, 1898-07-20
A DEBT OF HONOR.

It was at Charing Cross station,
where l called to make some inquiries,
and I knew her instantly, though she
was yelled. She recognized me also ard
returned my greeting with Il warmth
which I hoped was not altogether due
to the fact that l was able to cxtricatc
her from a human eddy in which she
was entangled. l forgot all about the
time table and turned back, delighted
that the rush Of the prcoccupicd crowd
around us gave al excuse to keep her
little silk gloved hand upon my arm.
She had been seeing Cousin Phil and
his wife off, she said, and was now, |
guessed, returning to tho desolatc house
in Bloomsbury square. The picture
called up by the thought was so poign-
ant that l proposed a visit to West
minister abbey. She appeared a shade
surprised-I certainly was myself-and
then agreed, with "a little sigh, which
plainly said, "As well there as any.
where else" But once she accepted my
companionship by stepping into the
hansom I called she made, 1 could see,
q distinct effort to take interest in the
multicolored life swirling by.
1.-THE abbey is the first place one
thinks of visiting when one is away
she observed, land yet, when one is at
home, it is SO near that one keeps defer
ring the visit from day to day, and l
am leaving town tomorrow. Papa
meant She did not finish the sen
tence, but added, at is SO kind of you
to give your time"
II am u man of leisure, " said Idryly.
Papa was always in a hurry" she
went on, and then stopped again. All
roads Of conversation led to her father,
and death had written "No thorough
fare across every ono.
Better wear ont than rust ont, " said
I considerably, Though tho best of us
but write their names on water after
all. A very consoling reflection for the
idlers."
Eyes, if everything ended here" she
replied as the cab pulled up and the
great gray temple loomed above us.
If time be duration set out by meas
ure, my watch was of opinion that we
spent two hours here. My conscious
ness, however, has nothing definite to
say on the matter, "the endurance of
all enduring things not being painful
ly prominent. Neither do l remember
having shone among the tombs. On one
thing at least 1 am quite clear. 1t is
when we came out / was decidedly
hungry; SO, a~rtfully plotting my charge
past a restaurant, l suggested lunch.
Here again q lacuha occurs, for l have
nc distinct recollection Of the earlier
stages Of the banquet ave the other
fact that her mode of eating and drink
ing forced me to make comparisons
which would have brought me slowly
to my senses had not the unforeseen,
which has such a trick of happening,
done 30 with p%aralyzing promptitude.
Her little hunting watch had run
down, but tho o~tiicious cuckoo belong
ing to the restaurant clock spoke so
plainly that the young girl almost
jumped from her chair.
"Oh, Mr.. Patterson" she cried,
"what shall l do? l was to call upon
Mr.. Turnbull-he is my guardian, you
know-about papa's will at half past
., and now it is u quarter PAST"
Where does he live?" l asked.
"In the city, !" sho replied despairing-
ly, land, oh, he is so precise, and there
may be delays-you don't know him"
I did, having met him in his profess
sional capacity some years before. when
l was a witness for the defense.
Wen drive there at once!" l cried
royalty. putting my hand in my pocket
while she fumbled for her glove. Then
an awful fact struck me; my purse was
gone. suppose my CONSERVATION got
into my face. for l caught the eye of the
polyglot waiter fixed upon me. He was
tall, and, l doubt not, swift of foot,
and as he smiled thinly l could see that
he had lost one front tooth and all his
illusions. I put my hat on and took it
of again. At another time, in another
place, the incident would have been
merely Imaginable, but now, with herl
l had been 60 blase, so mildly cynical!
Oh, it was unthinkable! l moved to-
ward the counter wl.ch was neal the
door, shadowed by the waiter. who was
mentally calling the police, and APP
preaching the lady in charge explained
the situation. Sac WIS IL German frau
Of spotless morals, and she listened
calmly to my tale. the cold contempt Of
q narrow, Literal ln.ta,u glinting in her
small eyes jfir c5.:ehy IT tho situa-
ton did not striie t.r. She only saw
that l had no u@'n v. "Dey pay. dose
who eat here; dose re de rules" she
reiterated, declining cven to examine
the ring l offered. las a guarantee Of
good faith"
The waiter. who had been fielding In
the immediate vicinity, advanced and
asked me il l had lost anything. l in
quired for the proprietor. but by some
hideous ill luck he was not accessible. I
Aw Miss Langtou, who had gone to the
door, looking back, evidently surprised
at the delay. Then the storm burst.
The German was impenetrable; the
waiter passed. rapidly ,from legitimate
doabt 70 open skeptician ~ I rendered
NJ card. which Wa pot . tu1mn onA.