Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-11-18
Capt. Ogilvle's Flirta.
ton.


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 notio II casual friends and acquaintance.
His CON up to town without his wife was
ar accide- / circumstance, and he was hon
estly disap. lted that the precarious state of
her fathers Lealth prevented her from accom-
panyiug hiri.
He was soon reconciled to his qUasi-bach-
elordOm, however, by the fattering attentions
he received in town. He was i remarkably
good looking man, an excellent dancer, and
an adept st Irritation. Being weak vain and
and conceited he enjoyed the dutter OF ex-
citemenU 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 be a single man. He soothed
his conscience by keeping up al aifectIonate
Correspondence with his wife, and by making
the wise resolution to be very careful not to
commit himself in any way. Unfortunately,
he was 50 susceptible by nature that, if
young lady gave him encouragement, he could
never resist entering into the region Of dan
gerous iirtat!ons. More than once he checked
himself only Just in time to avoid making
compromising declaration, and, though he
blamed himself very severely on these occa-
sions, be did not learn wisdom from expert
ence. On tie contrary, he grew mort and
more reckless.
At length, one morning he awoke with
suspicious headache, and dim consciousness
of having been more impTudent than usual
the preceding evening. He recalled to mind
with increasing uneasiness tete-a-tete con-
versation with certain young lady IN con-
"ervatory after supper, and, though he could
not remember precisely what had passed, he
had an uncomfortable foreboding that he had
made a formal proposal of marriage and
been accepted. All doubts upon the point
were speedily removed by tue following note,
which reached him while he was still in bed:
"CHLwoRTH STREET, Tuesday morning.
Only DEAREST CHARLIE:-I have thought
it 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
sensel" said the captain, peevishly. he
crushed the note in his hand ill b very ungal-
liant manner
This unwelcome communication effectually
aroused him, and he hurredly performed his
toilet while cursing his imprudence and
smarting from a sense of shame and humilia-
ton 1t must be owned that he felt heartily
ashamed of himself, and the image of his
wife rose reproachtully to his mind. Con
corning the object of his faithlessness, Miss
Maud Pontifex, his sentiments were of u
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 Mt least his
equal in the dangerous art Of filtration She
had angled for him III 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 the fact remained that he was in an ex-
ceedingly awkward predicament, and did 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 rs q jol,e-though, of course it
was quite possible that the young lady might
not easily be brought 10 take the same view
of It. If necessary, he must reveal the fact
of his marriage, bat he iustncuvely shrank
from tins course. II would place his conduct
in very bad light, and exaggerated rumOrS
Of the license be had permitted himself might
reach his wife'S ears.
The important point was to extricate him
self from his dilemma without moments
delay, and he therefore resolved to call upon
the young lady at once. At first he thought
of writing, but now that it was too late, ht
began to listen TO the dictates OF prudence.
However guariedly be might express him
self in a letter. it would lie safer not to COM
NIT ~,
dawdled over his breakfast, which he
scarcely touched, the sailed forh about mid
day in the direction of ClIilworth street. On
the way he recalled to mind what he knew of
the PontifeNeS, and was surprised TO find how
slight had been his acquaintance with them
BE had met Miss Maud Pontifex. who was .
pretty and lively girl half Il dozen times per
hapS, ut 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. 80 that
they had soon become excellent friends H.,
had barely exchanged two words with her
mother, and WAS entirely ignorant of their
circumstances and social position, though it
was evident they moved in good society Ii
began to dawn upon him that they might
possibly be couple of adveutureSSes. or at
least mother and daughter intent upon Sc
curing a husband for the latter. or PERHAPS
for both This suspicion, though it increased
his uneaSineSS, rendered him more callous
about the unpleasant task lie had 70 perform.
and he knocked at the door of their residence
i'll very stern and resolute frame of mind
The neat maid servant who admitted him
showed by her manner that be WIS expected,
and requested him to follow her to the draw
ing room But, before be could reach the foot
of the staircase, a charming apparition in
pretty morning gown intercepted him; and
Miss Maud her blue eyes sparkling and her
face covered with bushes, cried enthusiast
ucally: "Oh. Charliel How good OF you 10
come 80 soon. Good moTningF
The salutstion was uttered in rather de
mum tone, while two small hands wers
outStretched toward, and a pair of rosy
lips uphfted in an entcing suggestive man
ner Capt ogilvie was completely taken
aback, and had no time for reflection 1t Ger
tainly crossed his mind in dim. uncertain
way that he ought to be cold and stately. Blu,
It was impossible to collect his thsughts and Ia
oiurt out his explanation with the maid ser
want standing agoS on the stairs, and Maud
Pontifexs pretty face in close proximity IN
his own The simplest plan seemed 10 b. IN
grasp the little hand and to irnprin. thu