Evening journal., 1900-12-03

brought up Carr, hdUing bv this time
presented him TO Sir George.
But far from being better the follow
ing morning, Denis was much worse.
Charles, who had sat up most of the
night with him, and who came down to
breakfast more cool and Indifferent than
ever, at once extinguished any hope that
still remained that he would be able to
take his part that night
Great was the CONSERVATION Of the
whole party. A vague feeling of resent
ment against Denis prevailed among the
womankind who, having all preserved
their own healths intact for the occasion
land each by her own account was
chronic invaid), felt it was extremely
inconsiderate, not to say indelicate, of
"a great man like him" to spoil every
thing by being laid up at the wrong
moment.
But what was to be done? Denis was
i'll, and without Denis the play could not
proceed. Must the whole thing be given
up. There was a general chorus of la-n-
entation.
Il see no alternative" said Charles.
unless some Cart.us viii leap into the
gulf and go through the piece. reading
the part; and that is always a failure at
the best Of times"
At that moment / had an idea. it
broke upon me like a flash Of lightning.
Valentine Carrl l had seen him act in
the theatricals on the steamer the very
part Denis was TO have taken. How Won
derfully fortunate that it should have
occurred to mel
told Charles that I had friend WHO
had acted that part only the week be-
fore. ".You" cried Charles, losing ell
his customary apathy. you don't say
so. Great heavensl where is he? Out
with himl Where is he at this moment?
England, Ireland, Scotland or Waless
Where is this treasure concealed"
"Oh, Col. Middletonl Oh, how de-
hghtfulp cried a number of gentle
voices; and was instantly surrounded
and all manner Of questions put to me.
Would he come? Was he tall? And oh,
had he beard? He had not beard,
had he? because it would not do for the
part. Did he act well? When had he
acted? Where had he acted?
Sir George interrupted the torrent of
interrogation.
''Do you think he would come" he
asked.
Il am almost sure he would" said;
che is a great friend of mine"
1T would be an exceedingly good nat
ured and friendly act" said Sir George.
"Charles-no, l mean Ralph-bring a
telegraph form, and if you viii write a
telegram at once, Middleton, will send
it to the station directly. We shall
have an answer by 10 o'clock, and until
then we will not give up all hope, though
of course we must not count on your
friend being able to come at such short
notice"
The telegram was written and de-
spatched Carr having given me an ad-
dress where letters would find him,
though he said he did not put up there.
/ sincerely hoped he would not be out OF
the way on this occasion, and I was not
a little pleased when, few hours later,
received a telegram in reply, saying thai
he would come, and should arrive by the
afternoon train, which had brought m,
the day before.
The spirits of the whole party revived
I (as is often the case) was in high favo
with all. Even poor Denis, who ha,
been very much depressed, was suffi
GENTLY relieved by the news, so Charlie
said, to smile over his beef tea. Lad,
Mary, who appeared at luncheon time
treated me with marked consideration
had already laid them under an obliga
tion, she said, graciously, by und. lJtak
ing the care of the jewels, and now the
were indebted to me a second time. Wa
Mr.. Carr one Of Lord Barrantyne's sons
or was he one Of the Crampshire Carr
She had known Lady Caroline Carr j
her youth, but had not met her Of lat
years.
She seemed surprised when 1 told hs
that Carr was an American, and he sanl
/ cOuld see, at once in her estimation
but she was kind enough to say that 81
was not person who was prejudiced
any way by a mans nationality, and thl
she believed that very respectable peop
might be found among the Americans.
The day passed in the usual prepar
tons for an entertainment. If I we
into the hall was sure to run again
gardeners carrying in quantities Of hC
house plants, with which the front
the stage was being hidden from {
foothghts to the floor; if wandered in
the library / interrupted Aurelia Al
Ralph rehearsing their parts alone, wi
their heads very close together; if hi
tily withdrew into the morning room,
was only to find Charles upon his lne
Turing Evelyn TO immediate fight,
soul stirring accents, before an admir-
audience of not unenvious young lac
hood.
Now, Evelyn, l ask you as a favo
said Charles, as l came in, moving
ward her on his knees, will you com
little closer when l am down. ! do