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Nedra

Chapter 10 A SHARP ENCOUNTER

Word Count: 3769    |    Released on: 30/11/2017

s--young and old--made up a happy company. Of all on board, but one was despised and loathed by his fellow-traveller

nces, and her cloud of humiliation was swept away by the knowledge that her new friends saw the injustice of his attacks. She did not pose before them

ggressive and possessed of a wit, shrewdness and spontaneity of humor that often amazed the less subtle of the two. Tinges of jealousy sometimes shot into Grace's heart when sh

he shadow of exile upon him. He had won the friendship of all. The brain of the Westerner was as big as his heart, and it had been filled with the things which

res of life. At times he cursed the fate which had cast him into the world, big and strong, yet apparently helpless. It had not been his ambition to begin life in the capacity which now presented itself. His hopes had been limitless. Poverty had made his mind a treasure; but poverty had also kept it buried. He saw befor

mething told him she was not to be censured. Even in his blind rage he remembered that she was good and true, and was daring

er constantly, as they had expected, caused them hours of misery. They were praying for the twenty-third of May to come, praying with all their hearts. Beside whom did Hugh walk during the deck strolls and

ifference that falls to the lot of a brother. Time after time they actually pounced upon the couple and dragged her away without so much as "By your leave." They danced with her, sang with her, walked with her and openly tried to mak

morsels of joy which were now becoming more precious than the fondest dreams of the we

d creep quietly on deck, meal half finished, where he would join her li

ns in a racing match, always keeping some distance ahead of poor Veath, who finally, like the sly fox, sat down and waited for them to hurry around and come upon him unexpectedly. He, of course, never knew that they were trying to avoid him, nor could he imagine why brother and sister were so flu

ely felt that he was beginning to love her. Perhaps he was already in love, and was releasing those helpless little signs which a woman underst

too late that he had sworn to Hugh that he would not speak to her of the matter. "I beg your pardon," he

missionary. Nothing was ever farther fr

ugh said you were. There I

missionary! How could

n earnest?

right eyes, but failing dismally. Something in his glance dazzled her. It

g to the Philippi

ly looked away. The red of confusion rushed to her c

e stammered. "Hugh and I took a sudden notion to go

s as a pleasure trip?" he asked, staring

she hurried on. "Look a

kind must be awfully expens

y it, but we have much more money than we know how to spend. The cost of this voyage is a mere trifle. Please do not think that I am

naries are seldom overburdened with riches, according to tradition, or the gospel, or some

have had an idol sh

g. "I don't know very much about idols," he add

hort time," s

a second and then went back to the stretch of water like a flash. That brief glance troubled her grea

ful, her inward cry being: "It is a crime to have woun

nt, as genial, as gallant as before; none but Grace observed the faint change in his manner. She was sure she could distinguish a change, yet at times, when he was gayest, she thrilled with the hope that

plainly preferred the young American. It had not occurred to Mr. Ridgeway that his Lordship might be expected, with reasonable propriety, to unmask a jealous streak in addition to other disagreeable traits. The British subalterns probably knew the temper of the old diplom

st as the whole ship knew it; his pride rankled and writhed with the fear that she was finding more than friendship to enjoy in her daily intercourse with the good-looking Mr. Ridge. Gra

Ridge off for a waltz. Her protestations had been of no avail; Gilmore was abominable enough to say that she had no right to stow herself away with a stupid old brother when there were so many "real nice chaps on board." An

rer of this glorious voyage certainly ranks supreme! And I didn't have bra

n until dawn had not a harsh, rasping voice from out

ir, do you pl

the government emissary's continuous winnings, disastrous losses of the young subalterns inveigled into gambling through fear of his official displeasure, were not unknown to Hugh. A civil declination was on his l

itely carved ebony cribbage-board; and assuming the position of host, indicated

him his sense of perplexity increased. Was there some hidden purpose, some crafty machination lurking behind the elaborated manner with which the inv

h that precluded the recognition of a like sentiment directed agains

nd served to augment his supposition that such a condition was presupposed. This, in turn,

qual politeness the proffered seat was accepted, Hugh registering inwardly a determination to force high stakes, and, if possible, recoup the losse

eign a

ive, if

money and a choleric determination to prohibit any further attentions to his wife. The struggle was brief, for the vehemence of his enmity, triumphant, the hope of immed

eward fetched them and a

nventional operation performed and his Lordship successful, he dealt the hands, at the same time giving the steward a sharp order to leave. The

sure of playing?" came sud

way, H

scovery of the steward's identity there flashed like a bolt from the blue an appalling recollection! Exposed to view on the tabl

ation, icily formal, told nothing; but upo

and he wondered if the knowledge of his adopting an incognito had been elicited from the garrulous servant, and the Englishman about to take advantage

ge is my name, L

swered the scrutiny impassively, and without as much as the flicker of an eyelid. Taking one of the little ivory pegs, he stuck it in the starting hole at the end of the cribbage-board. Unconsciously, while waiting fo

ed with the English Ridges;" and the sneer in the voice increased. "Do I

ps and his blood boi

y by a perceptible lift of the head; "and my ancestors were not Tories in

dmitted his Lordship,

ntingford, obviously heedless of his peculiar action, recommenced shuffling the stack of cards, though the dealt hands remained untouched on the table. Instinctively, Hugh was convinced that no

t long fo

nace shone from his eyes as he glanced at the man opposite him. With an oath he rose, walked to the door and closed it. Then ruthlessly laying aside the last

ou think I'll allow you to carry on an affair with my wife--my wife, sir?"

ame in connection with his own, or at the stick in dangerously close proximity to his co

f I de

g that the swaggering domination he had been accustomed to exercising over his own countrymen, official

u, and then have the captain put you on shor

hions. With the exception of the younger man's hard breathing and some gasps from the other, the struggle was noiseless. Not until Lord Hunting

all. I'll spare you that degradation; but if I ever hear of you mentioning the name Ridegway--I've my own reasons for concealing it, and they don't concern you--I'll make some char

wed him to regain his feet. At that instant Veath, with Grace and Lady

want you to bear witness that Lord Huntingford has promised to

e. Lady Huntingford with astonished eyes was gazing

you any pain or annoyance. In a dispute over the cards with

a look of unutterable contempt at her husband, turned on her heel and left

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