Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-01
A SLIP OF THE PEN.
t was all Dicky Carshalton's fault.

1t was all Dicky Carshaltons fault.
There is nothing wonderful in the fact that
Oicky was at the bottom Of that unfortunate
affair with Jack and Ethel
Matters had long been in delicate and crit
fcal state between those young people. Jack
had told himself over and over again that
Ethel was firt, and that he, for one, had no
intention of adding himself to the list of her
victims; while Ethel had relieved her feel
ings 10y repeatedly assuring herself that Jack
was 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 dozen other admirers, and Jack, look
ing down into her honest eyes, was rapidly
forgetting the doubts and fears which had
tormented him during the past months
There is no knowing what might not have
happened, had 1t not been for Dicky, who
came up to them at this hopeful stage of affairs,
bis shoulders in his ears, his hair brushed to
q nicely, and with the most unmistakable
look Of mischief in his prominent eyes.
.Good evening, Miss Mariner" he said,
taking Ethels hand in his and squeezing it
with empressement; and then the two poor
things, suddenly awakened from their dream,
stood there chill and helpless while Dicky
fired OFF bis accustomed volley Of chaff, and
Ethel, with feminine presence Of mind, ven
tured on one or two little pop guns on her
own account.
Miss Mariner" he said at last, with salts
fed glance at Jacks sullen face, ''have you
been into the conservatory? They've put a
lot of pink lamps, and there's the most scrump-
tous tete-a-tete chair you can imagine"
Poor Nthel looked up at Jack, who stood
by, furious and sulky
He is only too glad to get rid of mo. He
hasn't the ordinary kindness to rescue noe
from this bore And have been so horribly
amiable to him." she thought in despair
''If she likes that popinjay, let her go with
himl I'm sorry for her taste, that's all, /" re-
Elected Jack, and in another minute Ethel
found herself actually seated In the tete-a-tete
chair with Dicky, whose large eyes were
rolling triumphantly in the light of the rose
colored lamps
She did not succeed in making her escape
till it was time TO go home. Jack was no
where to be seen, and she drove back in the
chill gray morning with the heaviest heart
she had known for many days
Ethel" said her mother at breakfast, the
next morning "did you have pleasant time
at the Warringtons"
"Oh, yes, mamma" said Ethel, drearily.
She was paleand heavy eyed; | think she had
not slept all night.
'And who were there2" went on Mrs Mar
liner helping herself to buttered eggs with
CHEEKY briskness.
Ethel enumerated various people "And
Dicky Carshalton," she concluded, land Jack
Davenant."
The last named slipped out with exagger-
ated carelessness, and yet it was whirring
about in the poor girls head, and had been
doing so for the last five or six hours, like an
imprisoned blue bottle in glass.
"Jack-Jack-Jack Davenant." Was she
never to have another definite thought againi
by the by" said Mrs. Mariner, as she rose
from table, Twill you send note to Florence
Byrnei | want her to lunch here tomorrow
at half past 1.-The Singletons are coming"
Ethel moved to the writing table, blushing
family. She remembered that Mrs. Byrne
was Jack Davenants cousin.
Half past !. reoollect," cried her mother,
Us she rustled from the room.
Ethel istleSsly took UP her pen, and pulled
a sheet of paper towards her. 1t was not
stamped with the address, but she failed to
notice this, and began at once:
MY dear Mrs Byrne"
Then she stopped short, and the buzzing in
her brain went on worse than ever
The note got written at last, ali but the
signature, and then she began to wonder
dreamily if she should sign herself YOURS
very sincerely" or Yours atfectionately"
''Ethel, Ethelr cried her mother, putting
her head in at the door, Il am going out.
Give nae the note for Florence; can take it
to the post"
Guilty and ashamed, Ethel seized her pen
and wrote hastily, but in bold hand:
Yours very sincerely,
JACK DAvENANT"
Mrs Byrne neither came to lunch nor an
Ewered the Mariners invitation Mrs. Mari
her expressed surprise at this want of cour-
tesy, and apologized to the Si2gletons for
having no one to meet them.
"Are you sure, Ethel, you told her the right
dayi Florence is in town, know, and it is
80 unlike her 10 be rude"
II thinl. it was al right, mamma, Ethel
replied vaguely, and never gave another
thought to the matter.