Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-10-03
A PRACTICAL JOKE.
BY f. q. PHILIPS.

NNoS
Seymour, that is to say; built provided
some excellent entertainment while it
lasted, and is talked about in Wickets-
field to-day. We were all of us staying
in Wicketsfeld, and Seymour had
fallen victim to the destinations of
Miss Norah Cardonnel; possibly because
Wicketsfeld is a 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 Lambs worthy, 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 adorable.
Anyhow it was plain that he was hope
honored by Lambsworthy's confidence
IN the matter, 1 personally did not give
much for his chances.
No two fellows could possibly have
been more unlike than Stephen and
Harry Seymor:. 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 resemblance. Thought l had
gagged Miss Cardonnel's character suf-
fciently to prophesy which of her ad-
mirers would be accepted, presuming
they both proposed, and l confess
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?" eve were supposed to
be examining for an exam, the three
of us.) what does he want to come
bothering here for?"
well, you forget" said; Lambs
worthy may be said to be the discov-
erer' of Wicketsfield. At all events,
neither you nor l would ever have
come down here if it had not been that
he was always talking about it. We
should never even have known the
Cardonnels but for him-remember
that"
Seymour growled. 1t was fact that
Lambsworthy had introduced us to
them, and Harry never cared TO be re-
minded of it.
81 don't want him. he said; 81 don't
get on with him; he is your friend, not
mine, and he bores me. He is like a
young lady, and he wears spectacles. u
she wears spectacles because he is
Chort-sighted," observed; land as to
being like young lady, that is all rot,
Seymour! Anyhow, if he is such a
complete duffer, why need you mind
his coming?" 80.
what do you mean?" asked Harry,
sharply. %''
"You are annoyed at his arrival be.
cause you are afraid you may find your
nose out of joint when he appears.
say if he is such duffer why need you
be alarmed?"
''Oh! pooh, pooh, rubbishw said Sey'
mour. II afraid of Stephen Lambs
worthy? That is too rich!-that il
really funny" He made loud noise
which l understood was meant to rep
resent laughter You won't beat that
ifyou talk for month. Ha, ha, ha
Why, you don't mean to tell me you
suppose for a single instant that cir.
like Miss Cardonnel would seriously
consider throwing herself away on q
noodle like Lambsworthy?-a fabby
invertebrate, feeble, faltering bundle
snf 1cy nrth
Heavens! Afraid! Afraid of Lambs
worthy! Ia, ha, ha!'
well, that's all right" said; 90.
am glad for your sake you are so conf
dent. / assume, however, that you
won't deny she encouraged him wher
we all came down here? Because
saw her with you, and saw her will
him, and / say she did!" 7a
"She firted with him." said Sey
mour, tolerantly; "she fiirted with hin
little, yes! Why not? A girl mus
amuse herself. l do not complain o
that"
That's lucky" Ireplied; singular
ly fortunate-for your own peace o
mind. His letter says he will be will
us Tomorrow. He wants me to lool
out for room for him."
Cannot our landlady accommodat
the gentleman?"
"No," said, ''she can't-not with
bedroom, that is! He will come i
here to meals, of course, but he viii
have to sleep out of the house."
Seymour shrugged his shoulders, a
much as to say that he was really il
different as to the arrangements. an
lounged away in the direction of tn
Parade, where l have no doubt he ea
pected to meet the Cardonnels, as wa
his daily custom.
! am ashamed to say that neglecte
TO engage shakedown for Lambs
worthy that afternoon, and, as he q