The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-07
FORTUNES
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laughed in his eagerness, in his a
ton from the hopelessness that had
marle's lengthy exposition. I've lived
on risks
The Duke eyed him gravely. And
T?"Nh asked.
"You?"
Il should be a party to that decep.
ton -"
For a long moment they faced each
other thus, Holes striving the while
to keep the despair from his face. Then
slowly the Colonel sank back into his
chair A moment he brooded. his eyes
upon the polished floor, then, with a
little sigh, a little shrug, a little up
ward throw of the hands, he reached
for the hat that lay on the floor beside
him.
I'm that cas- e" He paused to
swallow something that threatened to
mar the steadiness of his voice :" it
but remains for me to take my leave"
mo, no." The Duke leaned across
and set a restraining hand upon his
visitors arm. I'VE part not thus.
Randall"
Holes looked at him, still inwardly
struggling to keep his ~self-control. He
smiled a little. that sad irresistible
smile Of his. You. sir. are a man
overweighted with affairs: the burden
of a state at war is on your Shout
ders, / ="
None the. less you shall stay to
dine
ITO dine?" said Holes, wondering
where n when he should dine next,
for a disclosure OF the state of his at.
fairs must follow upon this failure to
improve them, and the luxury Of the
Paul's Head could be his no longer.
TO dine, as you were hidden, and
to renew acquaintance with her
grace Albemarle pushed back his
chair. and rose. "She will be glad to
see you, l know. Come, then. The
dinner hour is overpast already"
Slowly. still lhesitating. HOLES rose.
Yet in the end he yielded. nor had &C.
casion thereafter to regret it. Indeed.
at the outset her grace's welcome of
him warmed him.
The massive, gaudy. untidy woman
stared at him as he was led by AL
bemarle n her presence. Then, slap
ping her thighs to mark her amaze
ment, up she bounced, and came roll
ing toward him.
LAS Gods my life. it's Randall
Holles..' she exclaimed. And hosting
herself on tiptoe by a grip of his
shoulders she resoundingly kissed his
cheek before he guessed her purpose.
IT'S lucky fol- George he's brought
you to excus his ~lateness,'' she add
ed gTimly. Dinners been standing
this ten minutes, and cooling dc spoil
good meat. Come on. You shall tell
me at table what good fortune brings
you"
She linked aksarm through one of
his, and LED him< away to their frugal
board, which Mr.. Pepys-who loved
the good things of this world-has de
nounced as laden with dirty dishes
and had meat. 1t was certainly not
ducal, either in appurtenances or ser
vice. ButAthen neither was its host
ess. o could any human power
have made her so. TO the end she
Nan Charges, the farrier's daugh.
ter and the farrier's widow. the semp-
stress who had been Monks mistress
when he was a prisoner in he Tower
some twenty years ago, I'M whom
in an evil hour, as was generally be-
lieved-he had subsequently married.
to legitimiZe their children. She
counted few friends in the great
world in which her husband had his
being, whilst those she may have
counted in her former station had
long since passed beyond her ken.
Therefore did she treasure more
dearly the few-the very few-whom
she had honored with that name. And
of these was Randall HOLES. Because
of his deep regard for Monk, and be
of the easy good-nature that
vas his own, he had in the early days
Of Monks marriage shown "A proper
regard for Monks wife, treating with
the Difference due TO her married
station an unfortunate woman who
was smarting under the undisguised
contempt of the mojority of her hus-
bands friends and associates. She
had cherished that Difference and
courtesy Of Holes as only a woman
IN her situation could, and the mem
cry OF it was ineffaceably impressed
upon her mind.
She piled him with questions all
through her noisy feeding. until she
had drawn from his, not only the
condition Of his fortunes. but the rea-
son Of his return to England, the
hopes he had nourished, and her own
husbands wrecking of those hopes.
IT put her in a rage.
Gods lifeF' she roared at her ducal
lord and master. You would ha'
turned him put like a beggar from the
door? Him-Randall,"
His grace the dauntless, honest
George Monk. who all his life had
trodden so firmly the path of rectitude,
who feared no man, not even except
ing the King, whom he had made,
lowered his proud. grave eyes before
this termagant's angry glance.
You see, my love, according to nv
lights !" he was beginning I'M
easily.
Your lights quotha" she shrilled
in scoru. Mighty dim lights they be,
George, if you can't see to help A
friend by them"