The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-11-10


was drugged by Raymond. Five years
Later Raymond turns up as the unnamed
heir to elGim the property on December
5, 1892. The death certificate had said that
Olmstead died on December 5 instead of
December 6.
CHAPTER I.-Continued.
Unacquainted as he was with wine,
Stanton was forced to admit that it
was a wonderful product. Before he
realized what he was doing, he had
lighted fresh cigar and made himself
comfortable in one of Raymond's up
holstered arm-chairs.
1t seemed but moment later when
he opened his eyes with a start and
confused chagrin at the conviction that
he had actually dropped asleep while
Raymond was talking; but his eyes
once open rested full upon Sam, who
was laying his morning mail upon his
dressing case, and over Sans shoulder
upon the clock, which declared that it
was after ten.
Six days out of seven Stanton entered
his Office on the stroke of nine, and this
was not the seventh day.
Seeing that Sam had noticed his open
eyes, he simply remarked: 81 am
ready for my bath, SAM" but when
the man went out TO prepare it, the
young lawyer rose slowly and stood
looking into his own face in the mirror,
as though he might learn from it some
thing which he very much wished to
know.
'society!" he muttered, In unutter-
able disgust, and began slowly poking
the letters about that he might read the
postmarks.
1t is pleasant to have broad shoulders
upon which to lay the burden of our
shortcomings, even the overloaded
shoulders of society.
One letter attracted his attention,
more from its weight than from the
fact that the handwriting was Miss
Lombard's. 1t had evidently been de-
Hvered by messenger. He opened it
mechanically and held in his hand Miss
Lombard's card and their diamond en-
gagement ring-nothing more.
rs it broken, / wonder?' he NUT
tered, slowly turning the ring over, be-
fore it dawned upon him that it was the
engagement, not the ring, which was
obviously the broken thing.
creature of instinct, following in
stinct, he stretched himself, yawned,
and went into the bathroom, saying to
himself: THANK heaven, there'n be
no more society, no more clubs, no
more wine, for me-"
As Sam was leaving the bathroom,
Stanton turned upon him and asked.
abruptlyi "Was l brought home drunk
last night, Sam2"
Too sharp question or command
had always bewildered Sam, and always
would. A man often speaks the truth
when he is bewildered. Sam muttered:
"Yes, SIR" and then wished he had de-
MED it.
did the Lombards bring me home?"
eyes, sir" said Sam; and, as there
was nothing more, he went out to kick
himself about for the rest of the day.
AT the office Stanton found letter
from the elder Lombard. lie half eX-
pected it. He swung his chair into the
best light and made himself secure in
the seat before he opened it; but it was
very short. He read:
'pear Sir;-After the disgraceiul ex-
hibition which you made of yourself
at our home last night, my daughter
wishes me to say that love or respect
from her would be no longer possible.
Kindly allow all intercourse with our
family to cease with this letter. We re-
quire no explanation and would accept
no apology"
Slowly tearing it in pieces, Stanton
said to himself:
II rather like that letter, It's very
much to the point, and there's no am
biguity; but ] wish / knew how ! got
myself to his house and what l did
there. probably shall know, some
day, and things will adjust themselves.
They always do"
They did adjust themselves, but not
precisely as he anticipated. The first
intimation of an adjustment came to
him through the newspaper, in the an
nouncement of the marriage of Miss
Lombard and Mr.. Richard Raymond.
He thought of the glass of wine, and
with shudder sprang to his feet.
Presently he was restlessly pacing
the room, muttering: absurd! Sim
ply impossible. Why shouldn't he mar
ry her if he wants to? Why shouldn't
she marry himP He can tell her more
ir ten minutes than most men could In
an hour. Shed have been bored TO death
shut up with me. Upon my word, be-
lieve it was fortunate all around. I've
had enough of society. I'm sat.sfied
I've come necr enough to marriage to
know that I'm not adjustable. It's an
excellent place to STOP"