Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-07-22

went down. with the Ill fated Lord
Nelson
"Ah?" John Steele looked away "a
great mart. London. for fine editions"
he said absently after IA pause.
ut is. But here are those spoke
Of" And Sir Charles indicated q num-
Der Of volumes OIL large center table.
John Steele handled them thoughtful
ly. and for some time his host ran on
about them. A choice copy Of one of
the Elizabethan 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
"a little parcel like this?" he said at
length lightly.
True" Sir Charles eye caught the
title. las Portia says. 1T blessetl
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.
zenith century colored prints, and Sc
on?"
II 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 seen an
honest, hard fought battle perhaps?'
"A aattering designation. should
say. Of the spectacle OF two brutes dis.
figuring their already repulsive Wis
agesw
1.-Two brutes - dlsfiguring?" the
drawing voice Of Lord Ronsdale. who
had ut that moment stepped In. In
quired. May ask what the-talk Is
about
Sir Charles turned. "Steele was diff
fering from me about good. old hon.
est English sport-the ring. its tradi-
lions, its chronicles"
"Ah" The speaker looked Mt John
Steele. The latter was nonchalantly
regarding the pages Of book he yet
held.
For my part" went on Sir Charles
in u somewhat disappointed tone. Il
am one who views with regret the
decadence Of n great national pas
| time"
"Well. it's over" the light tones of
JOcelyn Wray interrupted. The girl
stood on the threshold. glancing gayly
from one 10 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 Il 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.. Steele?"
| Forgiven" he repeated. Lord
ROnsdale's eyes narrowed on them.
Confess" she continued. sinking to
the arm Of great chair. "you had
your misgivings''
He regarded the supple. slender fg.
ure SO airi.y poised. AS she bent for
| ward he noticed In her hair several
flowers shaped like primroses. but light
crimson in hue. What misgivings
was 1t possible to have?" he replied.
"Oh." she replied. the usual mas
culine ones-misgivings. for example
about stepping out Of the routine
routine that makes slaves Of men,
with an accent slightly mocking
And stepping into what? Society
the bugbear Of so many men! Poor
society! What filings 1t has to en-.
dure! BY the way. did your convict
get off?"
"Get off? WHAT
'The one you represented-ls that
tie word ?-when we were In court"
eyes. He was acquitted"
Il am glad. Somehow you made me
feel he was innocent"
II believed in him." said John Steele
"And yet the evidence was very
strong against him. IL some one else
had appeared for him Do you think
many innocent people have been
banged or sent out Of the country. Mr.
Steele!" Her eyes looked brighter. her
face more earnest now.
Evidence can play odd caprices."
"Stilk your average English jury.
man Is to be depended on." put In
Lord Ronsdale quickly.
do you think so:" An instant
Steele's eyes rested on the speaker
mo doubt you are right" \ sardonic
Hash seemed to play on the nobleman
AT all events you voice the accepted
belief"
I'm glad you defend. don't prose.
cute. people. Mr.. Steele" said the girl
irrelevantly
"A pleasanter task perhaps"
speaking Of sending prisoners out
OF the country" broke In Sir Charles
Il am not In favor Of the penal sys'
TEN myself"
Rather simple way Of getting rid
OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS has
always seemed to me-" dissented Lord
R0nsdale.
| Don't they sometimes escape and
come back to England?" asked the
girl. r.
mot apt to when death for return.
Ing stares them in the face" remarked
the nobleman.
death" The girl shivered slightly.
John Steele smiled. 1.-THE penalty
should certainly prove efiicacious," he
observed lightly.
rs not such penalty-fOr returning
mean-very severe. Mr.. SteeleT
asked JOcelyn Wray.
THAT" he laughed, depends some.
what OH the point of view, the crimi.
nars or society's." His gaze returned
to her. The bright bit of color in he.
hair again seemed to catch and hold
his glance.
Lord ROnsdale regarded both quick.
~. A frown crossed his face, and he
looked away to conceal the singularly
cold and vindictive CLEAN that sprang
to his eyes.
One evening about fortnight later
Lord ROnsdale In dissatisfied frama
Of mind strOlled along Piccadilly Hs