Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-10-30
CHAPTER XIX.
IN SUSPENSE,

CHAPTER XIX.
IN SUSPENSE.
W VII GRACE turned on Pike. His
voice trembed with suppress
ed rage.
"a ine guardian. you are"
he said witheringly. you came here
to protect her from something you
thought was rotten. Now we all know
it's rotten yon hand her overT
The lad paused. and then he laughed
bitterly.
"By Jove," he exclaimed of a sud
den. II shouldn't be surprised If you
consent to the settlement toop'
The lawyer looked at him gravely.
my son. l shouldn't be surprised If
did"
by the Lord, but you play queer
game. Mr.. Pike"
"Oh, I'm just crossing the Rubicon.
Your father used to say: If you're
going to cross the Rubicon, cross 1t.
Don't wade out to the middle and
stand there. You only get hill from
both banksr"
II beg your pardon" said voice
behind them. and they turned to find
Lady Creech- She went on, addressing
Horace:
mr.. Granger-simpson. have you
seen my nephewP'
mo I've rather avoided that, If
you don't mind my saying So" Horace
replied.
"Pm sorry, Lady Creech," he went
on, ''but I've had a most awful shak
ing up. and I'm thinking of going back
home with Mr.. Pike. l think he's
about right In his ideas. You know
we abused him, not only for himself
but for his vulgar friend, yet his vul-
gar friend turned out to be a grand
duke, and look at what our friends
turned out to ber'
He stepped quickly to the entrance
and disappeared into the hotel. Al.
meric's voice was heard as Lady
Creech turned to go. and Pike smiled
Here he comes now. bending under
the blow" he said.
Almeric appeared with white bull
pup. which he handed over to Mariana
with the remark:
Wash him bit, old chap; tepid
water. you know, and a drop of milk
afterward = nothing but milk, you
AS Mariana disappeared with the
dog at arms length Lady Creech said
solemnly:
"Almeric. really there are more i'm
portant things, you know"
''Rotp' replied the young man. 81
almost missed him. But I think I'm
to be congratulated. you know. Eh?"
"I think you are. my son." said Pike
quietly. II have given my consent"
"Rippin'w declared Almeric. And
Lady Creech started forward.
"And the settlement she asked
Pike nodded.
1.-THE settlement also-evePythingT'
Ethel came from the side of the ter
race, followed by Horace. who seemed
to be arguing with her
"Of course l never worried. you
know" said Almeric But fancy It
will be weight Off the poor govern
or's mind. I'll wire him at Naples. for
he'll be glad to know about that bally
convict .chap-the arrangement you
made with him. you know"
"Almeric. | think it's noble to be
brave in trouble. but Ethel began,
and Pike smiled behind his hand AL
meric looked at her In establishment
II say. you know. you've really got
meI'
~ mean that | admire you for your
pluck. for your seeming unconcern
under disgrace, butt"
"Disgraced! Why, who's disgraced?
Not even the governor, as see it!
You got that chap called off. didn't
your"
Whom do you mean" she asked
wonderment In her voice.
"Why. that convict chap. Didn't
you send him away7 You bought him
Off so he wouldn't talk, didn't you
gave him money not to bother us?"
She whirled on him like storm.
"Why. heaven pity you'll Do you
think that?" she cried.
Almeric was taken aback.
ooh what! He wouldn't agree?
Oh. I say. that will he a pill for the
governor-he'll be worried. you known
Ethel went close to him.
Don't you see that you've got to
worry little about yourself; that
you've got to begin to do something
worthy that will obliterate this
shame To work-to work.
what possible need will there be
for that? Why, there's the settle
n.ent'-
"Settlemeutv cried Ethel. aghast
you talk of settlement nowP
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