The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-25

out opera glasses, to scrutinize his or her neighbor. For few seconds the colonel had a discussion with his friend as to whether there was time for cigarette between the acts. This was promptly decided in the negative, and both officers, grasping their glasses, proceeded to join in the "gen- eral inspection"
 With calmness born of long habit Colonel Punter was sweeping the house, when suddenly his arm dropped and his gaze became intently fixed on the occupants ofa box on the right of the stage these consisted of two gentlemen and lady, and the lady was Mrs. Werner. On this point he had no doubt whatever, though he looked at her with ever- increasing surprise, for she was in very full evening dress, and was extensively bejeweled. She was, moreover, at this moment talking and laughing loudly, not to say boisterously, with her com- panions, both of whom the colonel mentally and unhesitatingly pro- nounced to be cads. At this juncture Mrs. Werner, turning her head sud- denly, caught sight of Colonel Punter staring at her from the stalls; the moment their eyes met he bowed, and she also bowed slightly and smiled :; then, turning to her companions, she seemed, from their uproarious laugh ter, to be telling them 8 more than usually good story. Captain Jones had observed the mutual recognition pass between his friend and the lady in the box, and was greatly astonished.
 "Why, colonel" he said, "do you know her? You don't mean to say that you have had to go to the He- brews, like younger men?"
 "Yes, know her. But what on earth do you mean by asking whether l have been going to the Hebrews?"
 "Well, I think it is a very natural question, under the circumstances"
 "I don't know what you are talk ing about. Wto do you think the lady is, then?"
 "I don't think at all, colonel. I know that she's Mrs. Hart Moss, the female representative of one of the biggest money lending firms in town; and they tell me she's 8 very good hand at the business" ;" -
 Colonel Punter made no reply, but became plunged in a deep and ap- parently distressing reverie, for he clenched his fist and almost ground his teeth, until he attracted the atten- tion of Captain Jones, who had, in the meantime, been nodding recognition to some people of his acquaintance.
 "Why, colonel," said he, "what's the matter? The sight of that Mrs. Moss seems to have disagreed with you awfully. Whom did you mistake her for?"
 Ut has disagreed with me-" said the colonel, grimly, "but l see it all now. What you say, Jones, is quite true she is very good hand at her busi- ness" Then suddenly his countenance brightened somewhat, and he added:
 "Come and have something at the club after the play, and if you will swear secrecy, I will tell you the whole story"
 Anu he ulO tell Captaln Jones every detail, finishing the narrative with these words: "So you see she made regular catspaw of me, in order to find out if Werner was worth powder and shot. l suppose, as his people live abroad, she found difficulties in the ordinary methods of procedure"
 "I expect that you're about right, colonel. By love! she's clever wo- man!"
 "I wonder she had the audacity, though" said our gallant friend, his anger boiling up again for a moment. "Why, might make the whole mat ter public"
 "She knew you wouldn't. though"
 "And she's quite right" said the colonel, "for won't. ."- CormhaU Mag 0zine.