The herald., 1898-05-29

But If Captain Overton were indiffer-
ent to all about him, one person, the
young beauty in Lady Hawkshaw's
box, was far from Indifferent to him.
Lady Arabella saw his entrance, and
from that moment she was occupied in
trying to obtain his attention. When
at last he recognized her and bowed
slightly, she famed all over with color,
and gave him as good an invitation as
any man might want to come to her
box. But Overton made no sign of any
intention to go to her, and when she
finally seemed to realize this, she be-
came as Indifferent to all about her as
he was. Other persons came to the box
and went during the play but they got
little heed from Lady Arabella.
When the play was over, we sat still
until the Hawkshaw party had passed
out, and then, more for the sake of
bravado, think, than inclination, Giles
ran pell-mell to the stage door, where
he made one of mob of gentlemen to
see the divine Sylvia to her chair. And,
to my alarm, as soon as the lady was
within and the curtain drawn, he tipped
the wink to one of the chairmen, who
silently gave up his place, and Giles,
taking up the pole, trudged off, assist
ing to carry his portly mistress. There
was nothing for me to do but to walk
along beside him amid the rattle and
roar Of coaches, the shouting of the
hackney coachmen, the pushing and
jostling of chairmen and linkboys, and
all the confusion that attends the emp
tying of a London playhouse. Mrs.
Trenchard's door was not far away,
and when she was put down, and Giles
sneaked off, / observed the handsome
Captain Over.on standing at the turn
of the street laughing at him. Giles,
who was so timid in his love, was bold
enough in his wrath, and stepping up
to Overton, said coolly:
"Sir, L perceive you are smiling. Who
is the harlequin that amuses you, may
ask"
"You, SIR" promptly answered Over
ton.
you are too good" responded Giles,
land I have before pinked my man in
beauty's quarrel'-and then he slapped
Overton in the mouth. The next thing
knew their two swords were flashing
in the moonlight. I stood paralyZed
with fear. Not so couple of burly
dragged them apart.
common cause against the watchmen,
fought them off; and when the watch
men dessted from the fight to spring
their rattles for assistance, both Giles
and the officer ran down q dark alley,
followed by me as fast as my short legs
could carry me, and soon all three of
us We're huddled together in the porch
of a church, some distance away from
the scene of the fracas.
Neatly DONE" remarked Overton,
with smile, to Giles. Il should have
been in that brawny fellows clutches
now, but for the clip over the head you
gave him."
You did your share, sir" politely re-
sponded Giles.
But time presses and our affairs must
be settled" said Overton: here is my
card. 1t is too dark to read it, but I
am Captain Philip Overton, of the Sec
ond Life Guards"
And l." replied Giles, IAN Midship
man Giles Vernon, of the Ajax, ship of
the line, now at Portsmouth"
By the dim light of a lantern in the
church porch, i saw the expression Of
establishment upon Overton's face.
Then" he stammered, I'VE are re-
lated"
Yes" replied Giles, smiling. land if
you pierce me through with sword or
pistol it will be worth one of the finest
estates in the kingdom to you, provided
always that old villain, Sir Thomas
Vernon does not marry and have chill
dren to spite us"
Overton reflected, half laughing and
half frowning.
IF only you had not passed a blow!
Anything else. there could be an accom-
mediation for. 1t was most unfor-
tunate."
Yes, as it turns out" responded
Giles; but the question is, now, when
and where can we meet?"
Just then the great bell of st. Paul's
tolled out the half-hour before mid
night. and l, who had been an almost
unobserved listener spoke, out of the
fullness of my heart
GILES" said l, the coach leaves at
twelve. II we do not get to Portsmouth
in time, we are deserters. Let Captain
Overton write to you and fight after
ward
"Out of the mouths of babes and
sucklings comes wisdom" replied Over
ton, smiling; and so in two minutes it
was settled, Overton agreeing to come
to Portsmouth to fight, if Giles could
not get leave to meet him halfway be-
tween Portsmouth and London. We
then babe him goodbye and ran off as
fast as our legs could carry US, and
barely made the coach.
We travelled all night. Giles sleeping
soundly and snoring very loud, in one
corner.
The roseate morning broke when we
were still some distance from Ports
mouth. The sight of the blooming
hedge-rows the bird songs, and all the
fair beauty of the morning made me
long to be outside, and at the last stage
my companion still sleeping-I got
out, and with shilling to the coach
man, got the box seat. There were
only two or three persons, beside the
guard on the coach
Once up there, / could not rest salts
fled without handling the ribbons. l
had never even driven a donkey in my
left, but, nevertheless. l aspired to
drive four fresh roadsters. The coach
man good ne tured, foolish fellow,
gave me the reins, down a perfectly
smooth lane. I seized the whip, too,
and brought it down across the wheel
ers' backs, and the next thing l knew,
the coach was lying on its side on the
road, and I was on the ground.
1t was over in wink, and it seemed
scarcely longer before it had been
righted; for the load was extremely
light, and no one was hurt except Giles.
He scrambled out of the coach window,
his arm hanging down. not broken but
out of joint I pointed to it and said:
q