The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-01
HER LIEUTENANT.

Young DIR. westerfield hurried from Pad
dington station, and in quarter of an hour
he was at home.
my dear Arthur exclaimed Mrs. Wes-
terrified. She put down her pen and drop
ped the blotting pad hastily over some writ
ing. "ldidn't expect you until tomorrow"
Westerield stopped and kissed his wife.
.rll go back if you like, sweet"
Hecalled her sweet because her name was
Ermyntrude. Besides he was quite young
husband.
II had an engagement for tonight" she
said thoughtfully. Ihad better put it off,"
mot at all. shall be out at that lecture"
"Goodp' with an air of relief. whats
your book therei Let me look at it."
Better not, dear 1 only bought it just
to kill time"
Sounds like a criminal offense."
ITO read many of these things" said
Westerield, taking away the French novel,
"is to get vague impression that there is
no honesty or sincerity in the world; that
every household is a menage trois."
II know what you mean. My new book
will have nothing of that in it."
IF it respects the proprieties," remarked
Westerfeld, people will think that a man
has written it."
II can't help wishing had knocked about
more, SAID Mrs. WeSterneld thoughtIully.
Knocked who aboutf"
''There are such lot of situations in life
that have never experienced. Now, a man
can run about and go just where he pleases."
Pm afraid it can't be remedied, DEAR"
he said
''That's just why I'm grumbling. I've
been down in the east end while you have
been away"
Not alone, hopper"
"Oh, no, dear No. Not alone" Mrs wes-
terrified laughed. Il had some one to ac-
company me-"
I'm glad of that. You can't be too care
full"
That's what thought. Did your speech
60 really well at the congress? bought up
all the papers that had reports about it, 1t
seems to me, mister, that If don't hustle
you'll get more talked about than l."
II like to keep as near you as can, dear"
"Unhand me- sir, as you value your lifei"
At which challenge Westerfleld of course
came from the other side of the table and
kissed her again
In his absentminded way, westerfeld
went round TO the Roya institution after
dinner without asking Ermyntrude about
! her appointment. The lecturer did not APP
| pear, and he came back. On the table Of
his study was card.
II am going to Hammersmith with Lieu
| tenant bincham. Back late"
DR.. Westerfield went on with the novel.
At page III he suddenly stopped.
"Who the devil is Lieutenant Finchampn
| he cried
There was no one in the room to answer.
He pressed the bell.
| "MariaI'
| Eyes, SIR"
"Do you know''-he picked up the card
"do you know any one named Lieutenant
FinchamS"
Maria repressed a broad smile with diff
Guilty
"Oh, yes, SIR" Maria giggled, and coughed
little to pass 1t off. Yes, sir, quite well.
Called here two or three times since you've
been away"
ITO see your mistressf'
"Yes, sir. They had dinner together one
evening. Seemed very thick with each
other, they did. And one night a Captain
Somebody called as WELL and you should
card them two carry on"
Isis Lieutenant Fincham youngf"
"Mejum age sir. Not what | should call
exactly good looking, and, on the other
and, not bad. OF course some of 'em in
the army, as cook says, are perfect bird
frighteners. Cook used to have a young
man in the grenadiers, and he told cook
rare joke about one Of 'em. 1t appears"-
You needn't wait, Maria" He spoke
with such unexpected decision that the
maid quite started. IF your mistress comes
In, ask her to wait for me-"
Very good, sir"
zone moment, Maria Do you happen
to know to what address your mistress has
goneT
"Oh, yes, sir. know"
Give it to me at once" he said sternly.
"Come, now, let me have no prevarica-
ton. This is matter of nearly life and
death"
Cav bless my soulp' said Maria, with a
confused, hurried manner. Fancy it com
ing to thisl'
Give me the address, ! say"
Maria gave the address, and DIR. wester-
field took 1t down. The maid fetched his
coat and hat
II am going out, Carey" DR.. Wester-
field was stopped at the door by "a friend.
81 am just off to Hammersmith to make
some inquiries"
"Ill come with you" said Mr.. Carey.
1--WE only just finished work at the Tenn
Pile, and | was calling to ask when you
were expected home. l know Mrs. West
eriield sees scarcely anybody while you are
away"
Scarcely anybody"
II liked her last book" went on Mr.
Carey. What will the next be lkefn
1T ought to be very lively" said Yves
terileld as calmly as he could. she seemi
to be taking II lot Of trouble over it,
He caught sight of his reflection In a mir
ror in the hall. We are not all of militia
ry appearance, and it occurred swiftly Il
Westerfield that he possessed distinctly
civilian style of features.
As the hanson went along Hammer
smith way Westeriield thought out tn
first speech to be addressed to his erran
wife.
My wife has gone out said Westerfield
leaning over the splashboard, ION som
business, and"-
She is deuce of one to work" sal
Mr. Carey. Last time l met her she eros
examined me on certain points Of law, an
/ found at the end that | had told hi
} nearly all l knew"
( "The information is sure to be useful I
, her." said the other grmly II want I
! ask you something. II you want separi
ton from your wife, how would you S,
about itf'
las I'm not married y said Mr.. Care,
u looking at the white ash Of his cigar, "thel
is no immediate necessity for me to get
Divorce
+ Il don't mean you in particular" sal
Westertcld, with some impotence
mean anybody. Surprising l wanted to &
rid Of my partner"
: ITS a very odd thing, old chap" sa
= Mr.. Carey, but hat is precisely the que
+ tion, word for word, that Mrs, Westerlie