Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-10-05
A PRACTICAL JOKE.
BY f. &. PHILIPS.

It did not end happily, not for Harry
seymour, that is to say; but 1t provided
some excellent entertainment while it
lasted, and is talked about in Wickets-
field to-day We were all of US staying
in Wichetsfeld, and Seymour had
fallen a victim to the destinations of
Miss Norah Cardonnel possibly because
Wicketsfield is dull little watering
place, and there was nothing else to
DO; possibly because he knew, or at
least suspected, that she was worshiped
by Stephen Lam BIS worthy, and Stephen
Lam bsworthy was his especial bette
--ncire.
do not want to attribute unworthy
motives to him; as matter of fact, /
sliked him very much; so let us give
him the benefit of the doubt, and say
.he had grown to adore Miss Cardonnel
because Miss Cardonnel was adorable.
Anyhow it was plain that he was hope
iessly in love, and though l had been
Shonored by Lambsworthy's confidence
>in the matter, l personally did not give
much for his chances.
No two fellows could possibly have
been more unlike than Stephen and
Harry Seymour. Harry, dashing, good
ahumored, high spirited and handsome;
Stephen, meek, nervous and with next
ito nothing to say for himself That
both we're very young was their only
point of reSem Dlance. thought [ had
gagged Miss Cardonne1's character SUI
iciently to prophesy which of her adj
mirers would be accepted, presuming
they both proposed, and l confess
Il lad ST0la cd
such strong irritation at the news that
1LambSworthy was expected on the
scene.
''Confound him!' he said, what does
ne want here? Can't he read in town
just as weu?" eve were supposed to
be examining for an exam, the three
Of u.s. What does he want to come
bothering here for?"
We'll, you forget" L said; Lambs
worthy may be said to be the discov-
erer of Wicketsfeld. AT all events,
neither you nor l would ever have
come down here if it had not been that
he was always talking about 1t. We
should never even have known the
Cardonnels but for him-remember
that"
Seymour growled. 1t was fact that
Lam bsworthy had introduced US to
them, and Harry never cared TO be re-
minded of it.
Il don't want him., he said; II don't
get on with him; he is your friend, not
mine, and he bores me. He is like d
young lady, and he wears spectacles.
HE wears spectacles because he is
short-sighted," l observed; and as to
being like a young lady, that is all rot,
Seymour. Anyhow, if he is such a
complete duffer, why need you mind
his coming?o
What do you mean?" asked Harry,
sharply.
You are annoyed at his arrival be-
cause you are afraid you may find your
nose out of joint when he appears. l
say if he is such duffer why need you
be alarmed?"
.Oh! pooh, pooh, rubbish" said Sey-
mour. Il afraid of Stephen Lambs
worthy? That is too rich!-that is
really tunny!'' He made loud noise
which | understood was meant to rep
resent laughter. You won't beat that
if you talk for month. Ha, ha, ha!
Why, you don't mean to tell me you
suppose for a single instant that a girl
like Miss Cardonnel would seriously
consider throwing herself away on a
noodle like Lam bsworthy?- habby,
invertebrate, feeble, faltering bundle
of nerves like Lambsworthy! Good
Heavens! Afraid! Afraid of LAM s-
worthy! Ha, ha, hal
We'll, that's all right" | said; II
am glad for your sake you are SO conf
dent l assume, however, that you
won't deny she encouraged him when
we all came down here? Because l
SAW her with you, and l saw her with
him, and | say she did!''
''She fiirted with him. said Sev-
amour, tolerantly; 'she hirted with him
"a little, yes! Why not? A girl must
samuse herself. l do not complain of
that"
That's lucky" replied; singular
ly fortunate-for your own peace of
us tomorrow. He wants me to look
out for room for him"
Cannot our landlady accommodate
the gentleman"
NO" l said, ''she cau't-not with a
bedroom, that is! He will come in
here to meals, of course, but he will
have to sleep out of the house,
Seymour shrugged his shoulders, as
much as to say that he was really in
different as TO the arrangements, and
lounged away in the direction of the
Parade, where l have no doubt he ex-
pected to meet the Cardonnels, as was
his daily custom.
/ am ashamed to say that neglected
to engage a shakedown for Lambs
worthy that afternoon, and, as he az,