THE INTERVENTION OF PETER
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ach of the young gentlemen nodded to afriend and rose to depart. The joyous dinner—party bade fair to end with much more seriousbusiness. ‘* You shall hear from me very shortly,” saidRandolph, as he strode to the door. “‘T shall await your pleasure with impatience,sir, and give you such a reply as even youcannot disdain.” It was all rather high-flown, but youth isdramatic and plays to the gallery of its owneyes and ears. But to one pair of ears therewas no ring of anything but tragedy in thegrandiloquent sentences. Peter, the personalattendant of Harrison Randolph, stood at thedoor as his master passed out, and went onbefore him to hold his stirrup. The youngmaster and his friend and cousin, Dale, startedoff briskly and in silence, while Pete, with wideeyes and disturbed face, followed on behind.Just as they were turning into the avenue ofelms that led to their own house, Randolphwheeled his horse and came riding back to his servant.Pete,” said he, sternly, “what do youknow?” 173
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