Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-04

do it. Why. man, it's almost black
guards trick, imposing upon a helpless
woman So I've told you that he's still in
way gentleman. He'd never play a
trick upon a woman. No, no, it's out Of the
question l was mad to suggest such a
scheme. it couldn't be done Mallory
wouldn't do it, anyhow"
Its got to be DONE" said Colonel Won
Altdorf, from between closed teeth II tell
you we're In desperate way. It's playing
trick upon woman to save her reason.
You don't appreciate the state she's in. 1t S
desperate game, but it's the only one to
be played. and your young adventurer yon-
der is the man to play it. After all, it's no
such blackguardly thing, and what re-
sponsibilty there is will be shared amongst
US all. If he plays the part, it's we who
lead him to it. And the lady shall be told
the truth so soon as she's able to bear it"
I took a long breath.
ITS not to my liking" said I, but
caught young Mallory's eye across the
| room, and raised a reckoning hand.
He came over to our table bit I'M
steadily, lacking as before. like yacht in
a heavy sea, and stood with hand upon
| the back of chair smiling down upon us
all. the CHEEKY, confidential smile of intoxi-
| cation-save that with him 1t had a certain
| personal quality, magnetism, sort of
| sweetness.
Mallory" said I, IT want to present you
/ to Sir Gavin Mackenzie. and to Colonel Won
Altdorf of the Novodnian service" Young
Mallory bowed easily to Sir Gavin and
| drawing up, a stiffening into military car
| riage. Then he lurched into chair and
| smiled again.
"a congress O. n-nations. gentlemen"
| said he "a conference O. the powers.
| Pom my-my faith you'll not find four
| races in four men gathered around one
| table every day. Scotland He beamed
! groggily upon Sir Gavin. 'Hoots mon, will
We no. dance us a f1ing?'
| Mackenzie stiffened in his chair but
| hacked at his shins under the table and he
| sank back again.
| England" said young Mallory. and wag-
ged a sorrowful head at me. ooh. man.
had you the sins O. your country upon
your head this night. it's heavy you'd be!
| Novodnia-rnay she never go to fatten the
white bears belly!" There was a fervent
"amen'' from Won Altdorf. "An' old Ire
| land. God bless her green shores! What? a
| drink did you say Creighton? No man can
boast he's heard me cry nay to that call
| A little wine for me stOmach's sake. Egad,
It's naught else I've had for me stomach s
sake since the morning. He garcon, make
| that wine absinthe, Pernod, man, an look
sharp! I'm in need of it,"
| Great heaven, Mallory said I, do you
morning? You're drinking on an empty
| stomach? Why, it's suicide Absinthe
| too and in the evening. Here,
garcon. deux sandwiches pour mousier,
| tout Pinstantl''
| He fell upon the sandwiches when they
1
! palatable though they were, and never
paused until he had finished them.
! The three OF watched him In silence.
| Then, when he had made an end he drew
| himself up with little sigh of comfort
| BAD manners, gentlemen" said he,
smiling again. He seemed more himself,
| the food had taken off the edge of his in
! toxication. bad manners. I grant you
| but faith, needed the sandwiches. BY
| some extraordinary mischance neglected
to lunch or dine forget the reason-Ah,
| yes, twas a poor little devil of model
| out of work, who needed the dinner worse
than 1. An then-why, then what with a
| pair Of absinthes on an empty stomach
or maybe three-I-I went on the hook