The Washington herald., 1906-11-19

self only 20 my lawyer; and, OF course,
my tObacconist-old Taberley-knows. But
from paragraphs in the society papers
about my noble self I'm supposed to be in
California. OF course. as 1 told you. I
take jolly good care to keep out OF every
ones way. I'm of 10 the Cape in a
month. and then if fortune favors me with
a commission and a V. c.. I'll take up the
title again"
You sun hold the castle, then2"
Yes. It's the last OF the old property
Old Mother Moon looks after It for me.
She's a horrid old squaw. but devoted to
me So she ought 10 be. got that brat
OF a grandson Of hers a situation as mes
senger boy TO ole Taberley Not that
he's done much good. He's out Of his
place now. and from all accounts, is a
regular young brute
Does he know you have enlisted?''
What. young Judas-I call him Judas,
said Commission, because he's such Grim
inal kid No. he doesn't TabeTley had
20 tuD6 him away for robbing till or
something. Judas has spoiled his morals
by reading penny novels, and by this time
I shouldn't wonder If he hasn't embarked
on q career Of crime like young Claude
Duval No, Gore: he doesn't know. I'm
glad Of it-as he would tell Mother Moon,
and then she'd howl the castle down at
the thought Of the head Of the West fam
lily being brought so low
West Is your family name, isn't it?'
1t is; and Richard IS my own name
Richard Grenville Plantagenet West, Lord
Commission. That's my title. But 1 drop
ped all friIs, and here / smoke, Dick
West, at your service, Bernard, my boy.
So now you've ask me enough questions,
what's your particular Hep
Dick, Dick, you are as hair-brained as
ever. I never could
NO" interrupted Cohnisten. you
never could sober me. Bless you. Bern
ard, it's better to laugh than frown,
though you don't think So
Gore pitched away the stump Of his
cigarette and laughed somewhat sadly.
I have cause to frOwn.' said he, wrink-
ling his forehead. My grandfather has
cut me off with a shilling
The deuce he has" said Conniston
coolly. Take another cigarette, old boy,
and buck Up. Now that you haven't
a cent, you'll be able to carve your way
to fortune"
That's a philosophic way to look at
the matter, Dick
The only way" Tejoined Commission,
emphatically When you've cut your
mooTings you car. make for midocean and
see life. It's storm that tries the vessel.
Bernard, and you're too good a chap to
lie I'D in port as a dull country squire"
Bernard looked round, surprised II was
not usual 10 hear the light-hearted Diclzy
moraiize thus. He was as sententious as
TOuchstone, and for the moment Gore,
who usually gave advice, found himself
receiving IL. The two seemed to have
changed places. Dick noticed the look
and slapped Gore on the back. I've been
seeing life since we parted at Eten, old
boy" said he, and 1.-THE trouble Of it,
/ mean-has hammered me into shape"
1t hasn't made you respondent,
though"
And 1t never win.'' said Commission. en-
phatically. until meet with the woman
who refuses to marry me. Then I'll
howl"
You haven't met the woman yet?"
NO. But you have. I can see it in the
telltale blush. Bless me, old Gore, how
boyish you are. 1 haven't blushed for
years"
You hardened sinner. Yes! There is a
woman, and she is the cause of my
trouble"
The usual case said the worldly-wise
Richard. who is she?"
Her name is Alice" said Gore. slowly,
his eyes on the damp grass
A pretty unromantic domestic name
Don't you remember sweet Alice, Ben
Bolt? -
I'm always remembering her." said
Gore, angrily. Don't quote that SONG.
Dick. used to sing it to her. Poor
Alice"
What's her other name?'
Maileson-Alice Malleson!"
Great Scott"' said Commission, his law
falling. The niece Of Miss Berengaria
PIantagenet?"
Yes, Do you know" Here Gore
broke off, annoyed with himself. "Of
course. How could forget? Miss Plan
tagenet is your aunt"
Ny rich aunt, who could leave me
1ve thousand g year if she'd only die. But
daresay she'll leave it to Alice with the
lght-brown hair. and you'll marry her"
"Conniston. don't be an ass. II you know
the story Of Miss Mallesons life. Won
must know that there isn't the slightest
chance OF her inheriting the money"
All but, you see, Bernard, I don't
know the story"