The Washington times., 1903-08-30

All l want is to get my picture back.
and that in the quietest way possible
''I'll do It," said
"When?" she asked.
II think now will be a very convenient
time l returned. IF you are going TO
do something disagreeable waiting only
prolongs the agony"
We both rose and stood looking at
each other. She slowly detached flow
er from her dress and held 1T toward me.
Are you superstitious she asked.
mo. 1 don't think so. / returned.
Il am going to pin this in your but
tonhole rs your gage d'amour," she
said. Ito give you courage in the tour
ney and remind you of the maid whose
wrongs you will avenge"
''It will be my talisman." / said. bend
ing for her to pin the rose in my coat.
Woman like, she took several moments
to do this to her satisfaction; and when
at last she had added the final touch she
suddenly pressed her lips to the petals.
Now go," she said. and as she rails
ed her eyes TO mine l saw they were
filled with tears
"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
in uniting costume"
The big room of the Country Club
was all but empty Except for a dis
dainful old lady reading a newspaper
between sips OF tea, and a pale young
man sunk in an armchair before the fire.
the place was as lifeless as an Egyptian
tomb. Nothing broke the silence but a
faint buzz of talk from the window
seat, where, half hidden in the haze of
cigar smoke. could make out my man
sitting with two companions. He was a
handsome, somewhat dissipated-l looking
fellow. with an undeniably weII-bred air
and pleasant. friendly manner. l no
ticed. with rather disturbing sense OF
something melting inside me. that he
looked as though he might be a clean
hitter. OF the trio. 1 should have much
preferred that fate had pitted me
against the little dark man in breeches
or the fiabby creature with the eye
glass and gaTdenia who guarded the
enemys other flank However, 1 was in
for it now; and SO, looking at my rose
and sustaining myself with the thought
OF that vivid girlish face. l walked bold
ly over to the window and confronted
SkirvinGs
II beg your pardon I said, as all
~ l.O.l
ment. II am looking for Mr. slsirving,'
I must have betrayed myself by my
tone. for their first glances OF embar-
raised eordiaIity turned by fine gra-
dation into stony stare. skirving de-
liberately laid down his glass. took the
cigar from his mouth, and gazed at me
coldly from tip to toe
II am Mr. STRIVING" he said.
Might I have a word with you in
private? / asked.
HE gave me another long look.
These gentlemen are my friends" he
said. You are quite at liberty to speak
before them"
It's a very delicate matter" I said.
THE deuce it is" said Skirving with
great insolence.
"A lady" l began. whose name
neither you nor l need mention. has
charged me with little commission /
daresay you are ignorant how deeply
you have hurt her feelings"
Skirving rammed his hands into his
pockets and eyed me fiercely.
What LADY," he asked
"rd rather not mention names" 1
said.
Have you the same delicacy about
mentioning the commission he inquired
ironically.
No" / said
Il don't like you" said Skirving, and
I don't like the tone you are talking to
me; and I'd advise you for your own
sake to come pretty soon to the point -
Does that convey nothing TO your
mind?'' l asked, pointing 10 his watch
chain.
do you think stole it?" said Skirv-
ing