Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-05-13
Continued from page 3

-
You have a superb collection Of
books" he observed. with a sudden
quick look at his host.
Eyes. l rather pride myself on my
library" said Sir Charles complacent-
ly. Lost a good many of the choicest,
though" he went on in ~regretful
tones, "some years ago al l was re-
turning TO Australia. A rare lot Of
law books, a library in themselves, as
well as a large collection Of the clas-
sizes, the worlds poets and historians,
went down with the Ill fated Lord
Nelson"
"Ah?" John Steele looked away. "a
great mart, London, for fine editions"
he said absently after a pause.
at Is. But here are those I spoke
Of" And Sir Charles indicated a num-
Der OF volumes on a large center table.
John Steele handled them thoughtful-
ly, and for some time his host ran on
about them. A choice copy Of n of
the E~lizabethan poets, intruding itself
in that august company. then attracted
Steele's attention. He picked 1t up.
weighed and caressed it with gentle
fingers.
"Who shall measure the influence of
IA little parcel like this?" he said at
length lightly.
sTrue." Sir Charles eye caught the
title. "As Portia says, Tt blesseth
him that gives and him that takes
Excellent bit Of binding too. But"
with new zest, take any interest in
rare books Of the ring, full OF eight
eenth century oolored prints, and 80
on?'
IT can't say at present that the do
ings of the ring or the history of pugil-
lists attract me-"
"That's because you've never seer an
honest, hard fought battle perhaps?"
"a %fiattering designation, I should
say, of the spectacle Of two brutes dis
figuring their already repulsive Wis
ages"
Two brutes : disfguring" the
drawing voice of Lord Ronsdale, who
had at that moment stepped in, in
auirel. May 1 ask "a tAe~-taalqlkk Is
about?"
Sir Charles turned. "Steele was diff
fering from me about a good, old hon
est English sport-the ring. Its tradi-
lions, its chronicles"
"Ah!" The speaker looked at John
Steele. The latter was nonchalantly
regarding the pages of a book he yet
held.
"For my part" went on Sir Charles
in a somewhat disappointed tone, II
am one who views with regret the
decadence Of a great national pas
time"
"Well it's overt" the light tones of
Jocelyn Wray interrupted. The girl
stood on the threshold. glancing gayly
from one to the other. did you tell
my uncle, Mr.. Steele. what you
thought of his purchase? l see. while
ON his favorite subject, he has forgot
ten to offer you a cigar"
Sir Charles FASTENED to repair his
remissness.
"But how" she went on. 'did 1t go
the program, | mean? Have you for
given me yet for asking you to come,
Mr.. SteeleT"
"ForgivenT' he repeated. Lord
Ronsdale's eyes narrowed OF them.
Confess she continued, sinking to
your misgivings."
He regarded the supple. slender fig
ure so airily poised. AS she bent for
ward he noticed in her hair several
flowers shaped like primroses. but light
crimson in hue. what misgivings
was it possible to have?" he replied.
'Oh,' she replied, "the usual mas
culine ones-misgiyings, for example,
about stepping out of the routine,
routine that makes slaves Of men,"
with an accent slightly hooking.
"And stepping into what? Society
the bugbear of so many men! Poor
society! What filings it has to en-
dure! BY the way. did your convict
set off,"
"Get off? What
"The one you represented-is that
the wcrd?-when we were in court"
Eyes. lie was acquitted"
81 am glad. Somehow you made me
feel he was innocent"
az believed In him." said John Steele.
"And yet the evidence was very
strong against him. If some one else
had appeared for him Do you think
many innocent people have been
hanged or sent out of the country, Mr..
Eteele?" Her eyes looked brighter. her
face more earnest now.
Evidence a play odd caprices.'
"Still, your average English jury
man is to be depended on" put i
Lord Ronsdale quickly.
do you think so?" An instant
Steele's eyes rested on the speaker.
s'No doubt you are right" A sardonic
fash seemed to play on the nobleman.
"At all events you voice the accepted
belief"