Evening star., 1902-01-11

her out. The man whose debt she had
transferred to another who could not pay
1t was clamoring for revenge. The man
she thought and believed to have been dead
a long time was not dead at all, but alone
and proposing to live upon her and even to
take all her property. her brother-in-law
pretense Of giving It to this drunken bank
rupt; she had lost the dream that promised
her happiness; she was threatened with
public exposure was ever woman so
beset with dangers and with the conse-
quences of her follies and extravagances?
Three visitors came to her that day, each
bringing before her the dangers of situa-
tions; one more the last, brought her some
promise of relief.
The first was Mr.. Pinder. He sent up his
name modestly. Would her ladyship see
him-formerly valet to Lord Stratherrick,
on small matter of some importanceY'
He entered with low cringing bow and
hanging hands after the manner of his
| kind. His appearance did not inspire con-
| fdence; his face was too fat and too white:
His eyes too Close together, but his manner
was deferential.
You come" said Isabel, from Lord
Stratherrick?''
with submission, madam" he made
answer, In a soft. low voice. as if he was
anxious not to be heard outside the room.
| II come on business partly connected with
his lordship. but have no longer the honor
to serve him. 1 am now the landlord Of the
| Grapes tavern. Jermyn street, at your ser
vice.
Have 1 anything to do with the Grapes
| Tavern
Your ladyship knows something, I be-
i!eve'-he dropped his voice to whisper,
| concerning one Fulton, formerly of Lud-
gate Hiu?" Isabel made a sign of disgust
ut Is true. madam. l understood you He
| Is saving your ladyship's presence, nothing
/ better than q drunken hog"
| What do you want with me? Why do
| you whisper" Does this man think that
| have secrets with him?"
| Madam. it appears that the man Fulton
possesses. or thinks he possesses, knowl-
| edge of some Importance to your iadyship.
| In order to keep him from talking, his lord
| ship. who is always thinking of others, has
| asked me to allow this man the run of his
| food and drfnk-as much drink he wants
t-on condition of silence"
| We'll. Lord Stratherrick has given this
order. Why do you come to me?"
| Mr.. Pinder disregarded the question and
| proceeded with his story.
1.-THE man has since, owing to some dis
| agreement with his wife, been turned by
| her out of doors. / have, therefore, still
by his lordship's orders, provided him with
| a bed. He now lives entirely at the Grapes:
! He begins to drink early in the morning and
| he drinks all day long, except when he
sleeps In the evening he is helped upstairs
| to bed. ] assure your ladyship that he Is
| kept in perfect silence and safety For,
even IL he wished to talk, he cannot, except
when he Is partly sober, which Is only In
the the early morning; .s H. indeed he can be
/
What is all this to me? Have 1 ordered
! this treatment of the man? Why do you
| come to me?"
| II come. madam. because all this has
| been done in your interests / would not
| press the matter. But your ladyship knows
| the circumstances of Lord Strathherrick.
l As his confidential servant / also know
| those circumstances. His lordship ordered
/ this measure of procedure IN the treatment
| OF the man Fulton, and he is certainly re-
| sponsibie for the money. do not deny it."
/ "Then let him pay the money"
/ with respect, madam. He cannot pay
the money. He has nothing except what
your adyship gives him. This mans keep
| Is mounting rapidly. II Will soon become
| a large bin. I would explain that he drinks
| every day at least one tankard of small
| ale In the morning to clear his brain: a pint
| OF wine at 10 o'clock, and another about
4 noon: more small ale with his dinner and
1 a bottle Of port after his dinner, and dur
1 ting the rest OF the day punch. He Is a
| mere cask OF drink
| 81 do not want the particulars of your
1T care nothing about the drunken
wretch"
'If his 1ordship receives money on this
account from you he WIN certainly he
ceughed gently. 'certainly-with submis-
gaming table. My lord has q generous
heart and most kindly disposition, but
/ where the gaming table IL concerned he for
gets-if may be permitted az his servant
to say so-the meaning Of debts or OF money
due to other purposes. In plain words,
madam, as no doubt you are well aware, his
iordahin IN not to be trusted with mouoy."