78
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
"Why, it was only to you, Charlie, and to tell you the
truth, I do believe it is the best thing for me: but I sup-
pose every fellow feels a little queer when he is going to
be spliced, eh? I suppose I'm a bit put out by that dis-
reputable dog's being here — I mean Lake; not that I
need care more than Dorcas, or any one else; but he's no
credit to the family, you see, and I never could abide him.
I've half a mind, Charlie, to tell you a thing; but hang
it 1 you're such a demure old maid of a chap. Will you
have a cigar?"
"No."
"Well, I believe two's enough for me," and he looked
up at the stars.
"I've a notion of running up to town, only for a day
or two, before this business comes off, just on the sly;
you'll not mention it, and I'll have a word with Lake,
quite friendly, of course; but I'll shut him up, and that's
all. I wonder he did not dine here to-day. Did you
ever see so pushing a brute?"
So Wylder chucked away his cigar, and stood for a
minute with his hands in his pockets, looking up at the
stars, as if reading fortunes there.
I had an unpleasant feeling that Mark Wylder was
about some mischief — a suspicion that some game of
mine and countermine was going on between him and Lake,
to which I had no clue whatsoever. I dare say my last
night's adventure tended to make me more nervous and
prone to evil anticipation. And although my quarters
had been changed to the lower story, I grew uncomfort-
able as it waxed late, and half regretted that 1 had not
migrated to the " Brandon Arms."
Uncle Lome, however, made me no visit that night.
Once or twice I fancied something, and started up in my
bed. It was fancy, merely. What state had I really been