The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-27

back proffered purse, his foolish
pride i'll arms.
But His Grace OF Buckingham was
of a different temper from His Grace
of AIbemarle. He was as prodigal
and lavish as the other was parsi-
monious, and he was not of those who
will take a refusal.
He smiled a little at the Colonels
protestations, and passed to a tactful,
ingratiating insistence with all the
charm of which he could be master
'I honor you for your refusal, but
=" He continued to hold out the
purse. See. 1t is not a Aft I offer
you, but an advance, a triffing loan,
which you shall repay me presently
when I shall have made it easy for
you to do so. Come, sir, there is that
between us which is not to be repaid
in gold Your refusal would offend
me-"
And Holes, be 1t confessed. was
glad enough to have the path thus
smoothed for his self-respect.
"As loan, then, since you are so
graciously insistent -
why, what else do you conceive
I had in mind?" His grace dropped
the heavy purse into the hand that
was at last held out to receive it, and
rose. You shall hear from me again,
Colonel, and as soon as may be. Let
me but know where you are lodged. !"
n Holes considered a second. He was
leaving the Paul's Head, and it had
teen his announced intention to
remove himself to the Bird in Hand,
a humble hosiery where lodgings
were cheap. But he loved good food
and wine as he loved good raiment,
and he would never lodge in so vile
a house save under The harsh com
pulsion Of necessity. Now, with this
sudden accession of fortune, master
of this heavy purse and assured of
moro to. follow soon. that obnoxious
necessity was removed. He Dethought
him Of, and decided upon, another
house famous for its good cheer.
Your grace will find me at The
Harp in Wood St." he announced.
There look to hear from me, and
very soon"
They left the tavern together, and
the Duke went eff to lis coach. which
had been brought thither for him, his
French lackeys trotting beside it,
whilst Colonel Holes, with his head
in the clouds ard a greater swaggeR
than ever in his port to emphasize
The shabby condition of his person.
rolled along toward Paurs Yard, fin
gering the jewel in lis ear, which
10
although there was no longer the
need to retain it. since it had finlflled,
at last, after long years, Destfny's
purpose with himself.
Thus in high good-humor he strut
ted into the Paurs Head to plunge
into a deplorable scene with Mrs.
Quinn.
you haven't sold it, she shrilled
as he stepped into the back parlor
where she was at the moment stir
ring and she pointed to the earring,
which slowed like an ember under
veil of his brown hair. You've
changed your mind. You think to
come whimpering here again, that
you may save the trinket at my cost"
And then the devil whispered an
unfortunate thought, and so begat
in her a sudden furious jealousy.
Before he could answer her, before
ne could recover from the gaping
amazement in which he stood to re-
Give the onslaught of her wrath. she
was sweeping on: Il understand"
She leared~ an instant evilly. ITS
love-token, Ell? The gift of some
rat Flemish burgomaster's dame, be-
like, whom We no doubt cozened as
We would have coZened me. That's
Why We can't part with it-not even
TO pay the money you owe for bed
and board for the food we've guzzled
and wine ye swilled, We good-for-
nothing out-at-elbow jackanapes. But
we've had your warning, and since
We don't heed it ven take the -
Hold your peace, woman" he in
terrupted, laundering, and silenced
her by his sudden show of passion.
Forth from his pocket he lugged the
heavy ducal purse, slid back the gold
rings that bound it and brought the
broad yellow piecesc into view at its
gaping mouth.
What is the total of this score of
yours?" he asked contemptuiusly. in
the remnants of his anger. Name
it, take your money, and give me
Leace"
But she was no longer thinking OF
her score. She was stricken with
amazement at the sight CT the purse
he held, and the gold with which it
bulged. Round-eyed she stared at it,
and then at him. And then, because
she could not conjecture the source of
this sudden wealth, she must assume
the worst, with the readiness to which
such minds as hers are prone The
suspicion narrowed her blue eyes; it
settled into conviction, and fetched
an unpleasant curl to the lips of her
broad mouth.
'And how come you by this gold?"
she asked him, sinisterly quiet.
rs that your affair, ma'am?"
"I thought you was above purse
cutting" she said. nightly disdsin-
full. But it seems I was as deceived
in you there as in other ways" y
That, as you realize, was but the
beginning of a scene- which I have
no mind to give you all the details.
Her voice shrilled up like an oyster
woman's, drawing the attention of
the few who occupied the common
room, and fetching Tim the drawer
liz alarm to the door of the little
parlor.
And for all his anger, Colonel
HOLES began to be vaguely alarmed,