The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-09-07

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did not even look back. He had yet
much to learn of Professor SobrinsH's
power over his subjects:
When Captain Henniker aWoke
next morning he was painfully con-
scious OF what had happened on the
previous day. There could be no
doubt he was in q very awkward
predicament, and he could see no way
out of it. In despair he sent his SER
want to ask his friend and confidant,
Leonard Haughton, to come to
breakfast. Haughton accepted the
invitation, but was rather late in ar
irving.
81 say, old boy" he began, "you
look precious seedy. Did Miss Step
toes tea disagree with your"
81 hate a fool said Captain Hen
mixer testify. ''Sit Gown and help
yourself"
"Bilous, eh?" said Haughton with
smile. "Well, perhaps it is not to
be wondered at. Thank goodness,
my appetite will make amends for
yours"
He helped himself largely, and for
a time breakfast proceeded in silence;
but presently Captain Henniker
threw down his knife and fork; and
said:
"Look here, Leonard, Pm in d
most frightful mess. 1t makes my
hair stand on end when / think of it.
How / can have been such a fool l
can't conceive. l allowed that viper
Sobrinski to mesmerize me, and then
l became Miss Steptoe and she be-
came me. Do you follow me-?
"Not exactly answered Haugh-
ton dfyly' but go on"
"Well: Miss Steptoe-thdt was me,
you know-walked eff to the Parade;
and left me-that was Miss Steptoe-
behind, and after d while Tor, rather
Miss Steptoe. But, you understand;
it was really Miss Steptoe who pros
posed to herself"
Nonsense, man. I'll put 1t moro
plainly for you. The spirit of Miss
Steptoe in my body proposed to my
spirit in her body.
"Was the spirit whisky org gin? Up.
on my word Henniker, you are not
sober yet. Who proposed to
whom?"
"The.t is just what l can't make
out. 1t seemed as if | was proposing
to her, but it was she who proposed
to me. How do l stand? That is
what want you to tell me"
"Give it up," answered Haughton.
''Never was good at riddles"
"Do be sensible fora moment. Am
l bound by the proposal?"
81 should say you were. When q
fellow takes too much--shall we call
it tea?-over night, he must expect
to answer for it in the morning"
"Then," said Captain Henniker
desperately, "the proposal must be
respected by me. Say good-by to
your old friend Leonard ! feel as il
/ should cut my throat"
That afternoon he called at Miss
Steptoe's cottage, in order to ratify
what had occurred between them. 1t
was, he considered. the only honora-
BILE course open to him, and therefore
he had resolved to take it, though
the spell itself had ceased to operate.
1t seemed as if it's hateful effects were
to last lifetime, compelling him to
do what he detested, and leaving
him no more control over his own
destiny, than is possessed by chat
driven by the wind.
Martha opened the door to him.
With face brimful of Importance
she said, before he had time to tpeak:
Have you heard the news, Cap
tain Henniker?"
"News!" he gapsed, fearing that he
knew it only to well.
"Miss Steptoe is engaged to Mr..
Macnish."
He scarcely knew how he made his
escape, he was at once so astOnished
and so delighted. 1t was not until
afterwards, when he was able to
think more clearly, that a slight feel
ing ofsoreness entered his mind. II
was rather humiliating to he rejected
in favor of Mr.. Macnish. He could
not conceive how it happened. Any
woman could have told him. But
CAPTAIN Henniker thought it pru
dent not to ask.