish it had been no."
He had dropped his tonc of banter and
spoke gl""mlly, in sour, raucous uc-
cents. This man had achieved much
that the world prizes. His keen brain
and extraordinary acnmen had borne
him triumphant upon the top wave Of
success. Now that he had brought his
heavily -frciglltcd vessel into safe har-
bnrnge. I've had leisure to read the log
and estimate the wear md tear. T
watched him us he leaned back wcurilv
against the wcll-pnd,lrd cushions of
the buggy and made Il small calcula-
ton. Divide wealth. rs many millions
MS You please, by health. subtract time,
and what is left? Answer, the man be-
side me. hnggard. wizcncl, prcrnaturely
gray.
So, after all. he had seen the CONS
plicntion of my falling in love with
Nnncy--hnd counted the probability rs
gain, an extra rivet to bind me to his
service. What n pnppet had been!
I'm sorry the boy is from home,"
he mnttcrcd. 81 should have enjoyed
seeing him. Denctr,,s is ovrrcautious
I'll fnult or the right side"
He asked me innumcrablc questions
about the lad. displaying his talent for
cross-cxan:ination, and with it his re-
marknble love for his son. Mrs. Gerard,
it appeared. had been kind enough to-
give me more credit than ! deserved,
and her husband expressed his apprcci-
ntion of my efforts in I, characteristic
fashion.
"Nou arc not giving me value re-
rrivcd," he said. brnsnucly, "but you've
done all asked and more"
wondered whether Mrs Gerard In
her letters had mentioned my eXcur-
sion into Cupids dornnin, and answered
the question in The negative.
'I'm IL generous man," Gerard ccn-
tinncd. with that curious infection in
his voice which ! had remarked when he
had pressed upon mc his rarcst vines;
''and my &tcpdahgh have found
out, of course. that she is my step
daughter will be handsomely tlow-
cred. dare say shall give her !; pic
t',re or two-thnt 'Corstube,' perhaps
if"
If" I repeated.
"lf she marrics the right fellow"
What. asked myself. did he mcan7
That there wn.; meaning behind cvc1y
word he spoke could no longer doubt.
Why did he remind me of spNler7
Why - hHlnilatng reflection - did
compare myself to II fly? These quex-
tons were adequately answered later.
Our tulk for the present WAS over. Tho,
lights Of The housc were in sight. Tho
familiar roar Of the surf became louder
nnd louder. ard the dogs, brace Of
handsome Lloodhounds. bay-1 melcd-
ouHIy.