Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-07-18
MATED BY APAWN /
BY A. E. Manning Foster.

W sAPAoSS ohu ouuuculy mas tnAt.
with the exception Of few coppers.
he has no money in his pocket. he may
surely be forgiven the use of a few
strong CALCULATIONS. Such was the
plight OF Everard Hamlyn at 10 min
utes to on certain Saturday after
noon. He had been so absorbed In
reading the brief of an important case
which wRs to be heard In the courts
on Monday that he had forgotten the
emptiness OF his pocket At O'Clock
Alice Valentine. an American girl with
whom he had formed a deep friend
ship. was coming 10 see what a bar
rtster's chambers In the Temple looked
like. and she was also to be taken out
TO lunch.
The worst was that there were only
ten minutes to rectify the mistake He
wrote out a check hurriedly and then
remembered that time would not per
init him TO go TO the bank to cash II.
His clerk was gone. and the Temple
was wrapped In its usual Saturday
afternoon peacefulness.
Without n hat he rushed over to
Harcourt buildings TO see II his friend
Anderson was In the chambers. He
could rely upon him for a couple OF
pounds.
But the fates were against HamIyn.
Anderson was out and the doors were
locked.
Realizing that there was nothing for
II but 10 go To the bank. he hurried
along up the court into Fleet street.
meaning 10 hail "A hanson. But as he
arrived there the clock struck l. and
he knew that he could not get To the
bunk and back under 20 minutes Alice
would never forgive him II he were not
at his rooms 10 receive her.
Suddenly his eye was caught by the
three brass balls hanging over n shop
almost opposite. The sight suggested
new idea TO his mind. and he prompt
ly acted upon IL. In another moment
he rushed across the road and, enter
ing the shop. handed his 50 guinea
hunter over the counter.
How much?" said the clerk. eying
the hatless and breathless Hamlyn
somewhat suspiciously.
''Oh. / only wanted a fiver," replied
Everard hurriedly.
Have you got n card on you?" asked
the clerk. thinking that he was on the
track OF a swell mobsman.
Unversed in the ways OF pawnbro-
kers, Hamlyn pulled out his case and
handed him "A card.
"All right, sir" said the clerk, seeing
the name and address and noticing the
name correspOnded with the initials on
the watch. Il beg your pardon. sir. ;" and
he hastily filled up a ticket and count
ed out f5. Have you a penny for the
ticket. pleaser'
Hamlyn impatiently threw down IA
copper and fairly bolted out Of the
shop. The people in Fleet street stared
at him with amazement. and a gutter
arab with whom he had collided shout
ed. "WhO are yer shown OFF, as he
crossed the road.
Now. II happened that Alice Valen-
tine was just at that moment passing
down Fleet street on her way to the
Temple. She had arrived somewhat
earlier than she had intended. for she
upheld the traditions OF womanhood
with regard 10 unpunctuality.
1T would never do" she said to her
self. Ito be quite punctual He would
think was too impatient"
So. timing herself to arrive at the
Temple about 1:15 o'clock, she was
strolling Ieisurely along when she
caught sight OF Hamlyn rushing wild
iy out OF pawnbrokeTs shop. For a
moment the ludicrous side of the sit
uation struck her very forcibly. and
she laughed softly to herself But
gradually. as she realized the full sig
nificance OF the action. her amusement
gave place TO pity.
Poor boy" she murmured. "I had
not the fainteSt idea he was hard up.
And to think that have let him spend
such a lot OF money in taking me
about. | must get even with him some
how"
There was a very tender spot In her
heart for the tall. clever young barris-
ter. who had shown so plainly his pref
erence for her above all other women.
Alice Valentine and her aunt. Miss
Stafford. were making tour OF Europe
and had met Hamlyn first OF all at a
hotel In Geneva. He had rendered
them a number OF civilities and as he
happened 10 be doing the same round
OF Switzerland as they for a month he
was their almost daily companion
With the frankness OF American wo-
men. they accepted his attentions
graciously. and. finding him a pleasant
attendant. enrolled him in their serv-
ices without further ado.
Miss Stafford generally accompanied
Alice wherever she went and showed
quite as much eagerness to do" every
place thoroughly as her niece. 1t was
only on rare occasions. when the elder
lady was obliged to admit that she
was too tired for anything" that
Hamlyn had a chance OF taking Miss
Valentine out alone.
The constant companionship. how
ever, had brought about the usual re
suit. Hsmlyn was not an inhammable
man. He had reached the mature age
OF 30-not unsought after-withou'
having succumbed to feminine charms
But there was something about the
fair American which fascinated hin
n spite OF himself.
Today. as she came into his room, 6
perfect vision OF freshness and lowell
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