Half A Chance

ly, and retrace his way. He was not an absent-minded man, yet he had been striding unconsciously not toward his customary destination at that hour, the several chambers at once his offic

ent as he had for many evenings, only this night he did not look into the faces

d another and smaller key to another lock and, from a hall, entered a large apartment, noteworthy for its handsome array of books that reached from floor to ceiling wherever there was shelf

large cage with a small bird that chirped as the man came in; John Steele looked at it a moment, walked to a mirror and looked at himself. Long the deep eyes studied the firm resolute face; they seemed endeavoring to gaze beyond it; but the present visage, like a shadow, waved before him. The

. Seating himself at the table, he responded negatively to the servant's inquiry if "anythink" else would be required, and when the man had withdrawn, mechanically tur

that ascended in clouds from his lips and the heavy-looking columns of the morning sheet. Suddenly, however, the latter dissipated his further concern in his

known Governor and his Lady are accompanied by their niece, the beautiful and accomplished Miss Jocelyn Wray, only child of Sir Charles' younger brother, the late Honorable Mr. Ric

who lived in tunnels and dark passages constituted another world within the world. Her name danced in illustrious company; here were dukes and earls and viscounts; a sprinkling of the foreign element: begums, emirs, the nation's guests. He saw, also, "Sir Charles, Lady

strove to replace idleness by industry; but the spirit of work

the servant who appeared with a l

with a request for anything that chanced to be left down-stairs. Armed with a bit of pasteboard, Steele was stopped as he was about to enter. A thunder of applause fro

rning, he beheld a familiar face with black whiskers, that of Captain

ith a smile, "I'm afraid I can't answer. I've just

n't know one jolly note from another, but, for goodness' sake, don't

y to become better acquainted with one for whom he entertained a frank admiration. Steele's reserve, however, was not easily penetrated; he accepted and r

ccentuating the picture, the gorgeous colors of some eastern prince stood out like the brighter bits in a kaleidoscope. Steele's glance swept over royalty, rank and condition. It took in persons who were more than persons--personages; it passed over the impassive face of a dark ameer who looked as if he might h

what madness! John Steele, in the main, kept his attention directed toward the stage; once or twice he glanced quickly aside and upward; now in the dimness, however, the people in the boxes conveyed o

ored Captain Forsythe. "Behold in me a Mercury, committed to an imperative mis

John Steele regarded

Charles. He, by the by, went in for law himself, before he became governor. 'Only had time to shake hands this morning!' 'Yes, why di

des Steele's glance turned oftenest to the girl. She was dressed in white; a snowy boa drooped from the slender bare shoulders as if it might any moment slip off; a string of pearls, each one with a pearl of pure light in the center, clasped her throat. In her eyes the brightness seemed to sing of

of mine?" she observed lightly, when John Steele, after a

'comman

me he was going to. It is like him; he p

led; where other men would press the opportunity

ext to her, and as he sat down--

opera?" he asked slowly

but," enthusiastically, "it was the music I was thinking of--how

ery interesting," he answered. "I

dened a little; in her

lds near his feet. "In earlier days my en

ere engaged in more

you wouldn't mind telling me someth

ptain Forsythe has only been telling me--all of us--tha

how wrong

ignorance, want of knowledge about something every school-girl is mistress of! "Or, perhaps, it is because your world is so different from mine! Music, laughte

wered, his tone unconsciously taking an a

tendant on tuning, interrupted her response; Steele rose and

olonial heartiness. "Plenty of room! Unless

m and it--or them, art's gaily attired illusions!--a tress of golden hair sometimes intervened, but he did not move. Through threads like woven flashes of light he regarded the scene of the poet's fantasy. Did they make her a part of it,--did they seem to the man the fantasy's intangible medium, its imagery? Threads of gold, threads of melody! He saw the former, heard the latter. They rose and fell wilfully, capri

aid the man, l

And the bravura!" Captain Fo

believe, Mr. Steele?" Sir Charles

sudden emotion that swept Steele's countenance would have been observed. A sound escaped his lips; was drowned, however, in a renewed outbreak of applause. The diva came tripping out once more, the others, too--bowing, smiling--recipients of flowers. John Steele's

when this second tumult of applause had subsided. "Had one rare

ristocratic figure of the nobleman in the background; faultlessly dressed, Lord Ronsdale carried himself with his habitual languid air of assurance. The two bowed;

b'Jove!" he drawled in his metallic tone. "But, of co

ever before enjoyed the honor of being presented to your lordship!" said John Steele. The words were punctiliously spoken, his accents as cold as the other's. An

e leaving before the last act?" sh

t her. "Not thro

"Business before-

s Thursday," put in the governo

sic," added the young girl in a light tone. "That is, if you were since

for an instant, asking himself if he should come. She laughed ever so slightly; the experience was novel; who before had ever weighed the pros and cons when extended this privilege?

"You are very good.

s he passed Lord Ronadsle, the eyes of the two men again m

d, his gaze following

looked around. "Recall whe

aised his hand to his face. "Yes; a mere fugitive resemblance," he answered rather hurriedly. "Some one

harles, "fugitive rese