Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-12
HER LIEUTENANT.

Young Dr. Westerfield hurried from Pad
dington station, and in a quarter of an hour
he was at home.
MY dear Arthur exclaimed Mrs. Yves.
terfield She put down her pen and drop
ped the blotting pad hastily over some writ
ing "ldidn't expect you until tomorrow
Westerfeld stopped and kissed his wife.
"1'll go back if you like. sweet"
Hecalled her sweet because her name was
Ermyntrude. Besides he was quite young
husband.
said thoughtfully | had better put it off. F"
mot at all. shall be out at that lecture"
"Goodl' with an air of relief. whats
your book there? Let me look at it,"
Better not, dear. l only bought it just
to kill time
Sounds like a criminal offense."
ITO read many of these things" said
Westerfeld, taking away the French novel,
lis to get vague impression that there is
no honesty or sincerity in the world; that
every household is menage a trois."
II know what you mean. My new book
will have nothing of that in it."
"lf it respects the proprieties," remarked
Westerfield, people will think that a man
has written it,"
~ can't help wishing had knocked about
more" said Mrs. Westeriield thoughtfully.
knocked who aboutW
'There are such a lot of situations in life
that have neverexperienced. Now, n man
can run about and go just where he pleases.
I'm afraid it can't be remedied, DEAR"
he said
that's just why Pm grumbling. I've
been down in the east end while you have
been away"
Not alone hope?"
"Oh, no, dear. No. Not alone" Mrs. Yves.
terrified laughed. II had some one to &C
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 l 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 lifel"
At which challenge Westerfeld of course
came from the other side of the table and
kissed her again
In his absentminded way, Westerfcld
went round to the Royal institution after
dinner without asking Ermyntrude about
her appointment. The lecturer did not ap,
pear, and he came back. On the table of
his study was card.
II am going to Hammersmith with Lieu
tenant Fincham Back late"
DR.. Westerlield went on with the novel.
At page III he suddenly stopped.
WHO the devil is Lieutenant Fincham?"
be cried
There was no one in the room to answer,
He pressed the bell
"Mariap
YES sir"
DO you know"-he picked up the card
do you know any one named Lieutenant
Fincham?"
Maria repressed a broad smile with diff
Guilty.
"Oh, yes. sir" Maria giggled, and coughed
little to pass it off. "Yes, sir, quite well.
Called here two or three times since you've
been away"
TO see your mistress?"
YES, sir They had dinner together one
evening. Seemed very thick with each
other, they did. And one night Captain
Somebody called as we'll, and you should
card them two carry on"
isis Lieutenant Fincham young?"
"Mejum age, sir Not what ! should cal!
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 young
man in the grenadcrs, 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. "lf your mistress comes
in, ask her to wait for me.
"Very good, sir"
"One moment, Maria. DO you happen
to know to what address your mistress has
gomez"
"Oh, yes, sir. know"
"Give it to me at once," be said sternly
Come, now, let me have no prevarica
ton. This is matter of nearly life and
death"
"Gaw bless my soull" said Maria, with g
confused, Hurried manner. Fancy it com
ing to thisp'
give me the address, l say"
Maria gave the address, and DR.. Wester
field took It down. The maid fetched hi.
coat and hat.
II am going out, Carey" DR.. Wester
field was stopped at the door by u friend
~ am just off to Hammersmith to make
some inquiries"
"Tll come with you," said Mr.. Carey
1--WE only just finished work at the Tenn
pie, and I was calling to ask when yor
were expected home. ! know Mrs. West
erfleld sees scarcely anybody while you ar.
away"
Scarcely anybody"
II liked her last book" went on Mr.
Carey. "What will the next be likei"
ut ought to be very lively" said Yves
terHeld as calmly as he could. "She SEEM
to he taking lot Of trouble over It,"
He caught sight of his reflection in mir
ror in the hall. We are not all Of militia
~ appearance, and it occurred swiftly t
| Westerfeld that he possessed distinctly I
civilian style Of features.
As the hanson went along Hammer
smith way Westerfield thought out th,
first speech to be addressed to his erran
wife
my wife has gone out. !" said Westerfleld