The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-11-18
Capt. Ogilvie's Flirta-
ton.
PART 1.


When Capt Ogilvie was appointed to n
militia a~djutancy in the neighborhood Of
London, he discovered that the fact Of his be-
ing a married man was not generally known.
He had married in Scotland, in the dead sea
son of the year, and somehow the announce
ment Of the wedding seemed TO have escaped
the notice OF casual friends and acquaintance.
His coming up to town without his wife was
ar accidental circumstance. and he was hon
estly disappointed that the precnrious state of
her fathers health prevented her from accom-
panying him.
He was soon reconciled 10 his quasi-bach-
elordom, however, by the finttering attentions
he received in town. He WINS a remarkably
good looking man, an excellent dancer, and
an adept at Irritation. Being weak, vain and
and conceited, he enjoyed the iiutter of ex-
citement which he caused among marriage
able young ladies, and though he had at The
outset no Deliberate intention of acting de-
ceitfully, he grew more and more reticent
about being married, and allowed people to
believe that he vas a single man. He soothed
his conscience by keeping up an aifectionate
correspondence with his wife, and by making
the wise resolution to DO very careful not to
commit himself in any way. Unfortunately,
he was SO susceptible by nature that, If a
young lady gave him Encouragement, he could
never resist entering into the region of dan
gerous firtations. More than once he checked
himself only just in time to avoid making n
compromising declaration, and, though he
blamed himself very severely on these occa-
sions, he did not learn wisdom from expert
ence. On the contrary, he grow more and
more reckless.
At length, one morning he awoke with a
suspicious headache, and a dim consciousness
Of having been more i%mprudent than usual
the preceding evening. He recalled 10 mind
with increasing uneasiness a tete-a-tete con
versntion with a certain young lady in II con-
servntory after supper, and, though he could
not remember precisely what had passed, he
had an uncomfortable f~oreboding that he had
made n formal proposal OF marriage and
been accepted. All doubts upon the point
were speedily emoved by the following note,
which reached him while he was still in bed:
"CHILwoRTH STREET, Tuesday morning.
"MY DEAREST CHARLIE;-l have thought
IL best to tell mamma everything at once
She does not object, but wishes to see you
without delay. Please call Immediately, for
the sake Of your loving MAUD"
My loving Maud What informal nom
senaer" said the captain, peevishly, as hs
crushed the note in his hand in a very ungal-
liant manner.
Tnis unwelcome communication enectually
aroused him, and he hurriedly performed his
toilet while cuIsing his imprldcnce and
smarting from a sense of shame and humilin
ton 1t must be owned that he felt heartily
shamed of himself, and the image of his
wife rose reproachfully 10 his mind. Con-
corning the object of his fnithlessness, Miss
Maud Pontifex, his sentiments were of a
somewhat mixed character. He knew that
he had behaved badly TO her, but at the same
time, he was bitterly conscious that the
young lady had proved herself at least his
equal in the dangerous art Of Irritation. She
had angled for him in the most barefaced
manner, and, having swallowed the bait, he
began 10 realize how palpable the hook had
been. Altogether, his mental attitude to-
ward Miss Pontifex was rather aggressive
than penitent
But tho fact remained that he was in an ex
ceedingly awkward prodicament, and lid not
relish the prospect of making the necessary
explanation and apology. Upon the whole,
he thought the best plan would be to treat
the matter as a joke though, of course, it
was quite possible that the young Indy might
not easily be brought to take the same view
Of II. II necessary, he must reveal the fact
of his marriage, but he instinctively shrank
from this course. 1t would place his conduct
in a very bad light, and exaggerated rumors
Of the license he had permitted himself might
reach his wife's ears,
The important point was to extricate him
self from his dilemma without n moments
delay, and he therefore resolved TO call upon
the young lady at once. At first he thought
of writing, but now that II was too late, be
began to listen to the dictates OF prudence.
However guardedly he might express him
self in a letter, 1t would be safer not to com
NIT anything TO paper. Accordingly, having
dawdled over his breakfast, which he
- a..l.. a.. .1I.aI -. TT IL
day in the direction OF Chilworth street On
the way he recalled to mind what be knew Of
the Pontifexes, and was surprised to find how
slight had been his acquaintance with them.
He had met Miss Maud Pontifex, who was n
pretty and lively girl, half a dozen times per-
haps. at balls and garden parties, and had
never lost an opportunity of making himself
agreeable. The young lady, ON her part, had
evinced a marked preference for him, so that
they had soon become excellent friends. He
had barely exchanged two words with her
mother. md was entirely ignorant Of their
circumstance and social position, though 1t
was evident they moved in good society. II
began to dawn upon him that they might
possibly be a couple OF adventurcsses, or at
least n mother and daughter intent upon So
curing a husband for the latter, or perhaps
for both. This suspicion, though 1t increased
his uneasinoss, rendered him more callous
about the unpleasant task he had to perform,
and he knocked at the door of their residence
In n very stern aud resolute frame OF mind.
The neat maid servant who admitted him
showed by her manner TINT he was expected,
and requested him 70 follow her to the draw
ing-room. But, before he could reach the foot
Of the staircase, a charming apparition In a
pretty morning gown intercepted him; and
Mis- Maud, her blue eyes sparkling and her
faee covered with bushes, cried enthusias,
tically; "Oh, Chhrliei How good OF GU To
come so soon. Good morningf'
The salutation was uttered in rather a de
mure tone, while two small hands were
outStretched toward, and a pair OF rosy
lips uplifted in an e%nticing suggestive man
ncr. Capt. ogilvie was completely taken
nback, and had no time for reelection. II Ger
tuinly crossed his mind in a dim, uncertain
way that he ought to be cold aud stately. But
it WINS impossible TO collect his thoughtsandto
blurt out his explanation with the maid ser
want standing agog on the stairs, and Maud
PontifeX's pretty face In close proximity TO
his own. The simplest plan seemed to he TO
grnsp the little hand and TO imprint the
expected kiss, which Capt Ogilvie did, not
without aFkwardness, perhaps, yet with a
fair appearance Of satisfaction.
Mamma is dying to see yen. She is so nice,
Charlie. You will love her, Pm suJo," said
Eaid Maud. as she tripped up the stairs.
MISUNDERSTANDING ~dear-young lady,
| had better say a few words to you first, - he
gasped. n~ervonsly.
ANAe l.8.. raNnA aNA-- - l. -.