The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-09-05

evening was aware of the extent of Miss
Green's Christian charity, for we dis
covered later II was she who had told
Miss Durham of our little games in the
biIIiard-roorn: II so happened that we
were all in very high spirits that evening;
the little widow was in her wickedeSt
mood. flirting with Durham and Warren,
and distributing her favors with such nice
distinction as TO keep them both in the
best of humors.
AS for Durham, he looked ten years
younger than he was; Mrs. Clifford had
pinned a rose into his button-hole for him,
and his cheeks were nearly as pink as the
rose. he had cigar in his mouth and at
the moment when the apparition that
made us all quake in our shoes appeared.
he was leaning over the billiaTd-table. cue
in hand and one foot in the air, making a
difficult stroke.
His back was to the door, so he was
unaware of the entry of his sister, who
stood just over the threshold aghast at
the scene before her. She was speeches.
with Indignation as she stood holding her
pince-nez to her eyes, contemplating her
brothers very unclerical attitude. Mrs.
Clifford put up her finger and signed to us
all not to warn Mr.. Durham of his sister }
presence. but he must have had some
subtle inkling of it, for he missed the
stroke.
1t was now Mrs. Clifford's turn 10 play,
and her ball was near Durham. She
moved to his side and asked his advice
as 10 what she should do. Now / can't
be positive, because I was on the other
side of the table. but in advising Eer /
am of the opinion that Durham's arm,
stole around her waist as she bent over
the cloth. / am certain that she leant
slightly toward him TO make it easier
for him. | am equally certain she did Il
solely TO annoy Miss Durham, and l mar
veled AT her audacity.
Augustus" exclaimed Miss Durham.
at last giving voice 10 her wrath.
"AuSustus!' Words fail me to describe
the anger, surprise, outraged dignity,
and incredibly that were concentrated in
the exclamation. Augustus arm fell 10
his side as If il had been shot, but ne
was not In mood just then 10 be quelled
even by the women who had held him in
thrall so many weary years.
..Matiida!' he replied. with quite as
much surprise, but less anger than she
had shown Matilda, LET ne find you a
seat: how good OF YOU to join our recrea-
tion."
He turned round as he spoke, and with
his old-fashioned courtesy, pulled for
ward a chair. He showed no sign of
feeling ashamed of himself: in fact, thers
was quiet dignity in his manner which
made me respect him more than / had
ever dore before. Miss Durham evidently
knew her reign was over, for she lid not
dare TO utter another word. but content
ing herself with tossing her chin in the
air, and casting a scOrnful look which
embraced US all, on the assembled CON-
paDy, sh- gave an angry snort and swept
from the room. The little widow booked
across a me. her Irish eyes dancing With
delight al the rout OF the enemy. but the
apparition had left shadow behind, and
our mlrth was subdued for the rest OF
the evening Durham persuaded IS 10
stay up later than usual. partly. ] think,
TO convince US OF his complete emsneipa-
ton, partly because he found II so d.fii-
cult TO tear himself away from Mrs.
Clifford.
He won't hold out another twenry-fOur
hours, and a. soon as he has had MS
qgietus ! mean 20 try m luca,' said
Warren 20 me before we parted for the
night.
/ WAS undecided what I meant TO 81,
except that meant To wait until Durham
and Warren has spoken; IL she refused
them-and | had no doubt al all that she
wouia-then ] might try II j had any
chance. ] was not very hopeful, for she
avoided q trte-a-tetF with me. though
she was always most friendly when We
met, and / was certainly on more init
mate terms with her than any Dne clad
was ] could not, however. honestly ray
that she gave ne the smallest encourage
ment TO think she cared for me In an
way. except az a friend. though the fact
that ] was suffering from oyeTwOTk aud
was in a delicate state OF health called
out her womanly sympathy, AMI she
used TO look after my bodily comforts "
been well.
The relations between The Two nurhami