Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-04-22

up neck and neck with the gray of the
supposed baronet and the black of Mr..
Chalmers.
ITO the rescue, Sir Percy cried this
one jocularly. Your assistance l beg.
and the loan of your wits in our argu-
ment."
with all my heart" answers Percy,
seeming Il possible chance to worst his
rival even in a battle of words. whats
the subject
"A truce to IT, eXclaims the Beau.
with an expressive shake of his head
at Mr.. Chalmers, who, however, seldom
notes any obstacle 10 the pleasure OF
his present moment.
NO truce at all. Mr.. Brummel,' an
swers he gayly. "Tis'-
"'Tis nothing whatever, Sir Percy"
interrupts Lord Escombe, putting his
hand on Chalmers rein, and adding IN
an undertone: "GadZoOks, man, hold
YOUR peace! The matters like tow and
finder betwixt Percy and McTart.'
"'Pon my soul, gentlemen" now cries
Percy, Il insist upon Jacks being al
lowed to proceed with his remarks. If
he wants my counsels. they're his.
Come, sir, speak"
"'Tis but this" says Mr.. Chalmers.
II say to Sir Robin that since the
worlds busy with rumors of his secret
marriage to Lady Peggy BurGoyne,
since as l learn by my man. who had
it at the gate Of the very best author
ity-gad, sirs, it's fact even II we
don't relish it, the gist Of our gossip
comes from below stairs. up-that
Lady Peggy is from home, her father
believing her in Kent at her godmoth-
er's"-Mr Chalmers smiles-"her moth
err being in York, believing her safe at
Kennaston, l say, my lords and gentle
men, 1t behooves Sir Robin confide the
matter to his best friends and give
them chances to congratulate him and
the lady. Have the right oft, Percy
yes or no?"
Percy is silent for moment 1t seems
to him a Dissertation Of the sweet, mod
est and womanly girl he has so long
adored thus to hear even her name
much less a discussion Of her most pri
vate matters, made into mirthful sub
ject on a mornings ride.
His anger, too, is great that the man
whose name is coupled with hers has
not already put stop to such con-
versation, even were it at the point Of
the sword.
Shall he here and now so reply to Mr..
Chalmers as shall breed an instant re-
tort from Sir Robin and a challenge on
the spot? The wild thought even flashes
through his brain that Sir Robin might
be left dead on the ground and that
some time in the dim future he might
win Peggy back to himself.
But, with a tightening rein, he checks
himself as we'll as his horse as he an
swers:
"Mr. Chalmers, the lady you name Is
one whom l honor most deeply, and 1t
seems to me if she has seen fit to so
into seclusion or to marry secretly that,
while may wish it had been in open
church. l must continue to respect her
preferences until she elects TO change
Them" with which, breaking the little
pause Of silence which follows, Sir
Percy gallops ahead, joining Mr.. Brum-
mel, who has put himself quickly out
Of the commotiOn he had foreseen as
likely to arrive.
Meantime it may be correctly imagin-
ed that her ladyship, with all her sex's
exquisite ingenuity at plaguing itself
whenever 1t possibly can, had seized
upon those words Of Sir Percy's most
easily twisted into q means of self cor
ture.
II wish it had been In open church,
instantly stuck itself In her thoughts
beside consents" the two forming just
that species of fiagellation which ladies
70 situated In mind are wont to inflict
upon themselves.
The supposed Sir Robin from this on
until the arrival Of the party at Ivy
Dene became taciturn. even morose.
and not syllable could De got from
him In answer to the widest gibes.
Her eyes intent upon Sir Percy, who
now kept to the fore with his host. my
Lady Peggy. on the keen lookout for
the possible assassin, and to the tune
of consents" and its running mate, Il
would it had been In open church,
put in a very dolorous twenty miles.
but on dismounting at Mr.. Brummers
doorstep she endeavored to infuse q
little joyousness into her looks and
speech.
The afternoon was spent as had been
planned. The country cooks dinner
was voted q perfect success. A game
Of cards was In order after the repast
tilt ut politics. wager on the ques-
ton Of tea in the colonies. Lady Peggy
and Sir Percy keeping. by the grace Of
each, well apart in all these encounters,
and at IL o'clock. just as the moon was
rising behind a bank Of splendid star
fringed clouds. Mr.. Brummel and his
guests set forth on their homeward
road.
The beauty Of the night was such as
sUothes and casts its own mantle OF
peace over even those unquiet spirits
which may be abroad.
The cavalcade had left the highway
some distance behind; the moon was