Evening Star Newspaper, April 14, 1924, Page 22

Mistress Wilding By Rafael Sabatini Author of “Scarameuche,” “Captain Blood,” etc. Copyright. 1824, by Houghtin Mifila Company e S e T T (Continued from Yesterday's Star.) “You shall be enlightened if you will do as I request,” Wilding insist- #d, and Vallancey, with a lift of the brows, a snort, and a shrug, turned ay to compl “Do you mean,” quoth Trenchard, rsting with indignation, “that you 11_let live a man who has struck Wilding took his friend affection- ately by 'm is a whim of mine,” said he. “Do you think. Niek, 2 lu is more than I can afford to e “I say not r; “but 1 thought vou'd not.” said Mr. interrupting. “And if any . I shall be glad to prove him that. he lies, He Trenchard, exed as forced to laugh Nick set himself to urege the thing that last night had plagued his mind; that this Richard might prove a danger to the cause: that in the duke's Interest, if -not to safeguard his 6wn person - from some vindictive hetrayal, Wilding would be better advised in-imposing & reliable silence upon him, But why vindictive?' Mr. Wilding remonstrated. “Rather must he have eause for gratitude.” Mr. Trenchard laughed short and gontemptuously. “There is.” said he, Mo rancor more bitter than that of the mean man who has offended you and whom vou have spared. 1 beg You'll ponder it” He lowered his Joice as he ended his admonition, for Vallancey and Westmacott were coming ‘up, followed by Sir Yand Blake. Richard, although his courage had Been sinking lower und lower in a measure as he had grown more and more sober with the approach of the moment for engaging, came forward Dow with a firm step and an arro- gant mien; for Vallancey had given B more than a hint of what w His heart. bhad leapt, 3 the deli promised him, but e reflection of how Wwas the ready an- urately last night he had gauged what Mr. Wilding would endure. It had dis- ma him then, that this man who, stomach any affron eonsideration for his have ended by calling h He concluded now th 2 thought, must from him out of or, 1 to tecount. upon refle tion Wilding had seen his error, and | was prepared to make amend Re might extricate himself fr impossible ituation, and Richard Blamed himself for baving overlooked this inevitable solution and g an ey and Biake, watc sudden metaniorphosis that ed him for the him— that things were as they w “Mr. Westmacotl" sa qQuietly eves stead! Richard's own arrogant g smiling a little, “I am here Seht, but to apologize. Richara eor was audible to all OF, he was gathering courage fast now that there no longer was the need for it possible only to a fool. ou can take a blow, Mr. i1d- id he offensivel. that is your flair.” his frie pe at y and trembled for him, Z what grounds he had ting himsel{ unassailable. u. =0, sald Mr. Wilding, meck and humble as a nun, and Trenchard, who- had expocted some- thing very different from him circumstance of ntinued Mr. ow And his sorry for it. I quarrel is of my wa. provoking; that it unwarrantable in me to intro Row- | not | | as we have seen, should | n way | { he ore | up the YoUng man's courage sufficiently recognize that this|himself. duce the name of Mistress, Westma- cott, no matter how respectfully, and that in doing so I gave Mt Wes macott ample grounds for oftens For that T beg his pardoh, and T venture to hope that this matter need no her.” Vallancey and Blake were speech- less in astonishment; Trenchard livid with fury. Westmacott moved a step or two forward, a swagger unmistak- able in his gait, his nether lip thrust out in a sneer. “Why,” said he, his voice mighty disdainful, “if Mr. Wilding apologize the matter hardly can go further. He conveyed such a suggestioh of re. ETeot at this that Trenchard tpunded forward, stung to speec 3 “But if Mr. Westmacott's disap- pointment threatens to overwhelm him,” he snapped, very tartly, “I am his humble servant, and he may call upon-me to sea that he's not robbed of the exercise he came to take" Mr. Wilding set a restraining hand pon Trenchard's arm. . Westmacott turned to him, the sneer, however, -gone from his fac “I have no quarrel with you, sir,” sald he with an uneasy assumption answered Trenchard briskly, and, as he afterwards confessed; had | not Wilding checked him at thag mo- ment, he had thrown his hat in ard's’ face It