The Marshall republican., 1909-03-05

W. phSoShN ouibtlNCb
boldly at the door Of the box.
This I received with horror, fear
ing both Sir Peter and Lady Hawk.
shaw. Indeed, I had not been able to
shake on this fear OF my great-uncie
.hnd aunt for a moment.
Ones first night at the play is usual
ly a magic dream. but mine was tenn.
pered with the dread OF being caught
on the spot, Of being delayed In our
return to Portsmouth, and the torment
OF seeing the adored of my heart
quite absorbed in another man.
When the play was over, we sat still
until the Hawkshaw party had passed
out, and then, more for the sake OF
bravado, ! think. than inclination,
Giles ran pell-mell to the stage door,
where he made one OF a mob OF gen.
tlemen to see the divine Sylvia to her
chair. And, to my alarm, as soon as
the lady was within and the curtain
drawn, he tipped the wink to one OF
the chairmen. who silently gave up his
place, and Giles, taking up the pole,
trudged on, assisting to carry his port
ly mistress. There was nothing for
me to do but TO walk along beside him
amid the rattle and roar OF coaches,
n shouting OF the hackney coach.
men, the pushing and jostling Of
chairmen and linkboys, and all the
confusion that attends the emptying OF
q London playhouse. Mrs. Trench.
ards door was not far away, and when
h was put down, and Giles sneaked
on. | observed the handsome Capt.
Overton standing at the turn OF the
street laughing at him. Giles, who
was so timid In his love, was bold
enough In his wrath, and stepping up
10 Overton said coolly:
Sir, I perceive you are smiling.
Who Is the harlequin that amuses you,
may I ask"
you, sir" promptly answered Over.
ton.
You are too good" responded Giles,
"and l have before pinked my man
In beauty's quarrel,"-and then he
slapped Overton In the mouth. The
next thing l knew their two swords
were flashing In the moonlight. I
stood paralyzed with fear. Not SO q
couple OF burly watchmen, who, run
ming forward, clutched the offenders
and dragged them apart
But the two late enemies, making
common cause against the watchmen,
fought them of; and when the watch
desisted from the fight to spring
their rattles for assistance, both Giles
and the officer ran down a dark alley,
followed by me as fast as my short
legs would carry me, and soon all
three OF us were huddled together in
the porch Of a church, some distance
from the scene of the fracas.
Neatly DONE" remarked Overton
with Il smile, to Giles. 81 should have
been in that brawny fellows clutches
now, but for the clip owe the head you
him."
You did your share, sir," politely
Giles.
But time presses and our affairs
must be settled" said Overton; here
is my card. 1t is too dark to read It,
but I am Capt. Philip Overton, OF the
Second Life Guards"
And l." replied Giles, "am Midship-
man Giles Vernon Of the Ajax, ship
Of the line, now at Portsmouth"
BY the dim light of a lantern in
the church porch saw the expression
establishment upon Overton's face.
Then" he stammered, I'VE are re-
YES" replied Giles, smiling, land
II you pierce me through with sword
or pistol, II will be worth one Of the
finest estates in the kingdom to you.
provided always that old villain, Sir
Vernon, does not marry and
have children in spite of u.s."
overton reflected, half laughing and
half frowning.
Anything else, there could be an ac-
for. 1t was most un-
Yes, as it turns out" responded
Giles; but the question is. now, when
and whore a we meet?"
Just then the great bell of st.
tolled out the half before mid
anu ~ WIN Hcu utcIi an dlHlObJ
nnobserved listener, spoke out of the
.iullness of my heart.
"Giles," said /, "the coach leaves at
IL, II we do not get to Portsmouth in
time, we are deserters. Let Capt.
Overton write to you and fight after
Out of the mouths Of babes and
sucklings comes wisdom" replied
overton, smiling; and SO in two min
utes 1t was settled, Overton agreeing
10 come to Portsmouth to fight, II
Giles could not get leave to meet him
halfway between Portsmouth and
London. We then bade him good.by.
and ran OF as fast as our legs could
carry US. and barely made the coach.
We travelled all night. Giles sleep
Ing soundiy and snoring very loud. In
one corner, felt great uneasiness
about the coming meeting between
him and overton. although I believed
there was no, hostile feeling between
.i.eln. Elt When Two men face eaIa
'ther, with arms IN Their hands. there