The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-03-01

Self would confess itT'
, He broke out laughing and without
any more ado beckoned me to follow
and walked in his uncertain gait across
the hall and toward a farther room,
from which issued a great noise Of
talk and laughter. Flinging the door
open, he strobe in.
Gentlemen" said he, here is an
other guest to join us. Pray charge
your glasses"
Half a dozen young gentlemen were
spread about the huge room, some ut a
card table, and a generous row of bot
ties testified to the dominant occupa-
ton of the evening. A vacuous but
hearty laugh greeted this.
Il must explain to you, gentlemen"
continued my host, lighting another
cigar, that Mr.-Mr. What's -his-this
gentleman is engaged in the perilous
task of escaping from hostile arma-
ment outside. And it is our duty,
need not say, as English gentlemen to
rescue HIM"
A wild hooray from the party was
the salutation with which this senti-
ment was met.
THE officers of the law, gentlemen"
continued my host. pouring out a glass
of spirit with an unsteady hand. ARE
even now at our gates. preparing to
batter down the pUrtcullis. Gentlemen
if | ask you to stand by us, shall ask
in vain?"
A unanimous negative. shouted at
the ceiling. greeted his question. AS a
slight silence ensued | thought it my
time to venture for myself
I'm the circumstances. gentlemen"-
said l suavely
circumstances be hangedr inter
rupted Lord Winthrop. while l have
a humble roof over my head the needy
and the criminal shall never want
shelter
An interval of. silence ensued, which
one of his companions chose to break
on his own account by starting up and
shouting:
Let US go and break up the foe.
johnny
Gentlemen" said l. raising my voice
above the din. for we should never
reach the end at this rate. the so
called foe is unworthy of your steel.
only ask permission to go forth by
back way and leave you to the pleasant
recreation | have SO rudely interrupt
ed"
Let him stay and take a hand" said
some one, and a chorus of assent went
up.
Gentlemen" said I, With great pc
likeness, Il should be charmed to JON
you in your game but that it must be
apparent TO you that | am playing a
bigger game tonight. The cards are
all against me. and I must use all my
wits. Lord Winthrop, is there a back
way from your house,"
The young nObleman reused himself
MY servants tell me-" said he. THAT
there is garden at the back of the
house. but l wouldn't swear to it.
However, if you like to try, We'll light
the way"
But this was not to my taste, for |
was i'll no humOr to attract my purSu-
ers by this drunken concourse with
lights.
Il think" | said, that your silent
prayers would serve me better And if
you will show me the garden | will
make shift for myself. And be assur-
ed said l, with great ceremony, that
it will remain one of the red letter days
in my life TO have met so courteous a
host DIS Lord Winthrop and so genial
company as the present"
The garden was black and silent
when the door closed upon me. | lis
tened for a few minutes, but could
hear no sound save that of laughter
from the house. Then ! scrambled
among the bushes at the back of the
house and presently came upon Il high
wall. Climbing to the top of this with
difficulty. | looked down upon q road,
and, lowering myself softly | dropped
upon the fO0tpath. Right and left no
one was visible, with which fact. much
enheartened, | walked briSkly away.
| suppose | had gone about mile
among the maze Of roads when | at last
happened upon hanson and drove to
hotel. No sign of my enemy was Wis
ible, and for all | knew or cared they
We're still watching outside Lord Win
thorp's windows.