The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-01

lip; the under lip was thick and sensual.
He was leaning on the table holding
his cards. with low-crowned hat thrust
on the back of his head, and short pipe
held between his teeth. Coarse and rsck-
less as he seemed, there was something
in his manner and demeanor which
showed him to be superior to his sur
roundings, and his dress, knickerbock-
er suit of light tweed, with q collarless
flannel shirt thrown open at the throat,
WAS cut like the dress of gentleman.
This was Patrick Blake, one of the
Blakes of Ballyveen, very old Mayo
family.
AS Langford appeared he looked up
with an angry exclamation.
"Monomondianoll' he cried. ''Who's
this that comes into the society of gentle
men without knocking and asking leave?
O, it's you, is it, Mr.. Philip Langford,
he continued, with sarcastic grin, land
may / ask what the devil brings you SO
far away from Castle Cratg?''
Tive come to look for you," answered
Langford sternly, land to talk to you, if
you're sober enough to listen.'
Blake flung down his cards with an
oath, and, springing to his feet, seized
the whisky bottle as if about to hurI it
at the others head, but Linnie the lawyer
seized his arm and whispered in his ear.
He nodded and laughed tipsily, and sank
back into his chair.
"AlI right he said. "Come in Lang
ford If you've brought us any news of
my cousin Kate we're at your service
Langford walked into the room and
stood at the end of the table, confronting
the group.
"You know well I've brought no news.
I've come to seek it, and warn you
Have drinkl'' cried the young man
insolently. Here, Carey, ring in anoth-
er bottle of Jameson, and chalk it up to
yours truly
upon the scene-a girl of about twenty,
dressed in a short gown and petticoat of
peasant woman, and barefooted. She
was singularly handsome, with bright
golden hair, pale complexion, and large
grey eyes, but her expression was bold
and reckless, that of a woman who had
lost the freshness and innocence of youth.
ssSorra drop more you'll have this
morning" said the girl. you're drunk
enough already"
" Hould your tongue, Mary p cried one
of the men, John Carey the landlord of
the inn.
''And I'll not hould my tongue, father,
SO long as I see Mr.. Patrick drinking
his sinse away and you looking on,
of the door and folding her arms defiant
ly. ''Spake to the gintleman oivilly,
Mr.. Patrick. Maybe he's. here for your
good. -
Blake laughed loudly, and winked at
the lawyer.
tSit down, Mary acushla, and don't be
fool!'' he said; then, squaring his chin,
and looking Mt Langford, "Well, fire
away! What Is it2"
''In the first place, +" said Langford, ST
warn you that Captain Kennedy and the
police are after you, and will be here i'm
mediately."
A murmur ran round the room.
$50 that's it, is itP' cried Blake. "It
was mighty polite of you to come and tell
me. And what may tie police want with
me, may I ask?"
"You are suspected. rightly or wrongly
of having something to do with the dis
appearance of your cousin, Miss Gather
inc Power. 1t is well known that you
attacked her on former occasion, and
that you We more than once threatened
her life
The young mans face went white, with
rage and terror, and he uttered savage
oath.
"Take care what you say. Mr.. Lang
ford, said the lawyer. "Mr. Blake is
my client, and your language is acttona-
ble.'
"He knows that I speak the truth, -
answered Langford, sternly.
81 know this, Philip Langford," said
Blake, leaning over the table and looking
fiercely into his face, THAT you're what
you always have been, a meddler and
fool. AS for my cousin, she got what
she deserves, since she came between me
and my birthrighti Yes-by -, my
birthright! And If she's dead, as they
say, what then? The more fool she I
offered to make her Mrs. Blake, and to
share the estate with her, and she showed
me the door. Then you came creeping
after her, bad luck to you, but more
power to her she sent you to the right
about after me! She'd sense enough for
that, any wayr'
ITO be continued.