The Amateur Gentleman

"Paid? Who--who's to pay 'em?"

"I will."

"You!--you?"

"Yes," nodded Barnabas, "on a condition."

Ronald Barrymaine sank back upon the couch, staring at Barnabas with

eyes wide and with parted lips; then, leaned suddenly forward,

sobered by surprise.

"Ah-h!" said he slowly. "I think I begin to understand. You have

seen my--my sister."

"Yes."

"Do you know--how much I owe?"

"No, but I'll pay it,--on a condition."

"A condition?" For a long moment the passionate dark eyes met and

questioned the steady gray; then Barrymaine's long lashes fluttered

and fell.

"Of course it would be a loan. I--I'd pay you back," he muttered.

"At your own convenience."

"And you would advance the money at once?"

"On a condition!"

Once again their eyes met, and once again Barrymaine's dropped; his

fingers clenched and unclenched themselves, he stirred restlessly,

and, finally, spoke.

"And your condition. Is it--Cleone?"

"No!" said Barnabas vehemently.

"Then, what is it?"

"That from this hour you give up brandy and Mr. Chichester--both

evil things."

"Well, and what more,--what--for yourself? How can this benefit you?

Come, speak out,--what is your real motive?"

"The hope that you may, some day, be worthy of your sister's love."

"Worthy, sir!" exclaimed Barrymaine, flushing angrily. "Poverty is

no crime!"

"No; but there remain brandy and Mr. Chichester."

"Ha! would you insult m-my friend?"

"Impossible. You have no friend, unless it be Mr. Smivvle here."

"Now by heaven," began Barrymaine passionately, "I tell you--"

"And I tell you that these are my only conditions," said Barnabas.

"Accept them and you may begin a new life. It is in your power to

become the man you might be, to regain the place in men's esteem

that you have lost, for if you are but sufficiently determined,

nothing is impossible."

Now as he spoke, Barnabas beheld Barrymaine's drooping head uplifted,

his curving back grew straight, and a new light sprang into his eyes.

"A new life," he muttered, "to come back to it all, to outface them

all after their cursed sneers and slights! Are you sure you don't

promise too much,--are you sure it's not too late?"

"Sure and certain!" said Barnabas. "But remember the chance of

salvation rests only with and by yourself, after all," and he

pointed to the half-emptied bottle. "Do you agree to my conditions?"

"Yes, yes, by God I do!"

"Then, friend, give me your hand. To-day I go to see Jasper Gaunt."

So Ronald Barrymaine, standing square upon his feet, gave Barnabas

his hand. But even in that moment Barnabas was conscious that the

door had opened softly behind him, saw the light fade out of

Barrymaine's eyes, felt the hand grow soft and lax, and turning about,

beheld Mr. Chichester smiling at them from the threshold.