The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-08-03
A LAST RESORT.
by ANTHONY HOPE.

ny ANTHONY HOPE.
'"They're admirably suited to ono an
othcr!' said l.
''Oh, =dmirably!' said Cousin Flo.
There was pause; Flo frowned at
the fire, drnmmed my fingers on the
table. Idon't think that we either Of
us looked very pleased. Yet it was a
nest fortunate arrangement.
'"Ibe only thing that surprises me
about it, observed, lis that Philippa
should have done it. I'm very glad, yon
know, but I'm surprised"
I'm not surprised about herr said
Flo.
looked up, much annoyed.
You might be above THAR said 1
severely.
I'm not blaming her, Dick. When
he likes, Capt. Worslcy can be very"
"Oh, suppose he humbugged her.
about culture aud all that If I'd liked
to go on like that"
We'll, Dick?''
''Oh, nothing Don't worry fell
lo,v!"
'.Tm sure that Capt. worsley did
nothing that a gentleman wouldn't"
that said to Flo:
He got over his disappointment
about you pretty soon. Thought
Flo laughed with extraordinary nom
chalance as she answered:
''Philippa doesn't seem to have been
disappointed at all about you.''
My dear Florence" said I, II have
yon.'
''We1l, then, why did you begin
about Capt. Worsley?"
''Come, come. let's say no more about
them. We're we'll quit of them. l
don't bear them malice, do yo',?''
Not the least, Dick. In fact, quite
| understa nd what Philippe must have
felt about you. She likes serious peo-
ple.-people who have high aims, you
know
II have very high aims" said I.
Eyes, but you don't hit," observed
Flo. .
AT any rate,"I cried, II don't hirt
wholesale with anybody who"
what do you mean, Dick?'
AT this portland very fortunate
was the occurrence-AuntM Maud came
in. She has been married to the
colonel for three months, and is recov-
ering her power of patronizing persons
who are engaged.
''Im sorry to interrupt you. dears,' -
said Aunt Maud, but I've got piece
of news. An engagement! Now guess
who it is!''
We neither of US spoke.
''Why, Philippa March and Capt.
Worsley! Aren't you surprised"
mo" said Flo, viciously; but Dick
is
''The precise opposite Of that state
1nent would convey the TRUTH said I,
stifhy.
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 more radiant couple"
At this moment Aunt Maud certainly
saw a less radiant couple.
''Philippa took me aside" she pur-
sued, land told me that she had es-
capped great danger"
Flo laughed-again most viciously.
''And was now happier than words.
Oh! and when Capt. Worslcy was put
ting me into the carriage, he said that
Philippa was absolutely the only girl
who had ever really touched his heart. "
did he, though?' said I, with a
smile of triumphant malice.
''Though he didn't deny that he had
felt passing fancy for one or two
Others
Islapped my thigh, with an appear
ance Of great merriment. Flo had be-
como quite red.
beamed Aunt Maud. Its quite"
"My dear Dick, what Q funny thing
to say! But must leave Flo to have
that out with you. The colonels witt
ing for me-
Aunt Maud Withdrew. Then Flo,
with an air of dispassionate curiosity.
Observed:
IT wonder if you think you've been
behaving like q gentleman"
MY position; said I, with elaborate
politeness. lis rather a difficult one.
When the lady who has accepted my
hand not only displays obvious regret
at another mans engagement, but
further twits me-
with your obvious regret at another
girls engagement Yes?"
81 see no use in this sort of thing"
said !, with dignity. Nothing else oc-
Cured to me to say at the moment
people always say that when they're
scored or"
ri hate girls who talk slang"