The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-21

W
you don't mean that you 1COuld put me
in priSOnY'
ranges them alphabetically, and when
it is as complete as his memory can
make it, he goes critically down the list,
making few notes against each. As a
result, it becomes clear to him that he
must seek among strangers for his wife.
He has friend or rather, an &C.
quaintance, an old schoolfellow, who
has developed into one of those curious
social flies that in all ages are to be met
with buzzing contentedly within the
most exclusive circles and concerning
whom, seeing that they are neither rare
nor rich nor extraordinarily clever nor
well born, one wonders 'how the devil
they got therel" Meeting this man by
chance one afternoon, he links his arm
in his and invites him home to dinner.
SO soon as they are left alone with
the walnuts and wine between them
John Ingerfield says, thoughtfully crack
ing hard nut between his fingers:
Twill, I'm going to get married.
tuttt. W II,
I'm sure" replies Will, somewhat less
interested ia the information than in
the delicatcly favored madeira he is
lovingly slipping. who's the LADY,"
81 don't know yet" is John Inger-
fields answer.
His friend glanoes slyly at him over
his glass, not sure whether he is expect
ed to be amused or sympathetically
helpful
81 want you to find one for me. {"
Will Cathcart puts down his glass and
stares at his host across the table.
"Should be delighted to help you,
Jack, ;" he stammers in an alarmed tone.
"'P Pom my soul l should, but really
don't know single woman l could rec
ommend; pom my soul don't"
''You must see good many. l wish
you'd look out for one that you could
recommend.
Certainly I will, my dear Jack, "
answers the other in relieved voice
"never thought about 'em in that way
before Dare say shall come across the
very girl TO suit you. I'll keep my eyes
open and let you know"
Il shall be obliged to you if you
will, b" replies John ngerfeld quietly,
"and it's your turn, think, to oblige
me- Will. l have obliged you, if you
recollect. "
"Shall never forget it, my dear Jack, "
murmurs Will, a little uneasily at
was uncommonly good Of you. You
saved me from ruin, Jack-shall think
about it to my dying day"
"No need to let it worry you for Sc
long period as that" returns John,
with the faintest suspicion of smile
| playing round his firm mouth. Tile
You can discharge the debt then, and
the matter will be off your mind. "
Will finds his chair growing uncom-
Portable under him, while the madeira
somehow loses its flavor He gives q
short, nervous laugh.
by Jove," he says, $50 soon as that
The date had quite slipped my memory. u
Fortunate that | reminded you,
says John, the smile round his lips deep
ening.
Will fidgets on his seat. I'm afraid
my dear Jack" he says, II shall have
to get you to renew it, just for IL month
or two. Deuced awkward thing, but II
remarkably short of money this year
Truth is l can't get what's owing Il
myself.
''That's very awkward certainly" re-
plies his friend, because am not at al
sure that shall be able to renew it. "
Will stares at him in some alarm.
but what am | to do if haven t the
money!"
John Ingerfeld shrugs his shoulders.
lyon don't mean, my dear Jack, tha
you would pat me in PRISON."
"Why not? Other people have to g
there who can't pay their debts"
VIII Cathcart's alarm grows to seri
GUS proportions,
but our friendship" he cries
"our''-
my dear Will, interrupts the 9th
en- there are few friends l would lenC
$500 pounds to and make no effort Il
get it back, You certainly are not one
of them"
LET us make IA bargain, he con
tinues. Find me wife. and on thu
day of my marriage l will send you
back that bill with perhaps couple o.
hundred added If by the end of mex
month you have not introduced me t.
lady fit to be and willing to be Mrs
John Ingerfield, | shall decline to renew
it"
John Ingerfeld refills his own glas
and Hospitality pushes the bottle toward
his guest, who. however, contrary to hi
custom, takes no notice of it, but stare.
hard at his shoe buckles.
'Are you serious?" he says at length
"Quite serious" is the answer 90
want to marry. My wife must be lad,
ITO be c, ntinued.1