Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-08-08
A SLIP OF THE PEN.
An Annoying, But Not Altogether
Unfortunate Mistake.

IL was all Dicky Carshaiton's fault
In many respects an amiable youth,
ho can not bo said 10 be possessed OF
the finer feelings. and, perhaps. Is not
aware Of the extent OF the discom.
Tort he produces in more sensiti se
people A frequenter OF parties OF
every description, he Is fond Of vary
ing the monOtOny Of the social routine
by various little practices. or these,
his favorite. not aIasl peculiar 70
himself. Is commonly known as spoil
ing sport Whenever Dlchy sees a
pair OF people who appear 10 take
particular delight In one another's
society. showing a tendency 10 seek
unto themselyes 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-conldence and the
most brazen impudcncc- the objects
- Hs' 1AAAeAe AabAkbN sNa gEluEs from
the nature OF their position, compare
lively defenseless--it Is needless 10
add that, though Dicky has his fail
nres on record, they are greatly out
stripped In numbers by his successes.
so there Is nothing wonderful in the
fact tina, Dicsy was at the bottom OF
that unfortunate affair with Jack
and Ethel.
Matters had long been Ia a delicate
and critical state between those young
people. Jack had told himself over
and over again that Ethel was a Hlrt.
and that he, for one. had no intention
Of adding himself 10 the list OF her
victims; while Ethel had relieved her
feelings by repeatedly assuring herself
that Jack was cross fellow who
cared for nothing but his books, and
was quite impervious 10 the charms Of
wOmanhood.
But that night at the Warrington
things really did seom 20 be taxing a
turn for the better. Ethel had boldly
turned hor back on half-a-dozsn other
admirers and Jack, looking down
into her honest eyes. was rapid.
ly forgetting the doubts and fears
which had tormented him during the
pat months
There Is no knowing what might not
have happened had Il not been for
Dicky, who came up 10 them at this
hopeful stage OF affairs, his shoul-
ders In his ears. hls hair brushed 10 a
nicely, and with the most unmistaka.
bic look OF mischief In his prominent
eyes
Good evening, Miss Mariner" he
said. taking Ethers hand IN his ana
'queezing II with ompressment, and
ien tho two poor things, suddenly
Weakening from their dream, stood
here chill and helpless while Dlcky
fired OF his accustomed yollev OF chan.
md Ethel, with feminine presence Of
mind, yentured on one or two little pop
guns on her own account
'Miss Mariner" he said at last.
with satisfied glance at Jacks sui
len face, "have you been into the
Conservatory They've put up lot
VI pink lamps, and there's the most
Scrumptious tete-a~tete chair you can
imagine"
Poor Ethel looked up at Jack, who
stood by, furious and suky.
''lie Is only too glad 10 got rid af me.
He hasn't the ordinary kindness TO res
cue me from this bore. And | have
been 80 horribly amiable 30 him. she
thought In despair
III she likes that popinjay, let her
go with himl I'm sorry for her taste.
that's all, reflected Jack, and IN an
other minute Ethel found herself
actually seated IN the tete-a-t tete chair
with Dicky. whose large eyes were
rolling triumphantly in the light of
the rose-colored lamps
She did not succeed Ia making her
Escape TN II was time 10 10 home |
Jack was nowhere 10 be seen, and she |
drove back IN the chill gray laornlng |
with the heaviest heart she had known
TOR many years.