Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-08-01
CHAPTER vi.

| CHAPTER vi.
"vvili You Walk Into My Parlor?"
Mr.. Eustace Charliewood's chambers
were in Jermyn street. But few of his
many friends had ever seen the in
terror of them. Such entertaining as
the man-about-town did-and he was
always one of those who were enter
tanned, rather than one of those who
offer hospitality-was done at his
club.
The man who looked after the place
and valeted his master was. therefore
the more surprised when Charliewood
had called him up one morning after
breakfast.
Look here William" Charliewood
had said, 1--WE got a gentleman com
Ing to dinner. We've some business to
talk over, so l sha'n't dine him at the
club. suppose you can manage a lit
tie dinner here?n
Certainly, sir, if necessary" the
man answered. "Of course, you're not
in the habit of dining at home, and
you've not got your own things. That's
If you mean a proper little dinner,
SIR
Il do, do, William" his master
agreed. hurriedly.
But, there, that needn't matter"
the man went on; I'VE can have every.
thing in, if you like sir" =
That vii. be BEST Charliewood an.
swered. Il leave everything to you,
William. Except" he added, as an af-
terthought, the menu. l want small
dinner, William, but quite good, Shall
we say q little bisque for the soup?
Then, perhaps, a small Normandy sole.
Afterward a chicken cooked en- casser.
ole. AS an entree, some white trIf-
fies stewed in sillery-you can. got
them in glass jars from Fortnum &
Mason Sand then morsel OF Brie
and some coffee. That will do, I
think
And about the wine, sir?" said
William, astonished at these unaccus-
toned preparations, and inwardly re-
solving that Mr.. Eustace Charliewooi
had discovered very gaudy- plumaged
pigeon to pluck.
ooh, about the wine! Well, I think
I'l)3see to that myself. I'll have it sent
up from the club. You've an ice pail
Tor the champagne, haven't you, Will
iam?"
Yes, sir, we certainly have that
Very good, Well say at eight,
then.
William bowed and withdrew.
All that day the various members of
this or that fast and exclusive club
round about st. James street noticed
that Eustacs Charliswood was .:out Of
form. His conversation and his
greetings were not so imperturbably
cheerful and suave as usual. He took
no interest in the absorbing question
as to whether young Harry Rayke-
the earl of Spayde's son--would after
all propose to Lithia Varallette, the
we'll known musical comedy girl. The
head waiter OF the Baobab club noticed
MT Charliewood was eoff his feed p
4 and an everybody with whom the man.
a s'l1s1 came in contact said that
Richard was by no means himself,
AS the evening drew on. lark
foggy evening, which promised, as
night came, to- be ker AM. 4stoggier
still Charliewood's agitation il.
creased though just now there was
no one to see 1T.
55 te5Walked down st. James street
past Marlborough house, and briskly
promenaded the wide and snlen III AZ.
senue which now exists in front Of
buckingham Palace. The fog made
him cough, the raw air was most un-
pleasant, and it was no hour for ex-
seTeise. But, despite the cold and mis-.
cry of It all, Charliewood continued
his tramp backward ard forward.
When he returned to his chambers
In Jermyn street, about ii o'clock. he
found that his clothes were wet with
persp.ration, and only hot bath be-
fire dressing for dinner, and a couple
OF bromide tabloid In a wineglassful
of milk. sufaced to Lring him back to
his ordinary condition. 4.
When, however; he went into his lit
tie dining room, to all outward appear
ances he WIS the usual Eustace Char
liewood Of the pavements and club
r.Yms Of the West end.
The room was comfortable. a
bright fire glowed ,lpon the hearth.
shining upon the high-elass sporting
prints, the subdusd wall paper, the
comfortable padded chairs, and the
shelves loaded with bachelor knick-
knacks and sporting trophies Of his
youth.
"a one corner was a little round
table set Tor two. cleaning with glass
and silver. and III By electric lights