The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-20
CHAPTER xv.-continued.

CHAPTER xv.-Continued.
And. shyly, Charles explained how
the thought had come to him that Mr..
Jack, under his reverse OF fortune and
In his now mode OF life, might prob
ably be discarding his ceremonious
dress suits. Charles. impelled by this
thought, had gone to Mr.. Gregory IN
Water Lane, but had there learnt That
among apparel sold BIZ MIR. Vincent
there were no dress suits. {ll
II thought" said Charles apologet-
ically, you wouldn't be wanting them
nowadays; and you, sir. being fine
figure OF a man-like myself--your
cast-o1s would do me proud, and fit
me as glove. ~. Now. sir. IL you
could let me have suit--not to give,
but to sell -"
No" said Jack. II can't sell you a
suit. I'm not an old-clothes merchant.
But come upstairs. and I'll see what
can do for YOU" and he lit his bod
room candle.
Mind your head. Charles" said jack,
as he led the way into the little room
upstairs. Then. pulling forward n
trunk from the dark corner. he brought
out his treasures. laid them on the
bed. and examined them.
Here Charles. Here you are. You
are very welcome to these"
Sir" said Charles. in raptnre, chow
can | thank you sufficient
That's all right" said Jack. II can
spare them. They are too big for me
now. Look here, Charles and with
both hands he plucked at his waist
cont I'm a much finer figure than l
was. See. Quite wasp waist, isn't
it?'
Well. 1 never said Charles. You
really are getting back your waist. /
wish could do the same. How have
you done 1t, sir?"
Hard work" said Jack, smiling.
early hours. and strict abstinence
"Lor'.' said Charles. and his broad
face now expressed the deepest SYM
patty and regret. II do hope. sir. you
don't go short, ever" and tho eyes of
poor old Charles became moist. and his
eyelids blinked. "slr. / couldn't hear
to think that a gentleman like you ever
went 'ungry or short OF his full al
lowance. -. Let me. sir. buy these at
a fair price. Do now. sir. Many's the
tip I've had from you-best gentle
man ever come across-and II isn't
money that makes the gentleman.
Do now. sir, let me pay fair
mo, no. Charles. But thanks all the
same. You always were a sportsman.
No. you misunderstood. only meant
abstaining on purpose. I'm dieting
myself-reform' ng myself-trying to
get into hard condition. That's all.
Then Charles, treasured. with the
dress suit IN a bundle under his ulster,
went home to the White Hart happy
Jack, and had been quite overcome by
the horrio thought OF his sufferings
from short commons.
On the bright and frosty morning of
Champagne Day itself, Jack received
supper invitation
II hope. SIR" said Crunden. you'll
make It convenient to sup with us to-
night-so that we can talk things over
quiet when all's done. Mr.. Bowling.
he can't join US; but l hope you will
if only to cheer us up bit. For. be-
tween sou and me-Masonic-my es-
pectations have dropped these last
few days-chiehy from something
Gr.ggs's clerk let fall and then tried
to take back"
What time Is supper sir::'
Eight o'clock-as usual"
.Thanks" said Jack. after a little
consideration; "I'll be there without
fail"
/. MARQUEE luncheon, Merry Girls :"
dinner Crunden supper-it would be a
full day for Jack.
The sale was not q success. When
Crunden saw the needy. seedy, greedy
Londoners that had been imported at
such vast expense. his expectations
was the only name for Griggs's ticket
holders. It is part Of a builders busi-I
ness to recognize. and avoid treaty
with. men of straw: from them come
the half of all blu lders' disasters. Old
tCrunden hated and abhorred men OF
straw, and he saw them now trooping.
up tho new road. IN dozens. Any re-
naming hope must be in the solld y,
OF guests invited by Bowling and Jack.
or collected by the profuse advertising.
In the London press.
The luncheon, however. was most
successful. Charles, the majod -domo;
Drake. the caterer. and Jack. the vine
steward and master OF ceremonies, all
played their parts we1. Jack partcu-
larry distingu shed himself by his
afrabilty, winning all hearts, making.
everybody feel Happy and sat home.
There were speeches and toastlnEs.
MI Douglas j. Griggs, at the top Of
one OF the tables gave rouslng ora
ton; Mr.. Crunden's health was drunk
standing; Mr.. Vincent's health was
drunk nformally-Without q speech
again and again.
The great sensation OF the day was
au1QOuulGOly Es6ibOaS1S' SA''N0i
payne It was truly dreadful stuff
like burning ice. like frozen hot puncll,
like sugar turned into gas---and IFS
froth was quite wonderful. 1t made
people sneeze. It loaned and fixed
ana bubhled; It sent It's corks nearly
through the canvas roof. It banged,
like gun, 1t gusl,ed like a fountain.
1t steamed like a geyser. Crundeni
tossed off very little OF it and then
drank tumblers OF soda water one nf
ter another. as fast as he could. but
the mon Of straw loved it, could not
have too much of 1T: "a glass OF vine
with you Mr. Vincent" Your health,
sir" "AD. Vincent look towards
YOU.
Then, at last, tables wero cleared.
trestles carried out; rostrum and LOFTY.
seat were set up; and Mr.. Douglas j..
lGriggs, hammer in hand. smiled down
upon the assembly, hut no lots went
off. The lots We're less lika cakes.