Morris tribune., 1901-06-01
MY RIVAL.
HOW HE GOT THE BETTER
OF NE IN CONSEQUENCE
OF AN ACCIDENT,

L y '
cannot say that | thought much Of
Macintosh. He seemed to me a great
prig. Good looking? Well, yes, in g
BARRIERS block sort of way-curly, oil
ed hair, pink complexion, white teeth
His teeth were good, 1 must say. and
when he smiled his appearance varied
from that of skull to that Of dog
out of temper about bones. In the
summer had met DIR. and Mrs. Cher
~, who were friends of mine. We had
been at Delhi once together. They
were going out again in December and
intending to take their daughter Ellen
with them. She was an exceptionally
nice girl, with light hair and blue eyes
and low, musical voice Il must say
hike blondes, and harsh voice is
one Of my crosses), and 1 saw good
deal Of her and should have seen more
only Macintosh was rather In the
way.
\ However, l found out that my
friends proposed to go to India by the
steamer leaving Marseilles on Jan. 2.
And that was just the time my leave
was up. 1t was in the days when
one steamer started from Southampton
and few days after another from
Marseilles, and they met in Egypt. The
Journey was cheaper by the bay, and
I had intended to take that route, but
met Macintosh at the Office and found
he was going from Southampton to
please a chum. You would scarcely
believe it, but it was the case never
theless. that the Marsei1les passengers
thought themselves rather more in So
ciety than the Southa. ..ptons. So
pondered, eff my agents will find the
money, l will give Master Macintosh
the go by" 1 took Southampton
berth, but the clerk said l might
change it for Marseilles one after
ward if 1 liked. And this l did. l
started from Dover the day after
Christmas day and at Paris went
straight to the Hotel Byron, where
knew the CheTys were staying.
Friend Mac" said to myself, with
the brand Of Southampton on his brow,
will never be able to cope with my
continental prestige"
Travelled with my friends in
leisurely way. We gave "a hours to
Lyons and reached Marseilles on the
evening Of Dec 81. Our inn, the Du
Midi, was on the road to the New
Quarter, and / have been told, since
the building speculations were not SO
successful, it has been altered and let
out In flats. But at that day 1t was a
high, well like house, having a court
yard In the middle, adorned with
pomegranates in green boxes, where
we sat after table d'hote and drank
coffee and cognac.
Mrs. Cherry had letter that evening
by the post, and observed that it's
receipt created interest, and I heard
one or, two observations which did not,
however, in any way interpret them
selves to me at the time. Really,
after ALP "But is there timer How
has it been managedw and so on.
And when asked what projects
were in view for seeing the place next
day Mrs. Cherry only replied, Some
thing will suggest ITSELF"
Jan. was a general holiday, and
from an early hour the streets began
to fill, for the peasants came in from
The neighborhood, and all the artisans
turned out in their gayest costumes.
The Cherrys had breakfast in their
own apartments, and / on returning
from the sale manger went into nv
OWN bedroom, which was high up, and
sat at the window smoking q ciga-
'ette. Hearing noise below, l look
ID out and saw the Cherrys starting,
without giving me notice. Ellen, how
EVER, observed me.
Where are you of tor called
Town to her.
1--WE are going" she said, ITO walk
n the Canebiere. It will be great fun!
come along!"
Come along? OF course l would!
up my hat and dustcoat
nd on rushing from my room observ-
ID slight iron gates and within a lift,
tationary. There was no gas in It |
Tor any attendant, and had not no.
iced It before or heard Of people going
Ip or down. But the thought struck
ne. II may as well use it, time will be
aved." The grating was unlocked.
took seat and pulled the
ope. The lift began to descend. Dark
less, DuI only ror moment or two,
nd then another grating, and on-intO
he darkness again. Suddenly I felt
hat the seat I was occupying was los