Evening star., 1902-02-01

self-satished members, the others being
plunged In deepest gloom, despite all at
tempts to enliFen them.
I First. Mr.. Henry Wharton, aged In years
evidence glowing. eSiily across the table at
Darby, whom he had mistakenly conceived
to be the moving spirit Of the enterprise;
then. Mr.. Fetter, y9ung and weak-willed.
| nightly Impressed With his own stimula-
ton OF raktsh wordliness; lastly. pale.
frightened person. a clergyman by his cloth.
but deep In the clutch Of raging thirst
guests
Mr.. Wharton addressed himself to Tom
Darby, who was cektentedly engaging the
breast OF tender chicken. Mr.. Wharton
snook lean fist framed In soiled linen at
him.
.rn have the law Oh your he cried. quiv-
ering with rage. You'll find, young man,
that this is not q, eeuntrys where you can
kidnap-yes, kidnapi-peaceful citizens at
your VIII, and not suffer for it.
wish. said Darby. calmly. that you
wouiont wear your cuffs more than week
at time; you spoil my appetite"
Mr.. Wharton fumed, speechless. Fetter
laughed. ,ts
Hes right there. pop" he said, irrever-
entity. But don't you think you are little
laWless?" he added to Darby.
Not at an Dorrance interposed. smiling
indulgently. .'The parson will be witness
that you came willingly
ine parson raised expostulating hands.
AT the pistols point" he protested very
truthfully. -
"Nonsense! Have another" The parson
held out his glass to the offered bottle Il
eve, and You came with alacrity, though
dld understand that you had pressing en-
gagement." '-1
The parson smiled family. Mr.. Wharton
what; ne said, speaking slowly and
thickly. IF you'll take US back immediate
ly I'll give you 81 ,0O0"f
Dorrance laughed and shook his head.
You ante too low Tom Darby sug-
gested.
Three thousand" he snarled.
"Oh. make it worth while, and I'll raise
yoas :f,ipeE; pep;" cried Better :.
NO" said Dorrance.
Ten, then. I'll give you ten!'
MI. Wharton's hands were trembling vio-
lently. Dorrance politely filled his glass
for him. He tossed it OFF eagerly.
Twenty2' he pleaded.
Whe-ew! Darby whistled. had no
idea the stakes were SO high"
Mr.. Wharton hesitated; every moment
was now of consequence. He suffered
painfully.
''Fi- i-fif-ffty-thousand." he managed to
say.
Dorrance rose and looked at his watch.
you have no security to offer but your
word, ne said wearily, ''and that is
worthless
Mr.. Wharton's jaw moved loosely, but no
Moreover" sDorrance continued, "I
don't need your money, nor do I want it."
I'll have the law on you," Wharton re-
peated sullenly; hope was dead in his
''I wouldn't If were you. And you will
not. This is rather a noisome business
which you've attempted-and failed at;
your credit would suffer were it known. So,
you will say nothing. I'm happy to In
form you that You re too late. 1t is IL
o clock, and your ward viii be her own mis-
Dorrance walked fo the door and gave an
order. The engines began to chug more
slowly and the, Beau. Gallant came almost
to standstill. Mr.. Wharton sputtered
threats and obscenities. ,-.
II believe you were right said Dor
rance to him. 1--WE do not desire your COM
pany after alLf Come on deck. III put
you ashore now" iSf
The four followed him.
THAT is Mobile he said, indicating a
haze Of lightIeon 1.-THE northern horizon.
There Is laHding here and a fair road;
by hard walking you should reach it in the
by noon, If you're lucky. But by that
time Ruth ana-I will be married."
So that's your game" Fetter sneered
Il thought you didn't care for the money"
my dear SIR said Dorrance, unmoyed,
when you have associated with decent
people for any length Of time-if you ever
do-your thoughts may be of some conse-
quence At present your opinion Is Of alb
solutely no moment"
The boat Is ready, sir" man reported
And now, gentlemen, 1 thank you for
the pleasure which your company has af-
forded me- Oh, not word, sir Ito Mr.
Wharton), the obligation is entirely on my
side. Good evening" He was bowling them
over the side when thought struck him.
"Oh, parson! quite forgot; we may need
your services. Do not CO."
SO the parson stayed-most willingly, 1t
seemed to Darby. And the Beau Gallant
turned tail on the lights of Mobile. picked
up her boat and steamed swiftly back over
her. course
The dawn found the yacht swinging lazly
at anchor. Mr.. Dorrance came on deck, re-
freshed by bath and a breakfast, yet with
a carking doubt for background to his
thoughts. He received an immediate Inn
preston that all nature was chuckIing in
huge enjoyment of his predicament The
lifting wavelets, tremulous with living gold;
the whirling, eddytng breeze; the deep, ten
der beauty of the sky, f1ecked sparceiy with
shreds of mist; the far reaches Of the
southern landscape. palpitant with the
softly as at a successful practical joke.
Even the mocking birds were, true to their
reputation, gleefully chatting him from the
pines.
He leaned upon the rail, scowled and lit
a cigar, hurting complicated oaths down
at the careless sea.
Here. an hour later. the slothful Darby
found him.
Well. cried Darby, geniaily, "for an
expectant bridegroom"
Dorrance favored him with a heavy
glare.
bridegroom" he said, slowly, ''be eter-
nally-''s
what! Why. but yesterday"
WAS yesterday. Today is another mat
ter. Pm in the devil of fix"
1.-The lady hasn't sent word rafuoino
your" anxiously.
mo; that's just the trouble"
Darby grinned blandly at the universe
Romance" he propounded "is the salt
of life and it's SAVIOR. Without it"
zone escapes the holy bonds of rnatri-
| mony. Tom, without exception, you are the
| most unmitigated-" He broke off. tIm
| going ashore and be over with 1t. Come
along"
"I'Il stand around oblivious at no lovers
tryst You shall go alone"
And to this he stuck, SO that the rest Ia
only hearsay, but strongly supported by cir
cumstantial evidence.
| She was seated by the splashing fountain
when he met her. She did not hear his foot
steps, but sat idly dabbling her hand in the