The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-06
A SLIP OF THE PEN.
An Annoying, But Not Altogether
Unfortunate Mistake.

1t was all Dicky Carshalton's fault.
In many respects an amiable youth,
he can not be said to be possessed of
the finer feelings, and, perhaps, is not
aware of the extent of the discom-
fort he produces in more sensitive
people. A frequenter of parties of
every description, he is fond of vary
ing the moaotony of the social routine
by various little practices. OF these,
his favorite, not, alas! peculiar to
himself, is commonly known as spoil
ing sport. Whenever Dicky sees
pair of people who appear to take
particular delight in one another's
society. showing a tendency to seek
unto themselves retreats, he is never
satisfied until, by some bold stroke or
cunning stratagem, he has succeeded
in separating them; or. at least, in
destroying their enjoyment for the
rest of one evening.
The happy possessor of an exhaust
less supply of self-con6dence and the
most brazen impudence-the objects
of his attack, moreover, being, from
the nature of their position, compare
lively defenseless-it is needless to
add that, though Dicky has his fail
ures on record, they are greatly out
stripped in numbers by his successes.
30 there is nothing wonderful in the
fact that Dicky was at the bottom Of
that unfortunate affair with Jack
and Ethel.
Matters had long been in delicate
and critical state between those young
people Jack had told himself over
pnd over again that Ethel was a flirt,
and that he, for one, had no intention
OF adding himself to the list of her
victims; while Ethel had relieved her
feelings by repeatedly assuring herself
that Jack was a cross fellow who
cared for nothing but his books, and
was quite impervious to the charms of
wOmanhood.
But that night at the Warringtons'
things really did seem to be taking a
turn for the better. Ethel had boldly
turned her back on half-a-dozen other
admirers. and Jack, looking down
into her honest eyes, was rapid
~ forgetting the doubts and fears
which had tormented him during the
past months.
There is no knowing what might not
nave happened had it not been for
Dlcky, who came up to them at this
hopeful stage of affairs, his shoul-
oers in his ears, his hair brushed to a
nicely, and with the most unmistaka-
ole look OF mischief in his prominent
eyes.
'Good evening, Miss Mariner" he
sald' taking Etheps hand in his and
squeezing it with empressment, and
tnen the two poor things, suddenly
awakening from their dream, stood
snere chill and helpless while Dicky
urea on his accustomed volley of chat.
ana Ethel. with feminine presence of
"ino, ventured ON one or two little pop
guns on her own account.
Miss Mariner" he said at last,
WIN satisfied glance at Jacks sui
'en lace, have you been into the
conservatory? They've put up lot
VI pink lamps, and there's the most
ecrumptlous tete-a-tete chair you can
Imagine"
foor Ethel looked up at Jack. who
$1,000 by, furious and sulky.
HE is only too glad to get rid of me.
11e hasn't the ordinary kindness to res
cue me from this bore. And l have
Ueen SO horribly amiable to him." she
thought in despair.
III she likes that popinjay. let her
so with him! I'm sorry for her taste,
mats all" reflected Jack. and in an
''nes minute Ethel found herself
sc.Sall y seated in the tete-a-r oh air
s ",rn Dicky. whose large e were
~ lung triumphantly in the light Of
'ne rose-colored lamps.
sso que old not succeed in making hen
Ia ape TILL it was time to 90 home.
s @oA was nowhere to be seen, and she
,; Eve pack in the chill gray ,aornine
to FLU 'he heaviest heart she had known
1or many years
,o.. H.nei'" said her mother at break
NIUE .ne next morning, Ibid you have
~ A