The Ordway new era., 1909-05-07


Loose" Behind them marched, with
the deepest gravity, n couple OF ma
rines. bearing aloft on their muskets
glittering shimmering thing that
duttered Whitley in the air. II was
Lady Arabella's satin petticoat: and,
hating before the door, the drummer,
with great flourish, pounded the
kuocker. On the porter's responding.
he two marines handed the petticoat
In with ceremony TO him, directing
him to convey II to the Lady Arabella
Stormont, with the compliments OF
Lieut.. Giles Vernon OF his SIajesty's
service. This the man did. and was
almost torn to pieces by her for doing
so. though in what way he had Of
Tended know not TO this day. II was
n tritling thing. and made laughter for
us all (lncludlng Lady Hawkshaw). eS-
cept Arahella. She seemed to hate
Giles with more virulent hatred after
that. and tried very hard to induce
Lady, Hawkshaw TO forbid him the
house, which, however. Lady Hawk
shaw refused TO do.
Neither Giles nor had by any
meet Capt. Overton on the field OF
honor; and as the time approached for
the meeting. Giles sent n very civil
note to Overton, asking him to name
a gentleman who would see me to ar
range the preliminaries. for l would
never have forgiven Giles had he
chosen any one else. Overton re-
sponded. naming our old first lieuten-
ant. Mr.. Buxton. who happened 10 be
In London then. and was an &C
quaintance OF his. | believe Overton's
object in asking Mr.. Buxton to act for
him was the hope that the affair might
be arranged; for from what l had
heard OF the deeply religious turn
Overton had taken. concluded the
meeting was somewhat against his
conscience. But the !ndigaity OF
blow in the face to an officer could not
be easily wiped out without an ex-
change OF shots. My principal was
much disguised when Mr.. Buxton was
named.
Il know how II will be. Dicky." he
Srowled. You will sit like a great
caby. with your mouth open, imagin-
nit OF the Ajax. Mr.. Buxton will talk
20 you in his quarterback voice. and
you will be so frightened that you
will agree to use birdshot At 30 PAGES,
provided Mr.. Buxton proposes IT,"
This l Indignantly denied. and swors
| would meet Mr.. Buxton as man 10
man Nevertheless. when We we're
sitting at the table in Mr.. Buxton's
lodgings. did very much as Giles had
predicted. l forgot several things that
| had wished to say. and said several
things wished ! had forgotten. Mr..
Buxton did not let me forget. however.
that he had been my first lieutenant.
and ! was but a midshipman. He
called my principal hot.headed jack.
anapes before my very face, adding.
anErily:
But for him l should have been
first on the Indomptahle's deck" To
all this ! made but feeble protest:
and finally It was arranged that the
meeting should take place at 4 spot
very near Richmond. at eight o'clock.
on the morning OF June 90.
When the date was set. and the 81
ranEements made. began TO feel
very much frightened. Not so Giles.
There was to be a great ball at Al
mack's on the night Of the 2sth and
Giles announced that he was going.
Il was a very special occasion for him.
because the TTenchard, whom he still
called the divine Sylvia, and pTofessed
70 admire as much as ever. was to so
that night. She was then the rage.
and had 4 carriage. diamonds. and a
hne establishment. yet l believe her
conduct to have been irreproachable.
She had long been consumed with a
desire to go 10 Almack's. but up to
that time no actress had ever yet en-
toyed the privilege. Il seemed gro-
fesque enough that 4 young mid ship
man, OF no more consequence than
Giles Vernon. should succeed In carry.
Ing this through. But such was actual.
ly the case: and Giles accomplished Il
by that singular power he possessed.
by which no woman could say him
nay. He worked with much art upon
those great ladies. her grace o, Au.
chester and Lady Coayngham. and got
them pledged TO IT. OF course. the
most violent opposition was devel.
oped: but Giles. who had a perfect
knowledge OF the feminine heart. man
aged to inspire these two ladies with
the wish to exercise their sovereignty
over Almack's by doing what was
never done before. Having led them
into the fight. they had no thought Of
running away; and the result was in.
Vulnerable heartburlInEs and Jealous.
les. and meanwhile a card for Mrs.
Trsnchard.
ITO RE COSTrST-rDN