Evening star., 1902-02-01

MS own knowledge so much as 70 numor
and please the other man. Il will give you
to 2 against your bird in half crowns"
This. observe. was not only to offer bet
nearly sure to be lost, but also to give
longer odds. Five to 2. my lord? DoneP
He said no more, and the fight went on.
Alas! In five minutes after the usual spar
ring, fefnting. retreating and advancing,
which gives cock-fghting so much excite
ty save to those who know the meaning of
the game and the powers of the birds, the
smaller cock sprang upon the neck of the
antagonist, and with single blow of his
spur laid him dead.
Then there arose the usual clamor which
welcomes the conclusion of a cockfght,
with the usual disputes and claims of those
who bet
Five half crowns, my lord" Oliver pass
ed them along. Il hope your lordship will
give me my revenge"
The evening went on. Oliver betted with
continuous bad luck. In other words, he
showed himself obstinately of the opposite
opinion to that of his lordship. When the
play was over the latter was in great good
humor; not only had he won many guneas,
but he had also proved his own judgment
and knowledge of the birds.
The people rolled out noisiiy, fighting
their battles over again.
Il am proud to lose a few bets with SO
great a cocker as your lordship," said
Oliver, politely. Perhaps on some other
evening l may be privileged to take an
other lesson
SIT, am mere most evenings The sport
is my chief amusement"
my lord, have had the honor of meet
ing you once or twice at a certain house
in St. James square" Lord Stratherrick
affected Inconsistencies. "At the house
of Mrs Weyland.''
"Ay, ay, as you say, SIR" He resumed
at once the cold and insolent air of the
nobleman. Outside the cockpit this man
ner was habitual with him. mo doubt
sir, as you say"
My lord, there is tavern not far from
here, in Covent Garden. should be great
ly honored and so would the company
your lordship would take glass Of punch
with me. A coach will take us to the spot
In few minutes"
Sir" his lordship hesitated, but yielded
to the seductiveness of the punch. Il shall
be honored by accepting your invitation"
After two or three glasses of the punch
and listening to two or three songs from
the young lawyer in the room. Lord
stratherrick began to show signs Of some
cordiality. He was but human. Sir he
said, Il remember. now, have, met you at
the house of my sister-in-law on several
occasions, if I am right
Quite right. On several occasions. Let
me offer your lordship another glass Of
this excellent punch. 1t is whispered among
ourselves that the lawyers wig covers the
finest judge of punch, but tonight we must
except your lordship.''
why, sir, you may do so, perhaps. with
out prejudice, as you lawyers say, to your
Mrs. Weyland. if one may mention Eer
name with the greatest respect in this
company" Oliver dropped his voice to a
whisper, your lordslIp's sister-in-law, is,
| am sorry to say, unhappy at this no
ment."
"Allow me-another glass. If your lord
ship is as good judge of a glass of punch
as of bird, we shall be pleased with your
appreciation. The lady's unhappiness is in
fact partly due to your lordship."
How, sir?'
81 am glad of an opportunity-unex-
pected as welcome-of laying the matter
before your lordship even in this public
place. Your lordship cannot but know the
reverence with which Mrs. Weyland re-
CARDS the head of her husbands family"
why, SIR thinking of the smallness of
his allowance, II was not aware
"Of course the lady cannot be always
proclaiming the fact. Your lordship will,
however, remember that her own family
is inferior to her late husbands, which
makes her the more ready, perhaps, to
recognize the respect due to it's leader"
Pray. sir, proceed"
She is, then, uneasy because she i'm
agines that she has in some way forfeited
your lordship's esteem"
"Ahem! My esteem.' His lordship
sipped his glass thoughtfully. He could
not understand what was meant, because.
indeed, that esteem for the head of the
family had not of late been marked.
There are certain passages in the lady S
past history which should be forgotten, out
of respect to her husbands family They
have been msrepresented especially by a
fellow who is drunken liar-saving your
lordship's presence. She fears that you be-
lieve the story of this fellow and that you
may be protecting him at the risk of her
own reputation and the honor of the fam
ly."
There is certainly an unfortunate per-
son.
He is kept at your lordships expense
at certain tavern in Jermyn street.
where he employs his whole time in drink
ing. He has made up a tale with which
he deceives those who listen to him. 1
would submit to your lordship that the
maintenance of such a creature is derog-
atory to the dignity of your family"
Sir, have been at great expense over
that man.
Deceived by him and misled by your
own most noble desire that no dishonor
should rest upon your name. Ny lord, as
the legal adviser of the lady, 1 acknowledge
not only the expenditure, but also the mo-
tive-the most honorable motive which
called for that expenditure Now, as we
are, SO to speak, in private place, per-
haps l might with the utmost submission
and respect, suggest that the support and
countenance which your lordshp has given
ground that his story is an impudent fable
and that the man Is unworthy of credence
AT the same time the lady in question
should repay to your lordship the expenses
W4AiNh hoSC pSSI incurred on Dehalf of
this man. Let me give your lordshfp an
other glass. So small slice of lemonY
The least touch of the nutmeg? A little
more sugar? Is it quite to your lordshin's
liking?"
Quite. To return to the question of
money paid
We cannot expect bill as If your lord
ship was nothing but an attorney 1t womb
be proper in such case to offer a round
sum. Should We say a hundred p,,ineas
and to an end, the man to receive no more
help?" ---oi
"A hundred and fifty. believe, would
more nearly cover the amount"
"A hundred and fifty L will bring the
amount to your lordships lodgings tomoro
row. No mention of the subject. / wonia
submit, should be made by any one con-
cerned at any future time
Sir, as regards this person 1 can do
nothing for him. l may have been deceived
Probably l have been deceived. In NV
rank we frequently are deceived but this
fellow may go to the devil his own way. He
Is, as you say, drunken BEAST
"A drunken beast, indeed. Quite unwortby
the notice of a man Of your rank"
He was brought to me by a person
formerly my valet-now the innkeeper Of a
tavern. I depended upon that persons
word Who can trust valet7 Wen, sir.