Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-05-27
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER NV.
"a - Il. BRUMMEL'S party went |
II" by water to Eauxhall, and
N1 twas indeed heavenly |
night for such an expedition,
with no large lady moon a-staring, but
the rather thin slip Of silver damsel
hanging in the vault and millions Of
stars awaiting on her, not any Of these
a-revealing too much or a-telling any
tales If gentleman's hand CHANGED to
come in contact with lady's amid the
folds of brOcade or under the long cloth
of the black, crimson or blue cloaks in
which all these merry masQueraders
were enveloped.
SIR Percy de Bohun was beside Lady
Diana Weston. Peggy noted the same
with jealous. despairing eyes. while at
the left Of Lord BroOkwoOd's daughter
sat her own twin, only the second time
she had seen him since the memorable
night in Lark lane. nor did she see him
plainly now, for all the company had
set forth in their masks and only re-
moved them between whites to gain q
breath of fresh air. Twas expected
that the larger number of the party
would meet them at the gardens. and
thereafter the sport and mystifcation
would begin.
So it turned out. Not only all the
rest of Mr.. Brummels friends in their
cloaks and masks. with glimpse now
and then of satins, taffetas. laces. rib
ands, jeweled stomachers, bOdices
ablaze and SO forth, but vast assem-
blage of other folk also awaited the ar
Of the gardens.
Among these. two lurked in the shad-
ow Of he trees. They were Sir Robin
and the vicar. The former noted with
deep JOY that he had by a happy chance
chosen a crimson color for his new suit
exactly corresponding to that Of one
Of these gallants, that his cloak Of sable
hue was also quite the ton and that he
couSa thus with ease mingle with the
party. and presently no doubt either
discover Lady Peggy's identity. or, more
than likely. she herself would disclose
the same to him and ut last reward
his faithfulness and patience. No
Qualm visited the little gentleman's
conscience pocket with regard to his
supposed victim. although it is true
he had given him a vicious thought as
he had stood near the rivers bank
waiting for Mr.. Brummel's barge to
come in sight. So had Peggy as she
was being rowed past the old Dove
pier. Into her mind and into Sir Per.
cy's had come the memory Of the Sun
day night. but he spoke of it no more
than. certes. did she.
Sir Robin, his cup overfOwing with
pleasurable anticipation and the graft
fed sense that the one who had sworn
to take his life lay, fish food, at the
bottom Of the Thames, fitted hither
and yon, dragging the bewildered vicar
Of Friskingdean in his wake.
Wherever the company Of Mr.. Brum-
mel wandered there followed, hanging
on to the fringe. as 'twere. these two,
whom presently one-half the guests &C
copied as a matter Of course to be of
themselves.
xAOOAA ~ 1851 oAAAO OOio W oN
dress a few words, as it CHANGED. to
the lively Lady Biddy O'Toole.
1t had seemed to him after a careful
survey Of all and having been able by
dint Of his ears to learn which was
KennastOn, whose was the only per
sonality SO far in his possession, that
Lady Biddy's arch turn of the head
was the most like to belong to the OBJ
ject of his passion. So up he springs
mincing. leaving the vicar to huddle in
the shade, and, pulling her ladyship'a
mask riband with a twitching finger
and thumb. as he had seen others dc
Just now, he said. very low, in her ear
I'm sure know who your ladyship
ia"
"Out with it." says she, very low too
Its she whose image is writ on my
heart" answers he.
Sure" answers she; that's q thing
that can never be known until you're
dead, and maybe not as soon. since the
surgeons don't cut up everybody. Lud
sir, give me your name, and We'll tall
Of your heart anon"
Il am Sir Robin McTart Of Robins
void, Kent eXclaims he, feeling posi-
tive that this saucy mink is none Other
than his adored, for, be it remembered
Lady Biddy spoke under her breath
and with a disguised tone to her voice
"'Od's blood!' now whispers hel
ladyship, with an accent Of mock ter
ror, into Sir Robins ear. You, the
highwayman. the cutthroat. the robber
what, I've heard. sticks gentlemen In
the back or has your men do it fol
you and profits by that same" laugh
ing fit to kill herself.
But the little man does not laugh
The cold sweat stands out all over his
aallow countenance, aud he's so terri
fed, recalling the threats of Mr.. Biloxi
sey, that he stands stock still and real
ly cannot move leg.
They are nigh the Dark walks as Sil
Robin comes to his halt, and Lady Bid
dy, not pausing even to note his silence
goes merriIy on with her most apt dis
course.
oh" proceeds she, "but you are the
hero Of the day, Sir Robin, and it's my
SELF that's proud to be in your com