The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-10-04
A PRACTICAL JOKE.
By +. q. PHILIPS.

1t did not end happily, not for Harry
Seymour, that is to say; but 1t provided
some excellent entertainment while i
lasted, and is talked about in Wickets
field to-day. We were all of us staying
in Wicketsfeld, and Seymour had
fallen a victim to the destinations OF
Miss Norah Cardonnel; possibly because
Wicketsfeld 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 trustworthy, and Stephen
Lambsworthy was his especial bette
noire.
do not want to attribute unworthy
motives to him; as a matter of fact, |
liked 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 adora BILE.
Anyhow it was plain that he was hope
lessly in love, and though had been
honored by Lambsworthy's confidence
in the matter, 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
humored. high spirited and handsome:
Stephen. meek, nervous and with next
to nothing to say for himself. That
both were very young was their only
point of resem plance. Thought had
gagged Miss Cardonnels character suf-
fciently to prophesy which of her add
mirers would be accepted, presuming
they both proposed, and | confess I
was startled when Seymour displayed
such strong irritation at the news that
Lambsworthy was expected ON the
scene.
"Confound him. he said, what does
he want here? Can't he read in town
just as well?' 1--WE were supposed to
be era mining for an exam, the three
OF US What does he want to come
bothering here FORE"
Well, you forget" | said; Lambs
worthy may be said to be the discov-
erer of Wicketsield. At all events.
neither you nor | 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 Der |
that"
Seymour growled. 1t was fact that |
had introduced us to |
them, and Harry never cared 10 be re-
minded of it.
Il don't want him., he said: 81 don't
ret on with him; he is your friend, not
nine, and he bores me. He is like
Young lady, and he wears spectacles. "
He wears spectacles because he is
'hort-sighted," observed; "and as to
being like a young lady, that is all rot,
SEYMOUR Anyhow, if he is such
complete duffer, why need you mind
lis coming?"
What do you mean?' asked Harry,
harply.
You are annoyed at his arrival be-
ause you are afraid you may find your
lose out of joint when he appears. |
ay If he Is such a duffer why need you
e alarmed?"
''oh! pooh. pooh, rubbish" said Sey-
lour. II afraid of Stephen Lambs
7orthy? That is too richl-that is
eally funny!' He made loud noise,
'hich l understood was meant to rep
esent laughter. You won't beat that
you talk for month. Ha, ha, ha!
fhy, you don't mean to tell me you
oppose for single instant that a girl
Ike Miss Cardonnel would seriously {
onsider throwing herself away on a {
oodle like Lambsworthy?-a fiabby, i
vertebrate, feeble, faltering bundle '
nerves like Lambsworthy!. Good I
eavensl Afraid Afraid Of Lambs @
orthy! Ha. ha, hap' +
We'll, that's all right" / said; ~ b
q glad for your sake you are so conf il
mt assume, however, that you
ont deny she encouraged him when L
e all came down here? Because v
" her with you, and l saw her with
m, and l say she didI' f
she fiirted with him." said Sey- b
our. tolerantly; "she fiirted with him e
little. yesl Why not? A girl must a
muse herself l do not complain of "
at o
That's lucky Ireplied; singular
fortunate-for your own peace of L
nd His letter says he will be with o.