Evening star., 1912-09-11
CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.

had no appreciation of the sancuty OF q
promise She looked upon an engagement
to marry in the same light as an engage
ment to walk, or dine-namely. as being
subject to the weather. or to a prior oo'
legation Of the same sort. Bernie was
too much q gentleman to urge her into
any step for which she was not ready
SO he merely 81 i-hed when he saw his
plans go astray. albeit confessing to mo-
ments Of dismay as he foresaw himself
growing old in the secondhand business
But a change had occurred lately, ant
although no word had passed petWeer
brother and sister, the melancholy little
bachelor had been highly gratified at Ger
tain indications he had marked. 1t seem
ed to him that her choice, provided sht
really had chosen, was excellent; io'
Norvfn Blake was certainly very young
to be the president OF the COTTON eA
change. he was free from any social en-
and he was r1ch. moreover
his name had as many honorable assocla
tions as even Bernie'S own. All In all
therefore. the little man was in an agree
able frame of mind today as he stroiiee
up Canal street, nodding here ana tneIe
to his acquaintances. and turned lhte
Blake's office.
He entered without announcing him
self and Norvin greeted him corolaily
Rernie seldom announced himself, being
one OF those rare persons who come anc
20 unobtrusively, and who interrupt I'M
portant conversations without of1ense.
do / find you busy?" he inquired
dropping into one Of Blake's easy cnairs
and lighting perfumed cigarette.
I'm glad to see you at any time; you re
so refreshingly reStful.
How are the new duties and RESPONSE
bilities coming on?"
"oh. very well." said Blake, although
I am absurdly self-conscious."
told. I think YOU are a happy cnolce
Jove! you have made strides. Let me see
you are thirty
Two. This makes me look Older thar
I am" Norvin touched his hair, which
was gray, and Bernie nodded.
denly. ! remember seeing you five years
ago at the Lexington races, just a1tei
YOU returned from Europe the secono
time You were dark then. l saw yot
a year later and you were gray Did tne
wing Of sorrow brush your brow?" :.
Blake shrugged. They say 1ear VII
turn men gray"
Dreux laughed lightly. Fancy! Yol
afraid"
And why not? Have you never beer
afraid?'
II? To be sure. But-my dear boy
you can't understand. We were talking
a bout you the other night at the Bostor
Club after your election, and Thompson
told about that affair you had with those
niReers up the state, when you were
sheriff. It was quite thrilling to heal
him tell 1t"
'.Indeed?'
"Oh, yes! He made you out a great
hero. 1 never knew why you went In fol
politics. or at least, why, If you went In
at all, you didn't try for something worth
while You could have gone to the legis-
Iature Just as easily. But for a Blake tc
when we heard OF it, and | don't under
stand it yet. We pictured you looking
up drunken men. serving subpoenas and
selling widows farms over their heads. :
There's really more to sherin's du'
ties than that"
$50 I judged from Thompsons blood
curdling tales"
.'It doesn't hurt a gentleman to hcii q
minor political office. even In a tough
parish"
''It isn't your lack Of exclusiveness that
strikes one; it's your nerve"
..Oh. that's mostly imaginary. 1 haven't
much, really"
''If you hadn't made a reputation fol
yourself this sort of modesty would con-
vict you of cowardice,' Dreux exclaimed
"It sounds very funny coming from you
and I think you are posing. Now. with
me It is wholly different. 1 couldn't stand
what you have; why, the sight OF dead
man would unsettle me for months, and
as for risking my life. or attempting the
life of a fellow-creature- Well. l-id
just turn tail" -
"How do you know you are coward? !?
"Oh, any little thing upsets me.
"Your people were brave enough.
'Of course but conditions were differ
ent in those days. were more advanced
now. There's nothing refined about swing
ing sabers around your head like wind
mill and chopping off Yankee arms and
legs: nor is there anything especially
artistic in two gentlemen meeting at dawn
under the oaks with shotguns loaded with
scrap IRON Mr.. Dreux shuddered. I'm
glad the war is over and
duels are out Of fashion"
well, be thankful that antiques are
not out of fashion. There is still profit
in them, 1 suppose"
Dreux shook his head mournfully. Not
in the good stuff. / just sold the origina
sword Of Jean LATTE to man who
makes preserved tomatoes. 1t is the
eighth in three weeks. The business in
Lafitte sabers is very fair lately. Gen
jackson belt buckles are moving we'll
too, not to mention plug hats worn by
Jefferson Davis at his Inauguration
There was q fabulous hardwood king al
the st. Charles whom l infiamed with
the beauties of marguerite du bois. II
was all modern, of course. made in Bal
timore. but / found him genuine Sinu-
rette four-poster which was very fine.
also discovered a royal Sevyes vase fol-
him, worth a small fortune, but he pre-
ferred a bath sponge used by Louis XIV
/ assured him the sponge was genuine, sc
he bought a Buhl cabinet to put it in.
took the vase for Myra Nell
do you think Myra Nell would care
to be queen of the carnival?' Norvin in
quired.
Carer" Bernie started forward in his
chair, his eyes opened wide. You're
II mean what say. She can be queen
IL she wishes"
Dreux shook his head reluctantly.
Frankly, she can't afford It," He flush
ed under Blake's gaze.
''I'm sorry, Bernie. I've been told to
ask her.
II am very much obliged to You for the
honor, but-Lordi It Is disgusting to be
poor' He prodded viciously with his
cane.
queen The chance may not come again. "
Dreux made creditable effort to con-
ceal his disappointment. but he was
really beside himself with thagrln. You
needn't tell me-" he said. but there is
no use Of my even dreaming Of It; I've
figured over the expense too often. She
was Queen of Momus last year-that' 8
why I've had to vouch for SO many La
fitte swords and Davis high hats. If
those tourists ever compare notes they'll
think that old pirate must have been a
centipede or a devilfish to WELD all those
weapons"
'.I would like to have her accept"
Bernie Dreux glanced at the speaker
quickly. feeling a warm glow suffuse his
withered body at the hint of encourage
ment for his private hopes.
I'm view of the circumstances" urged
Blake, land considering all 1t means to
Myra Nell, 1 would think it a privilege
10 lend You whatever you require. She