The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-11-23
Merely an Episode.

Z T would be hard to find more
ideally happy couple than the
Charterises. After ten years mar.
: ried life they are still in love with
each other. Constance is wont to boast
that Dick never has, or has had, a
secret which she has not shared. And
~ the main this is true. But there is
one little eplsode-merely an episode
m his life, to which Dick never refers;
II Is his one secret. And 1t nearly con-
Germs Constance, too The wind was
blowing wildly against the smoking
room windows, bringing snow storm
IN its train.
Hang Il all. remarked Dick Char
aefis. going to the window and gazing
out disconsolately over world grow
ing rapidly white, no hunting to-day.
And Con won't be back TN tonight"
He lit pipe. drew up a comfortable
chair IN front OF the fire, and prepared
80 make the best OF the Inevitable
The morning paper lay on a table at
ais elbow. He took II up glanced
earelessly through It. and soon put it
down again. Judging from the ex-
preston Of his face, his own thoughts
were supplying sufficient entertain-
nenf.
Beg pardon. sir" The butler stood
before him with somewhat perplexed
eountenance.
Captain Charters reused himself,
swell. Hiltongo
There Is gentleman wishing to see
Sir Godfrey. sir. I've told him Sir
Seoffrey is out, and he wants to wait.
But / don't know exactly-the dining
room and the drawing-room IS all up
set, and her adyship's in the morning
room. Would you mind. sir-?''
Show him In here. of course" Dick
Charteris was, perhaps, growing a
frifie tired of his own company.
Possibly some begging chap though.
coming at this hour" he thought.
stretching his long legs and glancins
lazily at the clock. 1t was barely
twelve.
The first glance at the stranger how
ever, dispellcd this idea. Dick looked
at him critically. A tall, dark man,
on the wrong side Of forty. with a
clever, clean-shaven face. His eyes
burned with a curiously eager light.
The mans ill1 was Dicks first
thought.
He went forward with easy cour-
iesy.
Sorry Sir Godfrey is out Just now. /"
ne remarked, pushing chair toward
line other. He had to go TO magis-
arates' meeting. However, he can't be
long now, and perhaps l can do duty
as host in his absence. | can't saw I'm
exactly son of the house, still. by
this time next week hope to be Sir
Seoifrey's son-in-law.'
The stranger had been listening al
most mechanically TO Charteris's easy
dow of conversation. but at the last
words he became suddenly alert and
eager.
Indeed" he said. with scarcely re-
pressed anxiety. May l ask your
namew
Charters. Won't you sit down,
MFR. --?"
But though he took the chair. he
paid no attention to the question i'm
Dicks tone. The latter began to feel
at a disadvantage carrying on a con.
versation with stranger, name un.
known.
! should be sorry to miss seeing Sin
Godfrey" remarked his visitor. his
dull. even tones contrasting so oddly
with the fire in his eyes. Il am an
old friend OF his. but have not seen
him for some time"
Charters glanced at him again. He
concluded the man had just come from
abroad. which would account for tho
somewhat odd cut of his clothes and
xne general look of a certain absenc,
OF up-to-dateness about him.
No doubt Sir Godfrey will be il
directly" he remarked. passing tn,
cigarettes. you find the house il
rather a confusion to-day. There's L
be little dance tomorrow, in honor
Of the approaching wedding"
The other slowly lit cigarette. a
understand you are going to marry
one Of Sir Geoffrey's daughters. b,
ohserved, slowly
Yes. Constance" He blew a rim.