was Vallancey who saved the situation, cursing in his heart the bearing of his principal “Mr. Wilding."” said he, “this is very handsome in you. You are of the happy few who may tender such an apology without refiection upon your courage. Mr.” Wilding ‘made him a leg very elexantly. - “You are vastly Kind, sir, sald be. “You have given Mr. Westmacott the fullest satisfaction, and it is with an increased respect for you—if that were possible=that T acknowledge it v friend’s behal : 3 £y mirror of the . Wilding. and wondered 'was he being Whether he was or not., that he had done t only thing. He had made handsome acknowledgment of a hand- v, stung to it by the hness of Richard, nd there the matier ended, de Trenchard's burning carry it himself summation. Wilding prevailed upon him, and withdrew him from the field But’ as ¥ rode back to Zoyland Chase old rake was bitter in this inveighings against Wilding’s | folly and weakness “I pray Hoave tng, “that you dear.” {” “Have done’* sald Mr. Wilding, a i trifie out of patience. Could I wed | the sister having slain the brother?" | Ana Trenchard, understanding at last, accounted himselt he had not understood before. he. none the less deemed it u Richard had been spared CHAPTER VI, The Champion. As vainglorious was Richard West/ | macott’s retreat from the field of un- he kept repeat- it may not come to cost numbskull i inglorious. He spoke with { confidence now of the narrow escaj | that Wilding had had at his hands. the things he would have done to Wild- i ing had not that gentléman grown wise time. Sir Rowland, who had seen le of Richard's ecarlier stricken con- ition, was in a measure imposed upon is blustering tone and mamner; not allancey, who remembered the steps had been forced to take to boister to admit of his being brought to the en- counter. soon he wou'd be quarreling with him So, congratulating him, in a caustic manner that Richard did not relish, upon the happy termination of ich- | cur- 1 ,| Ruth,’ y | a | the affair, Vallancey took his Teave of him and Blake at the cross-roads, leading business with Lord Gervase, K..a left them to without him whose suspicions of some to_Bridgwater. Blake, secret matter to which Vallancey and Richard were wedded had been earier :xcited by Westmacott's indiscretions,. vas full of sly questions now touching the business which might Valiancey to Scoresby. But was too full of the subject of the fear he had instilled into Wilding to af- ford his companion much satlsfaction on any other score. Thus they came to Lupton House, and as Richard swag- gered down the lawn into the presence of the ladies—Ruth and her aunt were occupying the stone bench, Diana the circular seat about the great oak in the center of the lawn—he was a very dif- | ferent person from the pale, limp crea- ture they had beheld there some few { hours earlier. Loud and offensive was he now In self-laudation, and so in- | different to all' else that he left unob- | served the little smile, balf wistful, half scornful, that visited his sister's lip when he sneeringly told how Mr. Wild- ing had chosen that better part of valor which discretion is alleged to be. 1t needed Diana, who, blinded by no | sisterly affection, 'saw him exactly as {he was, and despised him accordingly, {to enlighten him. It may also be that in doing o at once she had ends of her own to serve; for Sir Rowland was still of the company. 7aid?" she cried, her so charged with derision that it inclined to shrillness. ‘“La! Richard, Mr. Wilding was never afraid of any man." acquaintance with Mr. Wilding was slight and revent. t is what I should {think. He does not look like a man familiar, with fear. Richard struck Something of an at- titude, his fair face flushed, his pale eyes glittering. *He took a blow,™ said he, and sneered ““There may have been reasons,” Djana suggested darkly, and Rowland's eyes narrowed at the hint Again he recalled the words Richard |had let fall that afterncon. Wilding {and he were fellow workers in some {secret business, and Richard had said {that the encounter was treason to that same business, whatever it might be. had grounds upon which to found at 2 Had perhaps Wi | ac similar feeling: |avoiding the duel? He wondered; and { when Richard dismissed Diana's chal- | lenge with a fatuous laugh, it was Blake