The Irish standard., 1912-11-09
II thought I was wanted nere?"

NO longer"
"All right; I'm OF. I'll sail on the
Prince Ludwig. stateroom 11s. I'll
have my joke by the way.
"You will do nothing Of the kind.
You will have = stateroom by your
SELF" said Mrs. Chedsoye crisply.
And no wine. nor cards. II you fail.
Ill break you ."
"As We would q churchwarden's
pipe. Wallace, my lad" Ryanne grip
ped his companion by the shoulder,
and there was enough pressure in the
grip to cause the recipient to vince.
"Well. well: I'll lay a straight
course" Wallace Slid his shoulder
from under Ryanne's hand.
ITO you. then, Hoddy, the business
Of quarantining our friend Percival.
Don't hurt him: simply detain him.
You must realize the Importance Of
this. Have you your plans?"
I'll perfect them tomorrow. shall
md way. never fear"
Does the rug como in anywhere? ?"
The major was curious. It sometimes
seemed to him that Ryanne did not al.
ways lay his cards face up upon the
table.
1T will play its part. Besides, I
am rather inclined to the idea of tax.
ing 1t back. 1t may be the old wish.
ing-carpet. IN that case, it will come
In handy. Who knows?"
GLOW much is 1t WORTH"
"Ah. major, Percival himself could
not say exactly. He gave me thous-
and pounds for it."
"A thousand pounds!" murmured
Wallace.
The major struck his hands lightly
together. Whether In applause or
wonder he alone knew.
"And it was worth every shilling of
it. too. I'll tell you the story some
day. There are q dozen ways Of sup.
pressing Perciyal, but must have
something appealing to my artistic
side."
you have never told us your real
name, Horace" Mrs. Chedsoye bent
toward him.
He laughed. II must have some.
thing to confess to you in the future,
dear GiOcOnda.
well. the meeting adjourns, sine
die"
What are you going to do with
Fortune?" demanded Ryanne.
Send her back to Mentone."
what tho deuce did you bring her
here for, knowing what was in the
wind?"
"she expressed a desire to see
Cairo again." answered Mrs. Ched.
soye.
1--WE never deny her anything" The
major rose and yawned suggestively.
In the corridor, Ryanne whispered
softly: "Why not, Gioconda
"she shall never marry q man Of
your stamp" coldly.
Charming mother! How tenderly
you have cherished her!"
Horace" calmly enough, "is 1t wise
to anger me?"
1T may not be wise, but have
never seen you in q rage. You would
be magnificent"
Cease this foolery," patiently. II
am in no mood for It tonight. As an
associate in this equivocal business.
you do very WE'LL you are necessary
But do not presume too much upon
that. For all that may not have been
what a mother should be, I still have
some self-respect. SO long as 1 have
any power over her, Fortune shall
never marry a man so far down in
the social scale as yourself"
Social scale? Gioconda, how you
hurt mel" mockingly. II should real
ly like to know what your idea Of
that invincible barrier Is. Is 1t be.
cause my face Is In the. rogues' gal.
lery? Surely, you would not be
cruel!"
"she is far above US all, my friend"
continuing unruffled. Sometimes I
stand in absolute awe Of her"
"A marvel! II my recollection Is
not at fault, many man has entered
the Villa Fanny, with view to court
ship. men beside whom I am as
Roland to the lowest saracen. You
never objected to them"
"They had money and position"
Magic talisman! And II had
money and position?''
my objections would be no less
strong"
"Your code puzzles me. You would
welcome as a son-in-law a man who
stole openly the Widows mite. while /.
who harass none, but the predatory
rich, must dwell in the outland7 Rank
in1ustice!"
"You couldn't take care Of her"
Eyes, could. With but little effort
could make these two hands as hon.
est as the day Is long"
II have my doubts" smiling little.
Suppose. for the sake Of an argu-
ment suppose Fortune accepted me7"
Mrs. Chedsoye's good humor re-
turned She knew her daughter toler-
ably we'll; tho child had horror Of
men. Poor Horace! Do you build
upon that?"
LESS. perhaps, than upon my own