The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-01

and that should make them sleep bit
heavier than usual. "a #l
'"ro-morrow night then. We meet here
at midnight"
,'Yes /; no earlier Is Of any use, You will
bring Bobs with you, take It
Eyes, I'll take care Of him safe enough.
He is too valuable to part with
ut Is pleasant to see an uncle SO de-
voted to his nephew as you are, Reddie.'
shut up, will you, and stow your CAB?
I'm tired Of such talk
|st"All right, man, only don't got angry
because appreciate your devotion.
They all got up after this, and putting
on their coats and hats stole quietly
downs tairs and out onto the street. II he
Englishman turned .the first corner and
was lost in the crowd. Hailing pass
ing hanson he gave an address, and later
| let himself In with q pass key at the door
Of quiet-looking house on side street.
CHAPTER III.
Whom are you expecting tonight at
your dinner, Nellie?" asked Mr.. Van
Nostrand, as he leaned up against the
mantel In his study and slipped a cup OF
tea. which his daughter had made for
him. i5sGt
"The Van Rensselaers. the Farlows.
Jack Morgan, Peggy de witt, the Fear
ings, the Freemans, Minnie Van Adam
and Ion. George Carlingford.
'WhoNis he 2"
1.-THE most charming Englshman that
has been In this part of the world for
a long time. papa. He is tall, handsome.
agreeable and, wonder OF wonders, bright.
He can see an American joke without
having 1t explained to him. fE
1"IIum. Then am afraid that no is
either a scamper or something odd
s&"Odd he certainly Is, but a scamp. new
or. Trust a womans intuition for that"
''Woman's intuition! I would not give
the snap Of my finger for a woman's In
tuition. What and who Is he anyway.
and where did you meet hin? y
"IIe brought letters to the Van Rem
sellaers. and he Is, believe. the pros
pccllye heir to an earldom. That mat
ters but little, for he is very evidently
rich Mr.. Van Rensselaer, says that he
pays his bills and insists on taking his
shares OF all sprees.
HE must be a phenomenon Judging
from the specimens Of his countrymen
thatI have met over here Still, do not
come to your dinner tonight.
90 papa, how good OF you. Why did
you not tell me before? would have
had some old lady for you to take in /" E
"old lady to take in! No, my dear. I
will take In young one or none. and
let it be the latter, as can then leave
as soon as I choose"
Very WE'LL dear; you shall do as you
choose. feel deeply honored that you
will come at all. ia5l5
1T is one OF my whms. want to
meet your handsome foreigner. An Eng
llshmani that can take an American
joke-ho must indeed be an extraordinary
person, st
CHAPTER ~.
The ladies had left tho room and Mr.,
Van Nostrand had moved to Carl!ngford's
side.' fH''S
IT am glad Mr.. Carlingford. to see one
OF your countrymen at my table, ! sell
dom appear In my daughters dinners, as
an old man Is out Of place at such func-
lions, but hearing that you were to pc
here. broke through my rule. lived
In England for ten years as a young
man."
but Mr. Van Nostrand. you are not
what we call old with us. You arc hale
and hearty and should not deprive peo-
pie OF your society"
1.-THE average person bores me terrlniy'
Carlingford, to tell the truth. and my
books are my refuge, Those and my col
lection OF gems are my hobby. Ro you
care at all about precious stones?'
good one In my wanderlngs' a cu-
rious expression fitted across his face.
part amusement and part sardontc'
II would like to show you some OF
mine. Green, 10 the butler, open the
old safe and bring me the upper drawer.
will show you some sapphlres that
think you will admit are Quite geod, and
have also some diamonds which are
said to he quite fine specimens
He spoke quietly. but with certain
pride In his tone that did not escape the
notice OF Carlingford.
The butler slid back a panel IN the
high oak wainscoting, and. 70 the sur
prise of the guests, disclosed safe
which he opened and took therefrom a
drawer This no placed IN 'front.' OF Mr.
Van Nostrand.
Now Mr.. Carllngford. prepare to be
idazzled," said his host az ne lifted 9
chamois skin case, which fi{tea INTO the
sapphires.'' He opened tho case az the
ethsp guests gathered r sstnaj.sns dis,
played them to thelr aston!shsd eyes,
rnharaN u,as, "a ynasa of Nuperh #Stonea OF