w | knew, {be.” Diana looked at Ruth, as if for guid- before replying. But Ruth sat and sccmingly impassive, looking raight before her. She was, indeed, different how much Diana said, for any case the matter could nof re- main a secret long. Lady Horton, silent and listening, looked a question at daughter. nd =0, after a pause: “I know both,™ id Diana, her eves straying again to uth; and a subtler man than Blake | would have read that glance and un derstood that this same reason whic) he sought so diligently sat there before {hi too, what might H hard, indeed. catching that lpok of his cousin’s, checked his | surance, and stood frowning, cogitating. | Then: quite suddenly, his voice. hurah | *“What do you mean, Diana®" he in- | quirea. |".Diana shrugged and turned | shoulder to him. *You had best ask d she, which was an answer | more’ or less plain to both the men | They stood at gaze sty iheavy lip caught in his strong, i forward | _sir Rowland mads . sudde d as movement, drew a deep breat suddanly stood still. Ri he laughed, between unbelief and on. It is a jest” said he, but his ac- cents lacked conviction. It is the truth,” Ruth assured him quiet] Faith.” said Rowland, although his | And of what it might be Sir Rowland | her < Richard looking | 1t urged him to lengths | Stricken battle as his advance upon it [a thought foolish, Blake, frowning, {had_been white | rd looked at | Eis sister as if she were mad and raving. | “Thé truth? His blew darkened om- day se'night so that he saved your life and honor," she told him calmly, and added, “It was a bargain that we drove. Richard continued to stare at her. The thing she told him was too big to be swallowed a mouthful; he was e s o sal ou oW the our sister n:.’ e o | save you, and when you speak of the | apology Mr. Wilding tendered you, per- lh;pd. you'll speak of it in a tone le-' ou But the sarcasm was no longer need- ] ed. Already poor Richard was very humble, his make-believe spirit ail | d out. He observed at last how | gale and sst was his sister's face, and e realized . something of the sacrifice she had made. Never in all his life was Richard o near to lapsing from the | love of himself; never o near to for- | getting his own interests and prefer- | ring those of Ruth. Lady Horton sat | silent, her heart fluttering with dismay ' and perplexity. Heaven had not equip- | ped her with a epirit capable of deating with a situation such as this. Blake stood in make-belisve stolidity, dissem- | bling his infinite chagrin and _the stormy emotions warring within him, | for some signs of which Diana watched | | his_countenance in vais | “You shall not do it"" eried Richard suddenly. He came forward and laid his hand on his sister's shoulder. His voice wag almost gentle. “Ruth, you sball not/do this for me. You must not. By heaven, no! snapped Blake be- fore she could reply. “You are right, Richard. Mistress Westmacott must not be the scapegoa he shall not play the part of Iphigenia.” But Ruth smiled wistfully as she \swered him with question, Where is the help for it Richard knew where the help for it lay, and for once—for just a moment —he contemplated danger and even death with equanimity. can take up this quarrel again,” he announced. “I can compel Mr. Wilding to meet me. Ruth’s eyes, looking up at him, kin- dled with pride and admiration. It armed her heart to hear him speak thus, to huve this assurance that he was anything but the coward she had been so disloyal as to deem him; no jdoubt she I i that it wa 3 of the palsy he had display ing: he was a little wild, knew: Indlined to sit overlate at Lottle; with advancing manhood, | she had no doubt, he would overcome boyish failing. Meanwhile it was foolish habit—nothing more— that undermined the inherent firm- his nature. And it comforted her zenerous soul to have this proaf that he was full worthy of the sacri- was making for him. Diana hed him fn some surpiise, and doubted but that his offer was impulsive, and that he would regret it when his ardor had had time to cool. (Continued in Tomorrow's Star.) The moment the pain comes oa, apply Sloan's. Just stroke it on geatly. You don’t have to rub it in. A glowing warmth spreads through the pain-ridden tissues. The pain eases off—is gone. Get a bottle from your druggist to- day—35 cents. It will not