The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-18
CHAPTER MI.
In HnG.Ak 1Ai tI,IIIN CIIINll "A.


THE ROOM IN THE CUPOllA.
Mr.. Carewe returned, one warm May
afternoon, by the six O'CLOCK ooa.
which was sometimes day iate an.
| sometimes n few hours early; the latte,
contingency arising, as in the presei,
| instance when the owner was aooa'u
Nelson drove him from the wharf ,c
the bank. where he conferred briefly
| In an undertone with Eugene Maorii-
Ion; after which Eugene sent a note
containing three words TO TappinShall,
Marsh. Marsh tore up the note. anu
sauntered over to the club, Where ho
found General Tumble and Jefferson
Baireaud amicahly discussing pitcher
of cherry bounce.
Gle has COME said Tappingham,
pleased to find the pair the only occn-
pants Of the place. 'He saw Madrillon,
and there's a session Tonight
.'1oraise the Lord" exclaimed the
stout General rising to his feet. II
see old Chenoweth at once. My fingers
have the Itch" ,,
"And mine, too said Bareaud. ia
begun to think we'd never have a 80
with him again."
You must see that Crailey comes
We want full table. Drag him. IL you
can't get him any other way"
"He won't need urging" said Jeftes-
Eon.
but he cut us last Lllne -
THO won't cut tonight. What hour?
Nine answered Tappingham. It's
10 be full sitting, remember.
Don't fear for u.s." laughed Trun1ble.
Nor for Crailey," jefferson added.
after so long a vacation you couldlht
keep him away IL you chained him to
the courthouse pillars; he'd tear en- In
two!"
Here's to our better fortunes, thent
said the old soldier, filling glass Tor
Tappingham and, Here's to our better
fortunes" echoed the young man, pour
Ing off the gentle liquor heartily Hav-
ing thus made libation to their particu-
lar god the trio separated.
But Jefferson did not encounter the
alaority of acceptance he expected from
Crailey. when he found him, half an
hour later, at the hotel bar. Indeed at
first, Mr.. Gray not only refused out
same course upon Jefferson; moreover,
his remonstrance was Offered In such
evident good faith that Bareaud. In the
act Of swallowing one Of his large doses
of qu!ninc, paused with only hall the
powder down his throat. gazing. non
plussed, at his prospective brothcr.ln-law.
My immortal SOUL" he gasped. rs
Nothing" replied Crailey. quietly.
Only don't go. you've lost enough.
well, you're beautiful one!" JEFF
ferson exclaimed with an incredulous
laugh. you're q master hand; you, to
talk about losing enough
II know; know" Crailey began. sha-k-
Ing his head. but"
you've promised Farchon never to
go again, and you're afraid Miss Betty
will see or hear us. and tell her you
werc there"
4. ar f1np't Lpo,p Mics CarrWe.o
Then you needn't fear: besides, she'll
be out when we come. and asleep when
We go. She will never know we've been
In the house"
That has nothing to do with it. said
impatiently: and he was the
more earnest because he remembered
the dangerous geography of the Carewe
house. which made it impossible for
any one to leave the cupola room except
by the long hall. which passed certain
doors. II will not go. and what's more.
promised Fanchon I'd Try to keep you
out of 1t hereafter
Lord, but were vrtuousM laughed
the incredulous Jefferson. I'll come for
you at q quarter to nine"
II will not go, I tell YOU"
jefferson roared, Yes, you will You
couldn't keep from 1t If you trled' And
he took himself off, laughing violently,
a gain promising to call for Crailey on
his way to the tryst. and leaving him
still warmly protesting that 1t would be
a great folly for either of them to go.
Crailey looked after the lads long,
thin figure with an expression as near
anger as ne ever wore. Hell So" he
said to himself.
''And--ah, well-I'M have to risk It!
I'll go with him, but only to try and
bring him away early-that is. as early
as it's safe to be sure that they are
asleep downstairs. And T won't play.
No, I'll not play I: III not play"
He paid his score and went out of the
hotel by side door Some distance up the
street, Barenud was still to be seen,
lounging homeward in the pleasant af-
tcrnoon sunshine, he stopped on a cor
her and serenely poured another quinine
powder into himself and threw the paper
to couple of pigs who looked up from
the gutter maliciously.
"Confound him." said Crailey, laugh.
ing ruefully. 'tIc makes me a mission
nry-for I'll keep my word to Fanchon
in that, at least! I'll look after Jefferson
Tonight. All, might as well be old Tom
Vanrevel. indeed!''
Meanwhile, Mr., Carewe had taken pos
session of his own again. His daughter
ran to the door to meet him; she was
trembling a. little. and blush1ng and
SlnlllQS, Ntlu Jul Ijolu lltT lduuS W IlHl
so that Mrs, Tanberry vowed this was
the loveliest creature in the world. and
tho l1indest.
Mr.. Carewe bowed slightly, as to an ac-
quaintance, and dsregarded the extended
hands.
At that, the blush faded from Miss
Betty's checks; she trembed no more,
and a salutat!on as Icy as her fathers was
returned to him. He bent his heavy
brows upon her. and shot a black glance
her way, being, of course. Immediately
enraged by her reflection OF his own
manner. but he did not speak to her.
Nor did he once address her during the
evening meal, preferrinE to honor Mrs,
Tanberry with his conversation to that
diplomatic ladys secret anger, but out
ward amusement. She cheerfully neglect.
ed to answer him at times having not the
slightest awe OF him, and turned to the
girl instead; indeed, she was only pre-
vented from rating him soundly at his
own tableby the fear that she might
make the situation more difficult for her
young charge, AS soon as it was possible,
she made her escape with Miss Betty,
and they drove away in the twilight to
pay visits Of duty, leaving Mr. Carewe
frouuipp at his coffee on the yeranaa