New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24
Tsvo Of Them.
BY THOMAS COBB.

Il don't mind. Fire away urged Gerald.
! lighting another cigarette.
You see. / asked her first. and she may
have thought it such awful cheek of you that
she thought she'd serve you out. When you
get to Grosvenor Gardens you'll hear that she's
| engaged to me-
How do you know she will see you hrst?'
demanded Gerald.
All. welI."- said Norman. and he went
! away shortly afterward in far lower spirits
than he had arrived. Gerald, for his part. de-
| termned to be first at the house on the Tues
/ day.
! on reaching The house however. ten minutes
before the ap.ointed tine he saw. to his an
| uoyance. Norm au pacing to and fro a few yards
/ away. evidently waiting for the half hour to
/ strike.
"Hullo. old chap said Gerald. little sheep
! ishly
Look here" oiied Norman we can't so in
! tosetherr'
/ An right suppose you 20 for a walk for
/ half hour Gerald suggested
I'm going to ring the bell said Norman.
walking to the doorstep
We shall look like pair Of jackasses" an
swered Gerald. keeping close to his side. and,
as he spoke. the butler opened the door.
! Miss Northcottr' they exclaimed together.
! step this way. sir" said the butler. and. hav
/ ing waited while he shut the door. they followed
/ him upstairs To the drawing room
! 4 have al appointment with Miss Northcott
| at half past three" urged Norman. who had
succeeded In getting first.
! Certainly. sir"
! Il have an appointment with Miss NOrthcOtt."
said Gerald. raising his voice and speaking over
| Norman's shoulder.
Very good sir answered the butler. and.
stopping the landing. he opened the door
! OF the drawing room.
The room was unoccupied. and the butler
retired. Norman and Gerald stood solemnly star
| ing at each otter.
"A rummy go. and aistake"' said Nor
| man.
"she can't mean to see us both at once"
murmured Gerald
"Oh, we'll she's pretty certain to send for
me hrst!" cried Norman.
Just TO clear the decks a bit. don't you
know" answered Gerald; and at the same mo-
ment the door opened and a tall, sparely built |
man. with shrewd looking. shaven face and
closely cut gray hair. entered
| "A delightful afternoon" he remarked. and. |
with considerable intensity. they both declared |
| themselves In agreement with him. Won't you |
sit DOWN. he added. and, while Gerald sat
en- the edge of the sofa, Norman took the near
est chair.
THE fact is he explained II wished to |
| see Miss NOrthcott"
Il have an appointment at half-past three!"
cried Gerald
| Il am afraid there's nothing but disappoint-
ment IN store for you" their host answered |
| Miss Northcott happens TO be in Paris"
Norman turned reproachfully toward Gerald |
| and Gerald scowled at Norman
| But" the host continued. "she wrote to me
to the effect that you were coming here this
| afternoon"-
Did she say both of us?" demanded Gerald
"Yes-both I don't know whether you prefer
that should speak to you separately" he said;
but in that case shall merely repeat my
| words"
Norman and Gerald looked at each other again
| as their interlocutor added: "Of course I need
is very beautiful and charming young lady
She is also extremely rich. and fearing that
she might contract InjudiCous marriage, her
father put clause in his will to the effect that
| she was to forfeit her right to his money II she
| married without my consent before the age Of
five and twenty. At present. Miss NOrthcOtt is
nineteen"
Five and twenty" nuttered Norman, while
Gerald gazed at the lining of his hat
Now" continued the hest, with perfect
urbanity. CLARA chooses to resent this brief
| authority Of mine. She resents 1t very deeply.
and the consequence is that she does her level
hest to make me suffer presume that you
gentlemen have asked ter a certain question:"