The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-17


chap. and make yourself comfortable.
and there's nothing on earth to worry
about. Besides. Gascoigne lives down in
Surrey. you know. Once you get on
the southwestern"
There was a knock at the door.
."Mr. Gascoigne, gentlemens."
Fritz"
"Sair?' answered. the proprietor OF
the restaurant.
Serve the dinner"
"Gootr'
The new arrival strode into the room
with the breezy manner of one who
knows ne is late and has decided TO de-
feat reproofs by cheerfulness. He shook
hands with the other two men; said
something caustic about railways; as
sured them both that they looked as
young as ever. Now there Is nothing
gratifies men who have passed the age
OF 30 80 much as TO be told they look as
young as ever.
There's no doubt about it," said
WaiIner, smoothing his thin hair and
glancing at the mirror that bachelor
hood does keep, a man wonderfully
youthful Now II we had married."
Don't talk of H." said Gascoigne.
with a shiver.
THE worry of wife" said Walmer,
strenuously. doubles mans age
And his expenses" remarked Gas
coigne.
"A wife would look after you" sug-
gested Mayne. hesitatingly.
That's the objection" said the other
two men.
II suppose we have much % be
thankful for" said Mayne. Let US say
grace"
After the choice dinner the three men
cut their cigars with great particular
ity. Mayne hummed few bars of a
cheerful air, and. taking a candle from
the branch on the table, lighted his
cigar and passed the candle To the 9TH
ers. They set their chairs back. and
each found rest for one foot.
Been writing some more or your
trash. haven; you, -iascoigne?" asked
Walmer.
Had one or two books out" confess
ed Gascoigne.
wonder VINO reads them
Goodness only knows" said Cas-
coigne II don't
..But really" urged walmer. fact OF
matter is you're making a name. Gas
coigne. You are getting on tn the world
People are beginning TO talk about
YOU"
II think. Gascoigne. you ought to
apoIogize" said Mayne. I'm only just
back In London and have been spared
much of uhe annoyance OF seeing you
become famous
"One doesn't feel any the happier for
it," said Gascoigne. II live in valley
in Surrey and checks tumble down from
London a little quicker than they did,
but
"But what?"
We'll" said Gascoigne. thoughtfully,
after all, there you are all alone, and
no one TO share your troubles and dou-
Bile your toys. and upon my word. it's
enough to make a man think seriously
Of"
Gascoigne sighed.
"Of what?' demanded Walmer sharp
II forgot what was going TO say"
declared Gascoigne.
Walmer looked at Gascoigne very Sc
verely. but the literary man kept his
head we'll down and tried TO make the
nutcrackers stand on their two legs.
Mayne broke the silence by asking
the two men when Jumbles was coming
home from the Soudan. Walmer. at the
head of the table. flushed little for
no obvious reason), and said not yet;
old Jumbles would be out there for
some time Good man was Jumbles. said
Walmer, one of the best war corre-
spondents the journal had ever had.
II like Jumbles, said Mayne, thought
fully: "he had such charming young
sister,
The sutcrackers fell tipsy off the ta-
"By-the bye" asked walmer. at the
freplace. what was her nameg'
''Flsa." said Gascogne and Mayne
together. W.,
mer' critically. ~Eisa Cholmondeley."
''Al the same" said Gascoigne,
Laughing little awkwardy. II sup
pose she's like most girls. she'd be glad
Think she would?'' asked Mayne. an
xiously.
walmer. What Is your opinion, Cas-
only natural" said Gascoigne.
"Daresay that the little woman's
lonely now that her brother is away,
remarked Walmer. sympathetically.
TT would be almost a charity " sonre'
one would propose to her.
II remember" remarked Mayne.
''ufat she had a very pleasant. low
voice and charming smile. Sensible,
too she was" :.
"Devillsh good little figure" said
Gascoigne. thoughtfully.
There was a pause. The three men
sp,oked quietly until a lump OF coal fell
noisily in the CRATE. The proprietor or
the hotel knocked at the door ana nanu-
ed I'm. with great respect, the extra spe-
cial OF an evening paper and retired.
what have you been doing i'm Africa.
Mayney'
al shouldn't think" replied Mayne.
absently. " that Miss Cholmondeley Is
more than %.
Walmer repeated his question with
asperity. and Mayne bestirred himself
in order to give lucid answer.
wonder you don't settle down.
Mayne," said Gascoignc.
who with?"
"Heavens!" cried Gascoigne. start
ing up and pacing the room: can't
man settle down by himself? What a
character you are, Mayne! Look at
me. for instance. I've got my little
place down in Surrey. with an
old housekeeper and a. couple OF SER
wants. and I'm as happy" said Gas
coigne. with defiance. "as happy as the
days are long"
"They are long. I expect"
81 don't find them So" declared Cas-
coigne, obstinately.
''But you said Just now before din
no