Evening star., 1901-05-04

a little talk We had about our friend Du-
play? We agreed that we should both like
to put spoke in his wheel"
And You ve done it." said Bob, reaching
for his pipe from the mantelpiece.
Il did do it. / can't do it any more. You
know there We're certain reasons which
made marriage between jamie Iver and
me Seem desira BILE? I'm saying nothing
against her and l don't intend to say a
word against myself Well those reasons
no longer exist. l have written to her to
say so. She'll get that letter this after
noon.'
You've written to break off the engage
ment?'' Bob spoke slowly and thoughtfuly,
but with no great surprise
Yes She accepted me under serious
misapprehenson. When / asked her | was
in position to which 1 had no He in
terrupted himself. frowning a little Not
even now was he ready to say that. I'm
position which 1 no longer occupy" he
amended. recovering his placidity. IAN the
world will know that very soon. l am no
longer owner of Blent.''
What" cried Bob, jumping up and look
ing hard at Harry. The surprise came
now.
And l am no longer what you called me
just now-Lord Tristram. You know the
law about succeeding to peerages and en-
been discovered Che smiled for an instant)
not to satisfy that law-the merits Of
which. Bob, we won't discuss. CONSEQUENT
ly not [, but Miss Gainsborough succeeds
V.
l have informed Miss Gainsborough-I
ought to say Lady Tristram-of these
facts and m on my way to London to see
the lawyers and get everything done in
proper order.
Good God. do you mean what you say?''
on. OF course, do. Do you take me for
an idiot to come up here at 6 in the morn
ing to talk balderdash?" Harry was obvi-
ousiy irritated. Everybody win know
soon. l came to tell you because | fancy
YOU We some concern in it, and. l say, l
shall want that spoke put in the majors
wheel"
Bob sat down and was silent for MANY
moments. smoking hard.
But jamie won't do that" he broke out
at last She's too straight. too loyal II
"A beautiful idea. Bob, if she was in love
with me But she isn't. Can you tell me
you think she is?"
Bob grunted inarticulateIy-an ohyious
though rot a skillful. evasion of the Dues
ton.
And anyhow" Harry pursued. 'the
things at an end. l shant marry her.
part well. l shall be glad I came to
breakfast" He got up and went to the
window. looking out on the neat little gar
den and to the paddock beyond
In moment Bod Bradleys hand WAS
laid on his shoulder. He turned and faced
him. -~~oN
:. What thing for you! You-you lose
II can't. realize it, you know. The
change
Il have given it all up"
Couldn't you have made fight for it?"
Yes. a deuced good fight But I chose
to let it go. Now. don't go On looking
as II you didn't understand the thing. It's
simple enough
But Lady Tristrim-you mother-must
The question didn't arise as long as nv
mother lived said Harry quickly. "Her
title was all right. of course"
There was another question on the tip
Of Bob's tongue. but after a glance at
Harry's face he did not put It, he could
not ask Harry II he had known.
I'm hanged" he muttered
Yes but You understand why 1 came
here?"
Yes. That was kind"
'Oh. no. l want to spike the majors
guns, You know He laughed a little
And, well. yes. think I'm promoting the
general happiness, too, if You must know.
Now, I'm off, Bob
He held out his hand and Bob grasped It.
We'll meet again some day, when things
nave settled down. Beat Duplay for me,
Bob. Goodby."
That's grit. real grit" muttered Bob. as
ne returned to the house after seeing
Harry Iristram on his way.
1t was that-or else the intoxication of
some influence whose power had not passed
away. whatever it was, 1t was a marked
effect on Bob Bradley. There was an ap-
pearance of strength and resolution about
to do and doing it.
In the afternoon he had his gig
brought round and set out for Blentmouth.
As he passed Blent Hall he saw a girl on
the bridge. girl in black looking down at
the water. Lady Tristrimi 1t was strange
to call her by the title that had been an
others She did not look up as he passed:
he retained a vision OF the slack dreariness
of her pose. Going on he met the liver
carriage; liver and Neeld sat In it, side by
side; they waved their hands In careless
greeting and went on talking earnestly.
He could not tell He put up his gig at the
Inn and sauntered out into the street; still
he could not tell. But he wandered out to