The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-08

thought did. but was not quite sure
so / bowed again, which seemed quite as
satisfactory as words 10 Fitz-Johnes, fos
he said, with his arm still linked in mine:
That's all right. Now let's go and ce-
ment our friendship over n bottle OF wine
at the Blue Posts what do you say?"
] intimated that the proposal was quite
agreeable TO me; and we accordingly
wheeled about and directed our steps TO
the inn in question, which, in my time
was the place OF resort par excellence, Of
all midshipmen.
Lord Tomnoddy now removed his hand
kerchief from his eyes; and, sure enough
he had been weeping for l detected him
in the very act OF drying his tears. He
must have possessed a truly wonderful
command over his features. though, for I
could not detect the faintest trace OF that
deep feeling which had overpowered him
so shortly before; on the contrary, ne
laughed uproariously at very feeble Joke
which Just had ventured to let or: and
thereafter, until l parted with them both
an hour later was the merriest of the
party.
We arrived in due course at the BLUE
Posts and, walking into private parlor,
rang for the walter on the appearance OF
that individual, Fitz-Johnes, with a truly
lordly air. ordered In three bottles OF port !:
sagely remarking that he made point of
never drinking less than a bottle himself
and as his friend Hawkesley was known
10 have laid down the same rule, the third
bottle was a necessity unless Lord Tom
noddy was TO go without
Lord Tomnoddy falntly protested
against the ordering of so much wine !;
but Fitz-Johnes was firm I'm his deter
mination. insisting that he should regard
II as nothing short OF n deliberate insult
on Tomnoddy's part IL that individual de-
clined his hospitality.
After considerable delay the wine and
glasses made their appearance, the waiter
setting them dowr and then pausing re-
spectfully by the table.
Thank you; that will do. You need not
wait" said Fitz-Johnes.
The money. II you please. SIR" ex-
plained the waiter
"Oh. ah! yes, TO be sure. The money!
And Fitz-Johnes plunged his hand into
his breeches pocket and withdrew there
from the sum OF twopence half-penny. to-
gethcr with half n dozen buttons (as-
sorted; a penknife minus It's blades; the
Uowl Of clay tobacco-pipe broken short
off; three pieces OF pipe-stem evidently
originally belonging to the latter; and a
small ball Of sewing twine.
Carefully arranging the copper coins on
the edge OF the table he returned the re-
naming articles to their original place
OF deposit. and then plunged his hand in
10 his other pocket from which he pro-
duced-nothlng.
How much is it?" he inquired glanclng
at the waiter.
Fifteen shillIngs, II you please, sir"
was the reply.
Lend me "a sovereign, there's n good
fellow; I've left my purse I'm my other
pocket" he exclaimed to Lord Tomnod-
dy.
II would with pleasure. old fellow. II
had IL. But, unfortunately. / haven't
a farthing about me-
Thereupon the waiter proceeded deliber-
ately 60 gather up the glasses again, and
was about 90 take them and the wine
away. when l interposed with a propo-
sal 90 pay.
NO" said Fitz-Johnes fercely: "I
won't hear of IL; I'll perish NJ the stake
first But II you really don't mind lending
me a sovereign until tomorrow"
(To be continued)