stain. | Sloan’s Liniment—kills pain: 5 You Can 20% to- 333 % Our removal K—will be ready. minimum—and for that is absolute of all athers. : tunity te refurnish. | Actually‘ Save scheduled for the mid- dle of May—at which time our new location —Connecticut Ave. at Naturally we want to reduce the labor of moving to _the utmost consequence are will- ing to make these ex- travagant - . reductions Office Furniture standard and the rep- resentative best makes in America—which we handle:t'o the exclusion Offices need mod- and now’s your ad- vantageous oppor- and Tables. lect from. Suite. in make. mpbell Office Equipment Handsome “Standard” Desks Of all sizes and types—Flat, Rol!-top, Singlé and Double—also Typewriter Desks Genuine Walnut, Mahogany, Combination Mahogany and Oak to se- Deduct 207 to 3337 from regular prices Wil Famous Milwaukee Chairs —in design and construction to match the above Desks— Deduct 207 to 33317 from regular prices : . : s - Noted Standard Tables —matching Desks and Chairs, enabling you to make up a most imposing Deduct 207 to 25% from regular prices -« Wardrobes to match ...........207 off Hat Trees to match..207 to 307 off Typewriter Chair to match....257 off L “Security’”’ Metal Cabi‘nets Standing and Horizontal Filing Cabinets and Storage Cabinets of this superior \ Deduct 207 from regular prices Office ly Hundreds of Office Chairs —All of them Milwaukee make—and of that type and grade which the U. S. 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Men's Furnishings Section First Floor Many of the younger men pre- fer the short oxford gray coat with light gray flannel trous- ers to the cutaway, no doubt because this combination has more of the easy comfort of the English clothes now so much in favor, The Oxford. Gray Coat and Waistcoat, $40; with gray Flannel Trousers, $10. A gray soft Hat in the Hom- burg shape, black band, white border—from England, $10. Correct shirt may be black and white striped madras, $3; or white English broadcloth, $3.50. Oxfords of patent leather or black calfskin, $10. Silk Socks in black, $1.50. A black and white Four-in- hand Tie of silk, $2, may be worn with either a turned- down or wing collar. Handkerchiefs of linen, 50c; sfll; $1.50. Walking Sticks, $5 to $15. Men's Clothes Section Second Floor Men’s Shoe Seetion Second Floor Shirts for Grave or Gay White shirts will be preferred by many men, éSpecially white English broadcloth because of its sheen and durability. grades, $3.50. The Finest, $5. Easter Are Fine While a close second will be the colored shirts with stiff, de- tachable collar to match. Genuine English Broadcloth in white, $3.50. stripes. Woven madras, $3. The. Foundation of Good Appearance Smart Shoes That Fit Shoes must fit well to be good-looking and keep their shape. That is why these shoes are comfort- able when you first put them on and good-looking throughout their life. They're Arnold . Glove Grips (The Ardmore), in tan or black calf. *10 Mea's Shoe Section, Second Floor. Men's Furnishings Section. First Floer. In solid colors—green, gray, blue, vellow, brown and others—or with contrasting or harmonizing Woven Madras and Glos have silken sheen, $5. In Powder Blue With Dark Blue Band Stetson Hats, *7 Made to our order by Stetson, for young men of 20 to 60. Also for Young Men—a Snap Brim Hat that’s full of snap. In gray with dark gray band; tan with brown band. $4. And Woodward & Lothrop Feature Hats—that fit your head, your face, your profile—in all the shapes and shades of the season. $5. Men's Hat Seetion, First Floor. Ties of Unexampled Smartness, *3 Gum Twill Foulard, : - Resilio Imported Resilio shape, $2. Silk; $3, An Easter gift that any man- would appreciate— even from himself! Famous Resilio patented shape resists wrinkles to a good old age. - Where the knot cosnes it stays smooth. Imported silks of radiant luster in ornate designs. copied from the cathedral windows at Chasrubles, Spain. . 2 Auan e s Sitk Bat» Ties in checksand stripes, $2. Mew's Furabshingy fi ich Imported Smart Floral De.uign Silk, $3. in silk, $2. And at $1.50, $2 and $2.50—the smartest, hand tailored ties we've seen. An almost inconceivable . number of patterns, colors and weaves. Bat Ties in English Foulards, $1. In hdndsome, *'striped and patterned silks, $1.50 and $2. ,.f&’fiuth rop