The state herald., 1890-08-29
CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

somebody know OF this night, II 1t
were not for her expensive habits"
Pooh! she wouldn't have YOU"
laughed Ola, scornfully. her own
dainty tea-gown rather giving point to
what Bryce had said. "She'd think It
altogether too great task to DO bur.
dened with such a husband as you
would make. Think OF the cigarettes
you fumigato the house with, the to.
bacco you dcvour. and land every.
thing."'
That's It. Miss Ola, give It to him."
put In Phinnie St. John, who had a
firm belief In what his mother often
told him. 'Phineas. you've got the
stuff in your pockets to carry you
through" and therefore did not care
how empty Of STUFF his head might
be.
"Cigarsttes!. repeated Bryce. max
ing pair of big round eyes at Miss
Fiske. Cigarettes! Better say some
thing about ten. That's the third cup
you've taken this evening, Miss Olivette
Fiske."
II don't care 1t 1t is." rctorted Ola,
with careless serenity. Tea is fash.
ionable nowadays, and how much do
you imbibe Of It yourself. MIR. Thornep
You drink far more tea than do,
doesn't he, Mrs. Doane?"
Mrs. DoAne's smile was perfectly non
committal; she was that rarity. a land
lady who pleased all her boarders,
smiling as swectly on Phinnie st. John
when she said to her, with charming
clearness, II can sling rs much fod.
der down my trunk rs the next man."
MS upon Mrs. Livelign, who was lady
80 Perfect that no one dared address
her for fear Of making nm error in
grammar. or committing u breach OF
etiquette.
MRS. Doane, do l drink as much
tea as Miss Fiske?" appealed Bryce,
who seemed much hurt by the accusa-
ton.
Il really do not know" stammered
Mrs. Doane, who would not for worlds
express an opinion concerning any of
her boarders' appetites.
"Of course not-nobody knows it."
resumed Bryce swelling up pompously.
miss Olivette. consider that you
have slandered me foully, while you
why, you haven't even the face to
deny that you have drank three cups
Of ten this EVENING""
Bryce Thorne, I'll pledge myself to
leave of drinking tea II you will. I'll
wager n napkin-ring that you will
break your pledge before do"
"Hear. hear! A beta bct!" cried
Phinnie st. John. brilliantly.
'I'll take you up on that. I'll bet
. ring that you will take the first
draught."
"A napkin-ring. | said." returned
OLA, coloring slightly.
VERY wcll-you. all hear!" cried
Bryce. turning to n table full of sm;l-
ing boarders. Watch the pantry,
Mrs. Doanc."
mot l." returned she. "If OLA
gets hungry she can 60 to the pantry
any timc she likes
Cant IP" exclaimed Bryce in great
establishment.
"Of course" assented Mrs. Doane.
by Jove! you'll both need watch
ing!" cried Phinnie St. John. And
as have nothing to do, I'm the one to
do it,"
Dear me. Mrs. Doane, sha'n't put
a paddock on the pantry door?n sug-
gested Mr.. Shylock. who was car
penter bowling politely to his land
lady.
After this Ola was obliged to take
water Mt nil the little tea-partics where
she was invited. and her pretty tea.
gowns seemed almost mockcry to
her.
Bryce Thorne and Phinnic st. Johu
followed her about, too. telling the
-. l.
were laughing. knowing well how
much She loved cheering cup. and
how delighted the two young men
were with this opportunity Of lingering
In tho wake Of pretty Ola.
oh. you'll sec me around with
napkin ring hanging TO my watch.
chain. before long" Bryce would
say. II don't care a thing about the
the stuff. you know"
And Phinnie watched and watched
until he grew weary, and began to
lose faith In the stuff In his pockets.
fearing that It would fail To bring him
all the prizes Of his life after all.
One day he communicated the Joy
Gus intelligence to them at luncheon.
I'm obliged to 20 away this after
noon. Some Of the rest Of you will
have to watch our two tca-,lrinkcrs."
Nobody volunteered. aud Phincas
did not seem In the least disappointed.
Ola was copyist, who did her
work In her own room, and, toward
dusk, her manuscript all daintlly finish
ed she sauntcred down into the sit
ting-room.
No one was there. Mrs. Doano was
a.. Il
sist great temptation.
IN 60 down into the kitchen and
make me cup Of tea. she laughed to
herself. My head aches 80 from that
everlasting writing. AMI Bryce Thorno
will never know"
Ten minutes later the teapot was
stcaming away gloriously upon tho
range and the fumes OF Olla's favoritc
green beverage pcrvadcd NIL the air.
Horrors! There was sound Of rush.
Ing footsteps along the hall.
Il could bc nobody but Bryce Thorne.
for no one else could get away from
business Mt that hour.
Ola had jus, ,imo TO thrust tho tea
pot back Into the dark corner where II
was usually kept by Mrs. Doane.
The door opened. and Ola. from tho
corner where she had taken refuge.
could see Mr. Thorne pcering cautious
" around.
Hc entered. and. advancing to the
cupboard. he thrust his hand Into tho
very corner which held the teapot.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Aud then:
'Oh. my soul! rve taken Il red.
H. l. LII al.