The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-05-28

Steele. The latter was none halantly
regarding the pages of i book he yet
held.
For my part" went Oh Sir Charles
in a somewhat disappointed tone, i
am one who views with regret the
decadence Of Il great national pas
time"
"Well, it's over" the light tones of
Jocelyn N'ray interrupted The girl
stood on the Threshold. &lancing gayly
from one to the other Did you tell
my uncle. Nj Steele. what you
thought of his rur>ll&~ see, While
on his favorite SUBJ, t. h has forgot
ten to offer yoII ci-lr.''
Sir Charles Mastered to repair his
remissness.
But how" she went on. did it go
the program. l mean: Have you for,
given me yet fer asking; you to come,
Mr.. Steele:'
"Forgiven?' he re''eatcd. Lord
Ronsdale's eyes narrowed on them.
Confess" she continued. sinking t.
the arm of u great chair. YOU had
your miSgivings."
He regarded the supple. slender fig
ure SO airi,y poised. -ls she bent for
ward he noticed ia her hair several
flowers shaped like lrimrcses. hut light
crimson in hue What misgivings
was it possible to have:' he replied.
"Oh," she replied. the usual mas
culine ones-misgivincS 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 it has to en-
dure! By the way, did your convict
get OFF,
"Get off? What
''The one you represented-is that
the word?-when we were in court"
"Yes. He was acquitted"
81 am glad. Somehow you made me
feel he was innocent"
T believed IN him." said John Steele.
sas'sAa1 sct shs cFsdessee tvsts vsSf.y
strong against him. If some one else
many innocent people have been
hanged or sent out of the country, Mr..
Steele?" Her eyes looked brighter, her
face more earnest now.
Evidence can play odd caprices.T
''Still, 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" A sardonic
flash seemed to play on the nobleman.
"At all events you voice the accepted
belief"
"Tm 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-
tenn myself"
Rather a simple way of getting rid
Of undesirables-trans ansportation-it has
always seemed to me-" disSented Lord
Ronsdale.
Don't they sometimes escape and
come back to England?" asked the
girl.
''Not apt to when death for return
he nobleman.
"Deathv' The girl shivered slightly.
John Steele smiled. "The penalty
should certainly prove ef1icacious," he
observed lightly.
'Is not such penalty-for returning,
mean-very severe, Mr. Steele?
asked Jocelyn Wray.
THAT" he laughed, depends some
what Oh the point of view, the crimi-
1aIs or society's." His gaze returned
TO her. The bright bit of color in her
hair again seemed to catch and hold
lis glance.
Lord Ronsdale regarded both quick
y. A frown crossed his face, and he
ooked away to conceal the singularly
cold and vindictive CLEAN that sprang
70 his eyes.
One evening about a fortnight later
Lord Ronsdale in a dissatisfied frame
If mind strolled along Piccadiliy. He
lad begun to flatter himself that the
1owery way to all he desired lay be-
fore him and that he had but to tread
t when another, as the soothsayers
put it, had crossed his path.
A plain man, man without title!
Lord Ronsdale told himself Miss Joce-
yn Wray was no better than an ar
amt coquette, but the next moment
Questioned this conclusion. Had she
lot really been little taken by the
fellow? Certainly she seemed not
lverse to his company. When she
Hilled, and she willed often, she sum-
noned him to her side. Nor did lie
low appear reluctant to come at her
bidding Self assertiye though he had
shown himself to be, he obeyed. sans
lemur, the wave of my lady's little
land. Was it q certain larSenesS and
'eserve about him that had awakened
ler curiosity? From her high social
position had she wished merely 10 test