Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-23
CHAPTER ".
The First Round.

The First Round.
Within the last few days there were ON
inous Iun1ors af1oat to the Lady Iris
trans health. 1t was known that she
could see nobody and kept her room: 1t was
reported that the doctors "a specialist had
been down from town. We're looking very
grave II was agreed that her constitution
had not the strength to support prolonged
strain. There was sympathy-the neighbour
hood was proud in its way Of Lady iris
tram-and there was the usual interest to
which the prospect of a death and sue
cesson gives rise.
Harry Tristram was sorry that his mother
must die and that he must lose her; the
confederates had become close friends, and
nobody who knew her intimately could help
feeling that his life and even the world
would be poorer by the loss of real, IL
not striking, individuality. But neither he
nor she thought of her death as the main
thing; 1t no more than ushered In the great
event for which they had spent years pre-
pairing. And he was downright glad that
She could see no visitors; that fact saved
him added anxieties and spared her the
need OF being told about Nina Zabriska
and warned to bear herself warfly toward
the daughter of Madame de Kries. Harry
did not ask his mother whether she re-
membered the name; the question was
necessary; nor did he tell his mother that
one who had borne the name was at Mer-
rion Lodge. He waited, vaguely expecting
that trouble would come from Merton. but
entirely confident in his ability to fight and
worst the tricky little woman whom he had
not feared to snub; and in his heart he
thought well of her and believed she had
as little inclination to hurt him as she
seemed to have power. His only active
step was TO pursue his attentions to JAMIE
liver.
"A new vexation had come upon him, the
work of his pet diversions, the GainSbor-
oughS. He had seen Mr.. uafnsbOrough
once and retained a picture of a small, in
effectual man with a ragged, tawney- brown
BEARD and big, soft felt hat, who had an
air Of being very tlmid, rather pressed for
money, and endowed with kind heart
Now, it seemed, Mr.. Gainsborough was
again overlooking with family affection "a
disposition not always welcomed by its OBJ
tects), and wanted to shake poor Lady Iris
trans hand, and wanted poor Lady iris
tram to kiss his daughter-wanted, In fact,
thorouShgotng burying OF hatchets and q
touching reconciliation. With that justice
OF Judgment of which neither youth nor
prejudice quite deprived him. Harry liked
the letter, but he was certain that the
writer would be immensely tiresome. And
agaln-in the end as in the beginning-he
did not want the Gainsboroughs at Blent;
above all, not just at the time wnen Blent
was about to pass into his hands
hate hearsay people" grumbled Harry.
as he threw the letter down. But the
Galnsboroughs were soon to be driven out
OF MS head by something more immediate
and threatening.
Blent pool is a round basin some fifty or
sixty feet in diameter. The banks are steep
and the depth great The scene Is gloomy
except In sunshine, and the place is little
trequented- 1t was favorite haunt of
Harry Tristra ms, and he lay on the grass
one evening smoking and looking down on
the black water, for the clouds were heavy
above and rain threatened. His own mood
was IN harmony, gloomy and dark in re-
pellon against the burden he carried vet
with no thought of laying it down. He did
not notice man who came up the road
ana took his stand just behind him. wait
ing there for a moment in silence and an
parent irresoIution.
Mr.. TriStramI''
Harry turned his head and saw Major
Duplay. The major was grave almost SOL
emn. as he raised his hat trifie in formal
salute.
DO interrupt your"
You couldn't have found man more AT
leisure Harry did not rise, but gathered
his knees up. clasping his hands round them
ana looking up In Duplay's face You want
10 speak TO me?"
les on difficult matter" A visible en-
Darrassrnent hung about the major: he
Seemed to have little liking for his task
Il IN aware. he went on, that / NAV Law
myself open to some misunderstood inp in
what m about to say. / shall beg YOU to
remember that am in difficult position
ana that am gentleman and a soldier 4"
Harry said nothing; he waited with nm
moved face and no sign of perturbation.
1t best to be plain Duplay proceeded
the liberty Of following you here for that
purpose he came a step nearer and stood
over Harry. Certain facts have come 70
my knowledge which concern Won ver,. in
TINA tely.'' "
a polite curiosity and slight skepticism
Were expressed in Harry's Indeed
Ana not you only, orr need hardly say
- shouldn't feel it necessary to occupy
myself with the matter. A word about INV
own position you will perhaps forgive.
Harry frowned little; certainly Duplay
rolling the situation round his tongue and
making the most of its flavor
Since we came here we have made MANY
ecquaintances, your own among the num-
Der: We are in sense your guests
Not IN a sense that puts you under any
obligation" observed Harry. '
., IA sincereiy glad to hear you say that;
relieves my position to some extent
but we nave made friends too In one
house L myself may leave my niece out
OF the question: have been received with
hearty. cordial. warm friendship that
seems already an old friendship. Now. that
goes put one under obligation. Mt.
Tristram." $500
You refer to our friends, the Ivsru,
Yes?' 'ne i'efs'
I'm my view. under heavy OBLIGATION
am say In my judgment bound to serve
with them as I should wish and exneet
them to deal with me in a similar case"
nary nodded careless assent, and
turned his eyes away toward the moot:
even already he seemed to know what was
coming. or something of It,
ACTS nave come to my knowledge Of
Wnich II might be-indeed I must saw Of
which IL is-of vital tmportance that NJ
Iyer should be informed
thought the facts concerned me?"
asked Harry, with brows a little raised.
les. and as matters now stand they
concern him, too. for that very reason
Duplay had gathered confidence: his tone
was calm and assured as he came stem hv
step nearer his mark, as he establishes
position after position in his attack
gu are paying attentions to Miss liver
with view to marriage presumer'
M uicr
slowly and with careful delibera lion
Those attentions are offered and receiy
ed as from MIR. Tristram-as from the IN
ture Lord Tristram of Blent. 1 can't be-