Mower County transcript., 1903-12-09
0EHE OTHER MAN !
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By FREDERIC REDDALE
Cpyright. 1872. by ]. p. Lippsuoou, Comsaay.

Sir Arthur said, in his hesitating habit
of speech:
"Er-er-Rick, if you're not going
out this morning should like a word
with you"
Sir Arthur had what is called a bad
manner; he was self-conscious and
bashful to a degree; upon ordinary
occasions he was apt to hesitate and
falter and founder. although at other
times and upon other topics where he
was sure OF his ground he could be
terse and even epigramatic.
Rick looked up from his letters, and,
being in the "dumps,' as he would
have expressed it, merely grunted an
assent.
Nothing more was said until the
meal was ended. Then, leaning back
in his leather chair and lighting a
cigar-Sir Arthur abhorred tobacco-he
said sulkily, sarcastically giving his
brother his title
"Well, Sir Arthur, what is it?''
1t was not very inviting opening.
Yet it may be conceded that fate had
certainly not been kind to Richard.
At bottom he loved his brother, and
in his heart he knew that Sir Arthur
wanted to do the right thing. But a
perverse humor held him that morn
ing, and he would make no effort at
complaisance or conciliation.
Sir Arthur flushed painfully at Rick S
carelessly contemptuous tone. He rose
and went to the window, where he
stood in silence while the secondhand
of the old clock ticked solemnly half
way round it's dial.
'I-I-want to put things right, Old
man." he said at length, facing inward,
towards Rick, who sat moodily smok-
ing, his cigar tilted towards the CELL
ing.
'Do you? That's kind" was the
curt rejoinder.
The baronet looked at his brother in
mute surprise; the hot color famed
in his sallow face and as suddenly
left it paler than it's wont. He had
never before seen Rick like this But
he controlled himself and went on, a
little more fluently, as though the othe:
had not spoken.
''Yes. I happen to know what
fathers intentions were about money
matters, and I am prepared to carry
them out to the letter"
did he tell you to do it?" inquired
Rick laconically.
''You remember he never spoke after
they carried him home,' said Sir
Arthur reproachfully, 'but knew from
| what he said to me at times that you
were to be taken care of-that you
would have been provided for if there
had been willard 1 simply mean to
act in his stead"
All this was certainly very fair and
generous, and the baronet looked ex-
pectantly at Richard for some sign OF
relenting humor. But the perverse
devil which clutched his heart-strings
! would permit no relaxation, and the
only response was a monosyllabic and
irritating
"Well?"
Sir Arthur's patience was giving
way, and signs of the Dysart temper
appeared in the shape of certain
twitchlngs and indentations of the
nostrils, yet he kept himself in hand
wonderfully.
There is not much ready cash, Rick
you know there never has has been"
he went on, "but father set aside certain
sums which you were to have at his
| death. I believe the amount is now
something like a couple of thousand
pounds, and this shall be paid in to
your account as soon as the lawyers
can arrange it. ''~
Thanks awfully," drawled Richard
He knew in his heart that Sir Arthur
was acting nobly and generously, even
as he would have acted had their posi-
tions been reversed. Yet back of it ali
was the knowledge, common to each
that woman had come between them
that they both loved her, and that only
| one OF them could possess her. This
/ hardened both OF them.
But Richard had begun the interview
badly, and the Dysart pride, which was
AuAAJ oo OdIA DIS lie DySarC temper,
would not let him descend from his
lofty perch. And although he knew he
was wronging his brother grievously
by the suspicion, the fiend within COM
PEELED him to continue
And so you wash your hands of
me, and l can go to the devil with your
two thousand pounds!"
Sir Arthur's patience was exhausted
and even his affection could not with
stand this last thrust, coupled with
what had gone before. Still, as Rick
waxed hot, he grew cool.
1T is matter of complete indiffer-
ence to me what you do or where YOU
so, he retortotl icily. Il have done nv
duty. More you could not. ask: more
you shall not have. l wish you good
morning and better temper!"
With these words he turned away
and was for stepping out on the lawn
But in couple of strides Richard was
by his side, a strong hand on his
shoulder, so as to swing him round
! and they stood face to face, one as ho1
as molten iron tha otbor oo.,oof -