The Van Buren press., 1895-07-27
A LAST RESORT.
by ANTHONY HOPE.

BY ANTHONY HOPE.
'They're admirably suited to one an.
other!" said l.
'sOh, admirablyl" said Cousin Flo
There was pause; Flo frowned al
the fire, drummed my fingers on the
table. Idon't think that we either Of
us looked very pleased. Yet 1t was a
most fortunate arrangement.
"Tbe only thing that surprises me
about it," observed, "is that Philippa
should have done 1t. I'm very glad. you
know, but I'm surprisedr'
I'm not surprised about herl" said
Flo. Et
looked up, much annoyed.
"You might be above thatl" said
severely.
'Tm not blaming her, Dick. When
he likes, Capt. Worsley can be very
"Oh, I suppose he humbugged her
about culture and all that If Pdlikcd
TO go on like that"
well, Dick9' $3.50 5zazs-
"Oh, nothing. Don't worry = fer
low!"
"rm sure that Capt Worsley did
nothing that = gentleman wouldn't"
was much annoyed ct this remarI
that said to Flo;
He got over his disappointment
about you pretty soon, thought"
Flo laughed with extraordinary non
chalance as she answered:
"Philippa doesn't seem to have beer
disappointed at all about you"
my dear Florence" said I, II have
no desire to discuss Miss March with
you" i'ItA ts p
"Well, then, why did you begin
about Capt Worsley?"
| Come, come. let's say no more about
them. We're we'll quit of them.
don't bear them malice, do your
mot the least, Dick. In fact, quite
understand what Philippa 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," cried, II don't flirt
wholesale with anybody who"
what do you mean, Dick?"
At this point-and very fortunate
was the occurrence-Aunt Maud came
in. She has been married to the
colonel for three months, and Is recov'
ering her power Of patronizing person.
who are engaged.
'T'm sorry to interrupt you. dears,'
said Aunt Maud, "but I've got piece
of news. An engagement! Now guess
who 1t isr'
We neither of us spoke.
why, Philippa March and Capt
Worsleyl Aren't you surprised?"
mo-" said Flo, viciously; "but Dicl
is" ltfLr 'tt3
"The precise opposite Of that state
ment would convey the truth" said l.
stiffiy.
Aunt Maud looked from Flo to me
and from me TO Flo.
"Has anything gone wrongP she
asked, anxiously But as she obtained
no answer, she went on: i've been to
sec Philippa-and he was there.
never saw more radisnt couple"
At this moment Aunt Maud certainly
saw q less radiant couple. s-s'--''r--
"Philippa took me aside" she pur'
sued, "and told me that she had cs.
capped a great danger" 9 81.
Flo laughed--again most viciously.
"And was now happier than words.
Obi and when Capt Worsley was put
ting me into the carriage, he said thaf
Philippe was absolutely the only girl
who had ever really touched his heart. "
Ibid he, thought" said l, with a
smile of triumphant malice.
Though he didn't deny that ne had
felt a passing fancy for one or two
others"
I slapped my thigh, with an appear
ance of great merriment' FLO naa De-
come quite red. ,
ESQ the airs full Of engagements,
beamed Aunt Maud. "It's quite
..stifing," said l, thoughtlessly.
"Mv dear Dick, what a funny thing
to sayl But must leave Flo to nave
that out with you. Tho coloners wait
ing for me-" r. r,o
with an air Of dispassionate curiosity
observed: ...,
II wonder If you think you've been
behaving. like gentlemanr
"My position" said l. with elauoraso
noliteness, ''is rather difficult one.
when the lady who has accepted my
hand not only displays obvious regret
at % another mans engagement but
further twits mo"
.sWith your obvious regret at another
girl's engagement. Yes9" ,
s 81 see no use in this sort Of thing
said I, with dignity. Nothing else 0c'
cured to me to say at the moment
people always say that when 'ney' 70
scored of.