Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1895-07-16
A LAST RESORT.
by ANTHONY HOPE.

There was a pause; Flo frowned at
| the fire, drummed my fingers on the
table. don't think that we either of
us looked very pleased. Yet it was a
most fortunate arrangement.
THE only thing that surprises me
about it," | observed, lis that Philippa
should have done it. I'm very glad, you
know, but I'm surprised
lin not surprised about herl' said
Flo.
looked up, much annoyed.
You might be above that" said 1
severely.
I'm not blaming her, Dick. When
he likes, Capt. Worsley can be very"
"Oh, l suppose he humbugged her,
about culture and all that. If I'd liked
to go on like that
We'll, Dick?''
'Oh, nothing. Don't worry . fell
low"
I'm sure that Capt. Worsley did
nothing that a gentleman wouldn't"
was much annoyed at this remark
that said to Flo:
He got over his disappointment
about you pretty soon, though"
Flo laughed with extraordinary nom
chalance as she answered:
'Philippa doesn't seem to have been
disappointed at ali about you"
My dear Florence" said /, Il have
no desire to discuss Miss March with
you"
well, then, why did you begin
about Capt. Worsley?"
Come, come, let's say no more about
them. We're we'll quit of them.
don't bear them malice, do you?"
Not the least, Dick. In fact, quite
understand what Philippa must have
felt about you. She likes serious peo-
| ple-people who have high aims, you
| know
81 have very high aims" said l.
Yes, but you don't hit" observed
Flo.
AT any rate cried, Il don't fir
wholesale with anybody who"
What do you mean, Dick?"
At this point-and very fortunat,
was the COMMENSURATE Maud cam,
in. She has been married to tn,
colonel for three months, ard is recov
ering her power of patronizing persons
who are engaged.
I'm sorry to interrupt you, dears,
said Aunt Maud, but I've got piec,
of news An engagement! Now CUES
who it isl
We neither of US spoke.
why, Philippa March and Capt
Worsley Aren't you surprised?'
No." said Flo, viciously; but Dicl
is"
1.-The precise opposite of that state
ment would convey the truth" said L
stiffly.
Aunt Maud looked from Flo to me
and from me to Flo.
Has anything gone wrong?" she
asked, anxiously But as she obtained
no answer, she went on: 1--WE been to
see Philippa-and he was there.
never saw a more radiant couple"
At this moment Aunt Maud certainly
saw less radiant couple.
"Philippa took me aside" she pur
sued, land told me that she had es
capped a great danger"
Flo laughed-again most viciously.
And was now happier than words
OH and when Capt Worsley was put
ting me into the carriage, he said thai
Philippa was absolutely the only cir
who had ever really touched his heart.
did he, thought" said 1, with &
smile of triumphant malice.
Though he didn'. deny that he hat
felt a passing fancy for one or TIVE
others"
slapped my thigh, with an appear
ance of great merriment. Flo had be
come quite red.
$50 the airs full of engagements,
beamed Aunt Maud. Its quite"
Sitting" said l, thoughtlessly.
my dear Dick, what a funny thing
to say! But must leave Flo to hav
that out with You. The coloners wait
ing for me-"
Aunt Maud withdrew. Then Flo
with an air of dispassionate curiosity
observed:
Il wonder if you think you've beef
behaving like gentleman"
my position" said ], with elaborat,
politeness, lis rather difficult one
When the lady who has accepted m,
hand not only displays obvious regre
at another mans engagement, bu
further twits me-"
with your obvious regret at anothe
girls engagement. Yes?"
II see no use in this sort of thing
said l, with dignity. Nothing else oc
Cured to me to say at the moment
People always say that when they'r,
scored off.
II hate girls who talk slang"
Nobody need stay to listen to it,
said Flo, with curtsey, and she turned
her back on me, and looked out of thu
window.
sat still for three minutes. Then
stretched ont my hand, took my hat
and rose to my feet. / made .oms
little noise in moving more
than need. But Flo did not turn
round.
just fancy" said she, as though she
were enjoying conversation with the
window-pane. IF this sort of thing
happened when we were married. And
srlsas you changed very much, it--'