Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-22

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4 the main part, that preiis it.sgy s. II
mish was occupied by convs ton me
most distant from the subject we III
had at heart It was Sesca.nbe hin
1 who set the example Of reserve, and
we followed lneakly enough. When
say reserve I am thinking only of one
4 particular point, for heaven knows that
i his talk was sufficiently frank upon
| other topics. AS had occasion to take
note now and subsequently, the man
was by nature framed for good talk
/ er, and, although be had every preju-
dice against him, and started, SO to
| speak, with a great handicap, he soon
wore down the feelings with which We
/ embarked upon the entertainment.
And it was not until we had preached
a sort of good fellowship and the even
ing was far spent that anything hap
pened to mar our growing harmony.
| 1t fell out thus Sercombe himself
! had Just concluded an amusing nara
| tive of his experiences among the brig
ands of Calabria, and Sheppard re-
| sumed the conversation with an adj
venture of his own. The evening
had fallen dark and cloudy. and amid
the starlike candles that illumined the
room the dark figure of Hood moved
noiselessly and constantly. had
heard this story of Sheppard's which
| indeed, was not very exciting. and my
mind swaying from its polite duty,
rested unconsciously upon the new inn
keeper. AS / watched him I saw the
| two men exchange glances-an inter
rogating look upoa collbe's part, a
! battling and inscrutsblc look from
Hood. There followed an instant's
pause, and then the nun approached
/, the master with the pretext of dish.
| Sercombe spoke low and across his
shoulder, nervously exploring the con-
| tents of the dish with spoon. Hood
said nothing and, raising his eyes, soft
| " fixed them upon me at the other end
of the table. For moment we regard
! ed each other LUMINOSITY, and then his
glance fell politely away. Sercombe
still whispered and, thought with q
growing anxiety. 1t was time for me
to interfere.
Captain Sercombe," cried sharply,
breaking upon the tail of Sheppard's
yarn, ssthese communications are not
included in the compact"
The captain started, and his face red
dened deeper, but he wSs always a
cool hand.
81 must ask you to remember, Mr..
Greatorex," said he suavely, shat /
| a ~, v-a.rr or1Iact
sThat is true,' said Sheppard, nod
ding his head.
Sercombe looked at me with some
asperity.
IT think, SIR said he, 'that in the
circumstances you will see that you
have overstepped the privileges of gen
tlemen."
1The word is hardly in the case. /
think we are agreed that it is as thieves
we meet, !" interjected Sheppard smooth
| ".
"You are right, Captain Sercombe,"
1 answered, being in my turn in COM
mand of myself, and I offer you my
apology for the rudeness, but / am at
least the master Of my own servants,
and Hood shall keep his distance and
not hang about annoying my guests"
With which | ordered him forthwith to
the window, a command which he has
tened to obey almost by anticipation.
must say that this unpleasant cpl
sode at once changed the atmosphere
of the room. On the whole, | did not
regret this, as l conceived that we had
perhaps reached the proper term Of our
familiarity with Sercombe. 1t was
strange to see the instant revolution in
our mutual attitudes. Whether Ser
combe himself had been as easy as he
had previously seemed, or whether he
had acted a part for our benefit, can
not say, but it is certain that now he
was charged with anxiety. Now and
again his eyes, puffed and bloodshot,
fickered uneasily on Hood, where the
man stood in his corner, a memorial of
black sobriety, and his demeanor was
carefully under restraint. The situa-
ton became a little disagreeable, and
thought the time had arrived to end it.
Captain Sercombe," I said, quite
formally, Il fancy our dinner, such as
it is, is over, and if you will take no
more wine perhaps we had better get
to business"
Certainly, SIR said the captain
cheerfully and draining his glass. Il
am at your service"
looked at Hood. 1T is time now"
said |, that we We're alone" And I
waited to see the man move.
A quick exchange of glances took
place between them, and then the inn
keeper turned his back on US and bus
led himself with the plates upon the
sideboard
Sercombe colored angrily and was
visibly disconnected. It beg your par
don, sir," said he, with slight STAN
mer, .but have already had the honor
of informing you that am not alone in
this matter.
Really" said Sheppard gently, Il do
not think we can invite our servants to