New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-30

Mr.. Skirving. sir? Yessiri Over there IN the
window seat sir; yessir. Him that's leaning over
and talking confidential like to the small dark gent
The big room Of the Country Club was all but
empty Except for disdainful old lady reading
a in 0e an r SR5 q before the Are the place
was as ufeless as an Egyptian tomb NoIhlhfg
window seat, where half hidden in the haze of
cigar smoke. could make out my man sitting WIN
two companions. He A handsome sorneWhaI
dissfpated looking fellow. with an undeniably well
b BFed ar aho er disturbing Sense Of
thing melting inside me, that he looked as though
have much preferred that fate had pitted me
against the little dark man in oreeches or me
fabby creature with the eyeglass ana gardenla VINO
guarded the enemys other flank. However, | was
IN for Tg a Rb So the oq }b6n N @ d s
ish face. walked boldly over TO the WlnooW ana
Z beg your pardon II said as all three looked up
at me in some astonishment. I am looking Tor MI.
I must have betrayed myself by my tone. for
their first glances of embarrassed corosty IorHeo
Hberareiy laid down his glass took the cigar from
N- T am Mr.. skiTTfng. he said.
Might 1 have a word with you in private7" I
asked.
He gave me another long look.
These gentlemen are my friends lends. + he said
It's on a very delicate, matter" I said
"A lady" I began, whose name neither you nor
1 need mention has charged me with d little com
mission. dare say you are ignorant no" deeply
you have hurt her feelings .,-...
'.sTh hat Iadv?S he asked
I'D rather not mention names" I said
Have You the same delicacy about mentioning
the comInissi9n?' ne inquired lrofllcaly-
4 don't ike you" said STRIVING, and don't
like the tone you are taking to me, and I'd advise
you for your own sake TO come pretty soon to the
Does that convey nothing 10 your mind"
DO you think I stole it, said Skirvtng
II mean the watch" said.
We'll its mine too, sald sklT [Ygi, ,1+ han
pens to contain lady's picture-a photograph-apd
the lady has requested me 10 get it back at the
skirving looked up at me perfectly stqpefied
Then the blood began slowly TO color ms Iacg Ua
friends broke into loud litter. and the Dtte dark
The lady wants it back, skirving old fellow
he cried. Pony up old man -, =, -.
telling US about" giggled the man with the eye
glass; the girl that was so dead gone on nun!
their own wit, while Skirving himself furious ana
his crimsoning forehead. rose with threatening
movement to his feet .,-,,, ,,,,,s+ ,,o- mako
.sStt down. cried his friends. and between them
they forced him back into mis- chair: ,
you viii kindly give me the ladys picture" /
And suppose WON'T" he calculated looking me
very grrnly in the face.
You won't SUPPOSE he cried out, YOU Who
the deuce are you?" Only he didn't say deuce
Il don't count in this matter at all" said You
will please regard me as simply the lazy mes
4 will tell you what please TO regard you as
I've rarely heard exceued- That's what you are,
When you have quite finished remarked 4
shall be glad TO have that picture
You shant have it, ne cried ,. o.. :.
ooh pardon me-" I said, but l happen 70 De
YOU can't very well compel me- he exclaimed
How" Hl5 he demanded with bulldoggish glare
Because I presume you are gentleman. sag
sweetlv. q didn't think he was one-but stilD
because it's lady's undouuted right TO cnanse
her mind as often she pleases and 10 recall any
little favor she may have given Gny-gentseman nan
sound that was almost like sob. She stuck it in
nv watch herself Cad. she kissed the
"Oh. shut up cried the little dark man IN
'II never speak TO her again!" roared skirving
..Tbevre an alike interrupted the habby man
7 never spent penny on them adr gsg exclaimed
Slirving, with CHASTITY grin
when yOu are ready = sac 1.a It'll, 49,,
IF ii wasn't such deuced bad form Ia KICK you
oh come" I said; you know you can't he!p
You're up against itr' said the little dark man
70 PM RT1 70 OF 1hink''- began skirving
Il think myself" said the little dark man, that
1oI'd hetrer 90 way back and sit down.
and not bother any more about little things in
1N1ho's got a knife2' said Skirving
had. but I thought IT wasn't for me TO voiun-
Heres mine" said the fahby man
Sldrving took it with trembling hands. ana
his monogram in brin!ants-he began 10 PICK , oui
the little photograph inside the case looked
attention: but out of the corner Of my eye could
see ne making very poor JOB or u quite
slashed the face again and again with the glancins
blade and only got the thing out at last IN dozen
nIished he held up the watch for TO see that
there was nothing left Of the girls faca