Evening star., 1924-04-08

/@IEN drink it thus" cried
the rash young fool. and
splashed the contents of
his cup full into the face of
Nr. Wilding even as that gentleman,
on ms feet. was proposing to drink
10 The eyes of the young fools sister.
The moments that followed were
full of interest. A stiffness, a brood
ing, expectant stiffness, fell upon the
company-and it numbered a round
dozen-about Lord Gervase's richly
appointed board. In the soft candle
light the oval table Shone like a deep
brown pool, in which were reflected
the cleaning silver and sparkling
crystal that seemed to float upon it.
Blake sucked in his neither lip, his
horid face a thought less fiorid than
It's wont, his prominent blue eyes a
thought more prominent. Under it's
golden periwig old Nick Trenchards s
wizened countenance was darkened
by scowl, and his fingers, long,
sWarthy and gnarled, drummed fret
fully upon the table. Portly Lord
Gtrvase Scoresby-their host, a be-
nign and placid man of peace, detest-
ing urbulence-turned crimson now
IN Wordless rage. The others gaped
cott. some at the man he had SO
grossly afronted-whilst in the shad-
oWS of the hall a couple of lackeys
looked on amazed, all teeth and eyes.
Mr.. Wilding stood, very still and
outward1y impassive, the wine trick
ling from his long face, which, if
pale, was no paler than its habit. a
veStige of the smile with which he
had proposed the toast still lingering
on his thin lips, though departed from
MS eyes. An elegant gentleman was
Mr.. Wilding, tall, and seeming even
taller by virtue of his exceeding slen-
derness. He had the courage to wear
his own hair, which was of a dark
brown and very luxuriant; dark
brown, too, Were his somber eyes,
1ow-lidded and set at a downward
slant From those odd eyes of his
his countenance gathered an air of
superciliousness tempered by gentle
melancholy. For the rest, it was
scored by lines that stamped it with
the appearance of an age in excess
of his thirty years.
Thirty guineas' worth of Mechlin
at his throat was drenched, empur-
pied. and ruined beyond redemption.
and on the breast of his blue satin
coat a dark patch was spreading like
Il stain of blood
Richard Westma colt, short, sturdy
and air-complexioned to the point of
insipfdity, watched him sullenly out
of pale eyes, and waited. 1t was Lord
Gervase who broke at last the silence
broke it with an oath, thing un-
usual in one whose nature was almost
woman mild.
LAS Gods my life" he spluttered
wrathfully, glowering at Richard.
"To have this happen in my house!
The young fool shall make Apology"
With his dying breath" sneered
Trenchard, and the old rakeS words
his tone and the ma1evolent look he
bent upon the boy increased the COM
pany's malaise.
II think" said Mr.. wilding, with a
most singular and excessive sweet
hess, that what Mr.. Westmacott has
done he has done because ne appre-
bended me amiSs.
no doubt he'll say So" opined
Hrenchard with a shrug, and had eau
tion dug into his ribs by BIake's
elbow, whilst Richard made haste to
prove him wrong by saying the con-
frary.
II apprehended you exactly, sir" he
answered, defiance in his voice and
wine-flushed face.
ria" cIucked Trenchard irrepress-
ible. Hes bent on self-destruction.
Let him have his way, in Gods name"
But Wilding seemed intent upon
showing how long-suffering he could
be He gently shook his head. Nay,
now" said he. You thought, Mr..
westmacott, that in mentioning your
sister, did so lightly. Is it not SOP
You mentioped her, and that is all
that matters" cried Westmacott. I'll
not have her name on your lips at
any time or in any place-no. nor in
any manner. his SpeeCu WAS tuiCh
from too much wine.
You are drunk" cried indignant
Lord Gervase with f1nality.
"Pot-valiant," Trenchard elaborated.
Mr.. Wilding set down at last the
glass, which he had continued to hold
until that moment. He rested his
hands upon the table, knuckles down
ward, and leaning forward he spoke
impressively, his face very grave; and
those present-knowing him as they
did--were one and all lost in wonder
at his unusual patience.
MIR. Westmacott," said he, II do
think you are wrong to persist in
affronting me. " ou have done thing
that is beyond forgiveness, and yet,
when l. offer you this -opportunity,of
honorablyi retrieying--- He shrug-
;yad his shoulders, leaving the SEN
trsrce incomplete.
The company might have spared its