New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-20


guest OF an artistOcraric hostess taking his ease
after a good days shooting and rejoicing In the
luxury and solitude Of his own room as an anti
cote to the buzzirg which large house party at
afternoon tea had left in his ears.
And yet as a conclusion to the process OF taking
stock OF -himself-WhCh he had been doing for the
last twenty miHutes-he compelled TO admit
that there was probably not person IN the house
not even excluding the servants who would have
described MIN otherwise than a. az ADVENTURE
had they known how small a basis OF capital or
effort his existence was founded This con fession
made 20 himself because he was far too astuts
young man to double danger by ignoring IL. irrl-
tated him. He hsu sincere longing 10 be 50 dove
r,aly enc Of them; ana 70 this end he had. any
tlme Tor the last tour or i've years been booking
Guy ior a wife sufficiently wealthy 10 insure this
Bash was twenty-seyen. and had so far man
ased 10 balance himself on the extreme sharpness
tbat If man H. t i i,, ron 9 hI Outset IN [e
and Justify that title by the possession OF charming
breeding, society owed him a certain deot which
SOcietyi II II forgot to DO so. should be made 20
said gentlemanly requisites. Il be his
fault should he go under
People were always willing 10 pay IN kind for
being amused. and there were enough luncheon and
dinner invitations to last young man all the year
round II he happened TO be entertaining and good
He had cave Of refuge In London. in the shape
o. bed sitting room on the fourth floor at good
- 49,. u; 90 'iiil4o a, ne
no great dlHcuIty 10 one VINO mad the whole raclns
calendar at his fingers ends. II he took not TO
3.
wynyard
II is quite simple to ask a friend for the name Of
NJ ttllor sIter s3oq dlnneT ana on lhe IneLest
oblge any Of his friends because II the friend
should not pay. the amount be quite easily and
impercepubly grated on to the bin OF the intro
Basil perfectly understood this system. but yet
the tradesmen in question treated him II he were
knew where TO draw the line and when to secure q
lection societies in the world will be able 70 thwart
so laudibe an intention OF those born financially
Boots and other etceteras were obtained On the
some principle only not quite SO easily tor tal!oss
seem 70 be race apart In their touching trust u
But life built thus upon uneasy speculation must
was indeed dark and sonbre thing for young
even his railway fare bacl, to town or soul in
the place who cared about cards. And this vas tia
unhappy position of Basil Wynyard.
He was tSo clever to c9nl'nit IN any way DEED
and he did not care to draw a check. however
small which might possibly not be met
The term OF his visit was drawing to close and
he happened to know that II would be extended.
as his hostess had made her arrangements. There
this delightful old English mansion, and the red
glow played across face quite distorted with the
intensity OF inward debate. II was necessary TO do
something What that something was It was I'M
possible for him to determine. He had never been
He was on the eve Of what might be a solution
There was an heiress in the house who had shown
distinct Partially FOR him. She was leaving Haw-
had thrown out strong hint that II he cared
consumptive cousin. IL would not be entirely dis
Basil knew that she had not the least intention
az the moment Of doing otherwise than keeping him
hanging after her during what might be very
himself How 20 obtain the money to take him
abroad was a question which must be settled speed
hopeless did the prospect seem.
lie would want a hundred pounds AZ the very
least and that would barely see him through. What
was 70 De done ne knew not
door and there entered the only other Young man
OF his own age staying in the house
myself That east wind makes feel quite
i've not been aiseep." said Basil. I've been
''Its a bad habit. and shouldn't make practice
Joye! Why aren't You dressed? You'll be late.
and you'll have Sir William scowng at you ali
IL he would only eat his soup with somewhat
less noise wouldn't mind his scowlius." said
oh. you're so beastly cool, Nothing ever wor-
Doesn't to- Basil raised HIS eyebrows as he
70 the dressing table. lighted the candles which he
had extnguished the soft glow OF the freight hav
Hope I'm not In the way" Young Beaumont
placed himself on the SOFA. drawing up his knees
g., Not n The sast.but youu crease your trousers
Under the pretence Of making a minute inspection
OF his own reflection IN the mirror he examn-
see il there misht be anything in its expression
which suggested man likely to lend him Go0
face. and he was the descendant OF generations OF
none Of tbeiT bf Z" MAKE he ba a{ inbTit
their capacity for keeping money with even more
Basil saved himself the annoyance OF a refusal.
ma pIated ms own lHise IN tne glass WIN
capital 20 exploit itself.
And yet young Beaumont was cycling him en-
viousIy. His own pasty face. with It's weak chin
and silly, aimless nose was. perhaps the one thing
he would have exchanged cheerfully with Wynyard.
1t was Irritating TO him that his hair. with any
amount or slHB "Ouit Lot ne Win ne pTrIett
appearance Of being well groomed. which Basil
managed to achieve By just laying the brushes on
You are leaving Tomorrow. aren't you?' Bash
Yes Rather sorry IN some ways glad in others
nearly IwSys get bored after I'VE been IN the place
Basil did not answer 70 MS fastidious ears Beau
the subject Of women.
person who required announcement 10 chatter Ike
a mOnkey-"why don't you make up 20 the Cheyeley /
girl? It's quite obvious shes very gone on you. and
Basil could not be dear TO aattery so very sooth-
What has a penniIess devil like myself got to do |
Wen II heiresses were not made for fellows who
nre hard up. who we're they made for2
IT, said Basil. surveying his long slim figure in the /
glass with some satisfaction:
hing with woman, I heard Lady Willard telling /
'5cs and mat She was certain YOUR life had not
been happy one or course, Laughed, -,
Basil
BY the way. do you know who's coming here to-
morrow
mo haven't the remotest idea"
why. old Lord DOvercOurt.'
"Oh. Lady MilIarjs brother
Yes ] heard her saying that IL frighttulIy Il
awkward. but that he would insist on coming"
Automatically
What. don't know
Never met the man in my life
Why he's a klepJOmaniaC- When he pays this i
house p visit they lock everything that's valu-
able. You'll see. all those knicknacks in the draw
nz Dom viii have disappeared tC-rnOTrOv-mInia-
ra1 AVID in az
Why don't they lock him Up2''
Don't Ike TO. I suppose II he takes ANYTHING
YOU know. his servant returns ii TO you the next