The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-03-26
CHAPTER VI.
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II Peyton Fitzhugh really desired to
take the midnight express for Washing
ton, his were certainly very leisurely
movements to reach it.
He lounged into the Maryland club
unusually empty, as it chanced,- a
cigar and sat down with an evening
paper, glancing over its margin at every
one entering the hall beyond, Men
passed in or out, occasionally, until, at
last, TALL athletic man, bronzed and
careless in dress, entered the club and
strolled into the billiard-room.
Laying aside his paper, the watcher
| lounged into the same room, carelessly
/ taking a cue from the rack and testing
! the balls on the nearest table.
"Hellol Peyton, old boyr
"Why, Carroll Meredith Is that you?"
The greetings were simultaneous, as
their eyes met; and the last conner
grasped Fitzhugh's hand warmly, as he
queried:
where in thunder do you come
fromP Haven't heard of you since we
parted in Paris last year"
|
months, and been good deal in socie-
ty-"
Damn society,"" calculated Carroll
Meredith, with prfunctory profanity;
adding, with largely-lacking respect:
whats in it, anyway? A lot of green
girls and greener ships, or, worse yet,
old boys and girls playing young.
hate mutton dressed lamb fashion, Pey-
ton. Got sick of it long ago. BY Georgel
cure old enough to know it all through,
too"
''Stopl No allusion to my age" Fitz-
hugh laughed. Come, let's have glass
of wine to the jolly days in Paris"
"Um-um!" Meredith shook his head
rather ruefully. Cant do it, old boy.
Neuer drink anything now, Why, I've
tasted nothing but coffee since | got
home. You know my love for it? Well,
Pm the moral bachelor of the club now"
You always were; but now you look
it," the other laughed back.
That's exposure. just back from a
duck hunt" Meredith retorted, with
quick glance in the mirror. "That con-
founded nose of mine colored like a
meerschaum years ago. but an a regu-
lar Father Mathew, now"
"Well, try carom game while we
talk" Fitzhugh proposed. 81 suppose
your morals won't blush if drink
glass of champagne? I've been at a
swell musicale; but it was too union
there to suit my taste, SO slipped off
before supper Carroll, why does Mrs.
Gray"
The other man had crossed to the
rack. AT the name, the cue he grasped
hung half suspended, as he wheeled
and stared at the speaker.
Pardon me-" the other continued,
courteously. 81 had forgotten that
Gilmor Gray was your cousin. But,
really, to as the bluecoats must CRATE a
bit. ] suppose there's good reason for
it sometimes-diplomacy, CONVEYANCE,
or what not; but | don't care for too
much of it myself.
i Carroll Meredith glanced cautiously
and quickly about the room, then into
the hall, approaching the table as
though about to say something serious.
Then, suddenly changing his mind, he
asked, bluntly:
why didn't you go across. then?
You're Virginian, a great rider and a
crack shot Mosby needs men; so does
Stuart. But perhaps my question is"
mot the least in the world" Fitz-
hugh replied, suavcly. 1--we only
been back awhile, and I'm so deuced
lazy, you know. Besides, there's moth
ing doing across just now. In the
spring | will be in my native state
And, Carroll''-he drew closer, looking
steadily in the others eyes, and his
voice grew vibrant, with solemn ring
in tiff the end does not show me
worthy of my name and race, may you
all-may God Himself-curse the trail
tors grave in which lie."
The Marylander extended frankly
his strong, brown hand, as he said,
warmly:
Pardon my awkwardness, Peyton.
I'm a blunt, rough fellow, not one of
you society men, but I'm man enough
to recognize another when meet him.
know you're all right, old boy. The
fellow that out-boxed, out-wrestled and
outran me at Charlottesville, that took
away my prettiest partner at Mabille,
could never funk I'll hear of you yet
Here, Sam" he called to the negro ad-
vancing with the wine cooler, bring
another glassl-Peyton, old fellow, I'll
take just one drink to your coming
shoulder straps!''
The clock on the mantel chirned
eleven as the two men drained their
glasses. The Virginians black eyes
shot one anxious glance at the dial;
then, as they rested on the frank, rudy
face of his companion, something crept