The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02
CHAPTER NIII.-(Cintinued

next morning in contrition, thankfulness
and VOWS of amendment The next after
! noon Mr.. Grace gave me n sealed en-
| velope containing the price Of my folly
L hurried home and placed it under lock
and key
dincd quietly, and with a reserved
appetite. l had made no vow to quit the
club, only to gamble no more; SO L took
the meal at the Juveniles. To my an
noyance, Chasham was also dining there
/ L had rot expected to see him SO early,
and regretted l had left the money
wherewth 1 could discharge his claims
at home, not liking to carry such an
amount about longer than needful. step,
! ped across to his table.
viii You be here about ten o'clock to,
night. Captain Chesham?" | asked.
Il will if you wish it; but l have an
! other engagement
Il have your money at home" The
captain bowed. Il will go and fetch il
as soon as l have dined, unless you are
coming my way. Then l would give i,
to YOU
"Albemarle street, isn't it?'
! ! nodded.
Il am going that way. SO, if it saves
| you trouble, VIII call.
He WAS very suave during the short
drive TO my chambers wished | would
have revenge. and all the rest of il: but
have no doubt he was gratitied when he
found ] intended to pay and end the
| transaction. | led the way to my rooms
He followed up the stairs slowly with his
| stiff leg.
AS | opened the door of my sitting room
the fragrant odor of good tobacco was
| percepGhle. Valentine Estmere was
! lounging in my easiest chair and smoking
one of my best cigars.
Chesham paus Il at the threshold or
seeing the room occupied. | advanced
toward the intruder and shook his hand
You are engaged. | see.' he said, with
glance at Asmodeus. Shall | Coz
! "Oh, no | said; Captain CheshaE7
will not keep me Il moment
| Thereupon Valentine deliberately turn,
| ed his back to us, and began examining
! the etchings on my walls with great in
| terest. Chesham, who had dropped into
a chair, locked far from sweetly upon his
| broad back.
! l unlocked my secretairc and gave
! Gresham the envelope. He put it into his
| b'Nhti as though tue IaHSdtlltH WIS
| scarcely worth mentioning. l asked him
more rs compliment than anything else
| if he would take glass Of sherry. Rather
! to my surprise he accepted the offer He
| put his filed glass untastcd on the table
| and made a few ordinary remarks to me
! All the time Valentine was moving round
| the room from picture to picture, envel
! oped in his cigar smoke and studiouSly
| keeping his face from my visitor. There
| was no doubt his avoidance was intcn
! tional Chcsham's steely blue eyes gliS
tened cruel look came in them, while
a most urpleaS SAINT smile crossed his face
! Mr. Estmere," he said. in his metallic
hard voice, you do not appear to know
| me-
Valentine faced round at once. There
was something in his face | had never
seen there before.
"Oh. yes, Captain Gresham" he saic
quietly, Il know you-thoroughly.'
Then why not speak to me-
''Do we ever speak," asked Valentine
"No. we never do" said Gresham. rls
ing and supporting himself with his stick
| which | found he carried when out OF
doors. but as Your mother and are
relations, | have a perfect right to expect
recognition. at least. from YOU.
! Valentine looked at him i'll his mos
| supercliicus manner. Kindly leave Lady
! Estmnre's name out of the conversation.
he said That YOU are some distant con
nection of her family, | know; but | re
serve tho right to ignore it.
Chesbam made a step or two nearel
! Valentine. His face was very unpleasant
as it turned toward the young man. lie
| spoke " it'll cruel distinctncss, so that ev
cry word was bound to reach my ear.
There may he other relations between
! YOU and me, Mr.. Estmcre-nearer rcla
| tious. that others will not ignore. If some
day YOU meet with Sir Laurence Estmer'
and call him father, he will probably in
form you that he claims no right to tina
! endearIag title. which belongs to Il gentle
man of the name of Chesham.
That" said Valentine, is a lie. Hi
voice vas scarcely raised more than us
! ual but as he spoke he struck out full
and fair with his right arm. and ChCS
/ ham fell stunned and bleeding, his hea,
| rafting against the center panel Of m,
cabinet. and bringing about his PROSTATE
form at least twenty pounds worth o
| valuable old china.
was Sc distressed. so surprised a thu
whole scene, that | did not move for
! few moments.
Pie. the fellow up" said Valentine.
picked him up. put him in a chair, re
stored his stick. and waited events. II
was not seriously damaged. and in tn
| course of few minutes began to lOol
about him. His first action was To fee
in his breast pocket and know that m.
envelope WAS safe. His next was to tn k
his hat and prepare to depart.
Il am sorry this should have occurrc,
under my roof, Captain Chesham,'
said.
He took no notice of my remark A
the door he turned and said to Valentine
Ten years ago | would have shot yo1
like a dog for that blow. There are bet
ter ways of revenge than that. You vii
find il 50 before long,!
The hound said Estmere. rs Ches
ham Stumped down the stairs. "Th
hound, If Won caught his meaning
Philip. YOU, who know my mother viii
understand the backness Of his lie. NJ
mother. the pureSt and holieSt-ay. one o
the pruudeSt women IN the world. Th
libel is ludicrous.'
couli only agree with him, although
my ignorance Of his family history pre-
vented N, from saving more. 1t wa
evident nom Chesham's viilainouS aSSeI
ton that Lady E>tmeres husband wa
still alive.
CHAPTER TX.