Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-03-12
A SLIP OF The Pen.
was all Dicky Carsbaltop's fault.

It. was all Dicky CarsbaltoD's fault.
In nav respects an amiabls youth, be
cannot be said to be o ssessed of the finer
! feelings, and perhaps is not aware If the
extent Of the discomfort he produced in
more sensitive people. A frequenter of
oarties of every deception, be is fond of
varying the monotony of the social routine
by various little practices. Of these his fa-
vorite-not, alas! peculiar to himself-is
commonly known as spelling spot. When
ever Dicky sees a par of people who appear
TO take particular delight in one apother's
society, showing a tendency to seek unto
themselves retreats, he is never satisfied un-
til. by some bold str, ke or cunning strata
gem, he has succeeded in separating them,
or at least in destroying their enjoyment for
the rest of one evening.
The happy possessor of an exhaustless
supply of self.confidence and the most
braZen impudence-the objects of his at
tack, moreover, being from the nature of
their position CON paratively defenseless-
it is needless to add that, though Dicky has
his failures on rec ,rd, they are greatly out
stripped in numbers by his successes So
there is nothing wonderful in the fact that
Dicky was at the bott' m of hat unfortunate
affair with Jack ard Ethel.
Matters had long been in delicate and
critical state bet ~een those young people.
Jack had told himself over and over again
that Ethel was flrt, and that he for one
had no intention of adding himself to the
list of her victims, while she bad relieved
her feelings by repeatedly assuring herself
that Jack was a cross fellow, who cared for
nothing but bis books and was quite i'm
pervious to the charms IF womanhood.
But that night at the Warripgtons things
really did seem to be taking turn for the
better. Ethel had boldly turned her back
on half dozen other admirers, and Jack,
looking down into ber honest eyes, was
rapidly forgetting the doubts and fears
which had torment ed him duIiog the last
months.
There is no knowing what might not have
happened had it not been for Dicky, who
came up to them at this hopeful stage of
affairs, his shoulders in bis ears, his hair
brushed to nicely, and with the most un-
mistakable look of mischief in bis prominent
eyes.
sGood evening, Miss Mariner" he said,
taking E5hers hand in his and squeezing it
with impressement; and then tho two poor
things, suddenly awakened from their
dream, stood there chill and helpless while
Dicky fred off bis accustomed volley of
chaff, and Ethel, with feminine presence of
mind, ventured ON or or two little popguns
on her own account.
"Miss Mariner" he said at last, with a
satisfied glance at Jacks sullen face, shave
you been into the conservatory? They've
put in lot of pink lamps and there's the
most scrumptious tote tete chair you can
in agipe."
Poor Ethel looked up at Jack, who stood
BY furious and sulky.
s'He is only too glad to get rid of me. He
hasn't the ordinary kindness to rescue me
from this bore. And l have been so horri.
bly am,able to him." she thought in de-
spair.
eff she likes that popinjay let her 90 with
himI Pm sorry for her taste, that's ALL"
reflected jack. And in another minute
Ethel found herself actually seated in the
tete a-tete chair with Dicky, whose large
eyes we're rolling triumphsntly in the light
| of the rose colored lamps.
| She did not succeed in making her escape
| till it was time to 90 home. Jack was no.
where 70 be seen, and she drove back in the
chill pray morning with the heaviest hea It
she had known for many days.
"Ethel :" said her mother at break fast the
next mortipg, .'did you have a pleasant
tina at the Warrinptons' ?"
..Oh, yes, mamma,' said Ethel, drearily.
She was pale and heavy eyed; 1 think she
had not slept all night.
'Apd who were there" went on Mrs.
Mariner, helping herself to buttsred eggs
With CHEEKY briskness.
E-bel enumerated various people. "And