New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-21
xXXvII Concluded.

XXXvII Concluded.
The dinner was. as always at HighSrove
/ Hall perfect the wines the best to be had and
/ lavishlv served As had OF late. been my Gus
/ tom I took soup only. Because Of this II had
| been made as nOurishing possible 1 felt re-
freshed after a few spoonfuls. As quietly as
usual filed my place at the head of Mr.. En-
| rantPs table yet the three men. master, man
| and the one guest, watched me constantly, and
| had each an expectant look. Philips handsome
| face wore the expression Of an eager lover, but
| what was the meaning Of Randars anxious
/ glance? OF Francois's furtive afr of dread2
About your ring. my darling?" said Philip.
when the second course being over. FRANCOIS
| was about TO serve the third. You haven't
| tod me yet what it's to be-Or did you say II
was IN the possession Of some one already?
| Randall who had been drinking heavily. raised
| a trimming bumper 10 his lips. and set It down
| empty. He looked suIlen, harassed by painful
/ thoughts Save for pink spot high on either
| cheek his face CHASTITY. I remembered the
/ dinner with the two Englishmen. the CONVERSE
| ton about negroes. Randaps remarks. the
/ broken wineglass-was he. too, remembering?
The person who owns the ring would give it
/ willingly did he know I wanted it. Philip"
II can't give it to you, Miss DerOhan." ex-
/ claimed Randall fercely "and you know It'll
| It's not mine to give"
| whether he had called me by my own name
| to annoy Philip. OF merely through forgetful-
/ ness 1 could not tell. Philip looked at him
/ keenly but before he could speak answered:
1T IS Mr.. Beverley's ring, know. Mr.. Thorpe
sold it to him for me-"
| For you, Athera?'' exclaimed Philip in sur
| prise.
1T was my mothers ring said, gravely,
( then mine Now I wish for II. Mr.. ST. John
/ has forfeited his right. He has failed 10 keep
| the conditions. He was to give up gambling.
/ Come, Mt. ST. John. give me the ring, Your
uncle would be wilung-comer'
Are you crazy?'' cried Randall You know
quite well I can't II he missed It from my
/ finger there'd be the very deuce to pay! be-
Ieve you want to ruin me"
Il want the ring" said. steadily. and looked
at Philip.
Name your price Randall! 1 won't haggle
/ about the matter Give Athena her ring. I
/ can't have her thwarted."
/ Randall shot a sullen glance him. and said.
/ doggedly:
| I'm very sorry. but It can't be done You
/ can have ono made for her Ike it
! "Impcssibler' I said \ gem like that may
/ not be copied. The man who carved that Won
/ derful face is long since dead
] You can sit for the likeness yourself. for
/ new one" Randall interrupted. God knows
! you're the very image Of the Nemesis
/ Philip frowned angriIy. and essoyed to speak.
/ but held up my hand imposing silence.
Listen I said. Give up the ring before IL
is too late. Against that Jewel. dimming It's
brilliant surface. two cold dead lips once pressed
/ my mothers lips Her last kiss for Meme
I sis. Her last breath blurred the face Of Meme
sis. need the ring. VIII you give it up"
NO"
I leaned forward and smiled coldly into his
haggard eyes.
Then beware. for you are doomed. Two
sIeuthhounds follow fast upon your trail-rny
mother and Nemesis. Beware. lest they run
you down at last
Randall strove TO laugh. but failed: then drank
more wine The hand that lifted the glass shook
visibIy. in spite Of his Efforts 20 steady il.
looked at Philip and raised my eyebrows
"Apres.'
Come. RandsL don't be a fool" he spoke
good humoredly. but I saw that his obs,inacy
was aroused Don't make fuss about a trife.
Tell your uncle you've lost the ring. y lie more
or less doesn't matter 20 you-you're used 20
them
He laughed with easy. contemptuous good
nature. Randall reapins a bitter harvest
He did not answer; but. with eyes cast down.
drew a pattern on the table-cloth with shaI-
ing finger. Would nothing sting him into ac-
ton? Was every spark Of manhood dead with
in him2
Seeing that one emerald is as good as an
other in Mr.. St Johns eyes. he may be willing
TO exchange my mothers Nemesis for the other
that once hers. but is now in your pos
session"
In my possession. Athena2'' said Philip. look
ing at me in surprise
once set as brooch. but now in dazger's
hilt. The emerald Julie stole"
Francois. the perfect butler rehIling Randals
ever empty glass. continued pouring until the
wine overlooked upon the snowy cloth; but his
carelessness passed unnOticed. The uneasiness
that had been apparent in the manner Of the
others now communicated itself 20 Philip. but il
lasted a few moments only. Then he smiled.
and said:
Think Of your knowing that Petl I knew
YOU bore Minerva's name but had idea she
had lowered you with her divinng poweri'
4 can't give up the ring persisted Randall.
What's the use OF talking about IT,
You must" said Philip. sternIy.
You love 10 gamble fnterposed; why not
play for Il? Put dagger and ring side By side.
Who wins-has both"
Philips eyes sparkled.
so be it." he cried. gayiy. You owe me my
revenge Randall. my boy! Well play for the
emeraIds You've from steadily %
late-your luck may h0la- 0lIi saitT