The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-09-20
CAPTAIN JESSOP.


was introduced to Captain Jessop one
day on the polo field after had been about
afortnight at Cairo. Netty Armstrong and
! had ridden down there-Nctty on a
pretty little pony she had bought, and 1 on
an excessively i'll hammered hireling.
Captain Jessop was very tall, good
looking young fellow, with a considerable
amount Of swagger. He went to all the
dances, and had once had the felicity Of
leaving yard Of new dress on his spur.
He was the best polo player in his regi-
ment; had distinguished himself at the
last gyfnkhana; occasionally drove the
coach, and was at present No. In
the favor Of a Miss Creagh, the richest,
prettiest and most sought after girl in
Cairo. In fact, he was parsonage and
felt quito uplifted by the introduction.
Don't come too near, please, said
anxiously as my pony made a vicious dart
In Captain Jessop's direction.
"What a sweet animalr' he said. "You
will be hero q little longer, / SUPPOSE
Mrs Graham wants to find her carriage. -
And five minutes later he returned
UtOut NOu U yOu COII0 anu IdVC SOIu0
tca?'' he said. "And your friend?"
'Oh, thank you very MUCH" said /.
but II 1 give this animal to small boy
70 hold, I won't be answernblo for the cen
sequences
"a boy moro or less wouldn't much
matter" said Captain Jessop. "Dixon.
we're going over to the clubhouse for ten. >"
And after my pony had originated a
y,crfor,p IF rcyolvir n;
in a small space, diversified by an effort to
take short cut for home across one polo
ground and an inclination to roll in tho
other, which was under water, we pro-
crossed very successfully.
"Jessop," shouted somebody, "aren't
you going to play in this quarter" But
Captain Jessop was at present very much
otherwise engaged.
II have played three-quarters already"
he said to Inc. "And at any rate, it isn't
likely that am going now after having
been bored to death making myself agree
able to Mrs. Graham for ages before
ventured to ask her to introduce me to
you. hope you don't think it cheek Of
me to say this, Miss Dalison, but tho fact
Is have been raising heaven and earth to
get introduced to you for the last three
weeks"
"That is very strange" said L
"Strange that I should wish to know
your"
"Oh, no. It was only what you said of
three weeks that surprised me, as I only
got here fortnight ago."
"There arc ono or two things could
say in answer to that, " he returned, not in
the least abashed. "But here we are. Wal
lad, come here. What on earth is the OPP
posite Of 'Moush quiesg' Husan badla
moush quies. Don't let it near other hui
sans, do you see2''
But having dismounted, my steed, with
a wicked squeal, dashed open mouthed at
Netty's, dragging tho little boy with it,
and we had to secure a larger individual
before we departed.
Our small ten party WIS great success.
Even Captain Dixon became quite jovial.
Afterward Captain Jessop insisted on
their being allowed to escort us home, i'm
pressing Captain Dixon, who was most I'M
willing, into the service We went the
long way, rs my new friend was certain
that my brute would be the better for some
extra exercise and as we left Ghezirch wo
were passed by Miss Creagh and another
girl riding home from polo unescorted. I
thought she looked little surprised, but
Captain Jessop was not in the least per-
turbed and took off his hat with an en-
gaging smile.
He was no laggard, this young man, and
we got on with bewildering rapidity. BY
the time we reached the Continental he
had asked leave to call; had offered me q
mount for any or every day; had tried to
get me to promise him at least three dances
that evening, and had implied that l was
the only oasis in the desert of Cairo society.
II dare say you think I am fool" he
said tenderly about the time we passed the
Mena stables, "but I,pan always tell ut q
glance whether q person will be sympatica
to me or not. OF course can't hope that
you feel the same, but you won't refuse to
be friends, will your One doesn't make
SO many real friends in this world
Here he sighed heavily, and we reached
the Continental.
There was not much time to dress for
dinner, with O view to the dance after
ward, for Cairo dances are nothing if they
are not early, and the continental ones be-
gun at about half past 9. Consequently
Netty and I had not time to exchange q
word alone till we went up to bed
"Well," she siid imprcssively, seating
herself on my bed and surveying me, II
hope you have enjoyed your evening more
than Miss Creagh did hers. Did Captain
Jessop ask her to dance at alp"
smiled serenely and suggested that
Netty might unlace my dress if she was
doing nothing. 1 cannot say that Miss
Creagh weighed Ct all heavily on my con-
science. She took to herself airs ard
would have nothing to say to girls.
"Hc told me he liked Miss Creagh very
well. But sho never was great friend Of
his, said mildly.
"He's the greatest liar and the most
changeable young man in Cairo, and that's
saying good deal" returned Netty 60
verely.
my dear Netty, haven't you enjoyed
your eveningsp The chief falling can
accuse him of Is an undue propensity to
sentiment
ooh, yes, he always makes love. But
believe it's for want Of anything else to
say, and because he hasn't an idea in his
head" said Netty, continuing to deprecats
my conquest in the unkindest manner.
Has he told you that you are syInpatica
yet or that he felt as If you understood
him, and as If he could say anything to
your"
"Well, something of the kind" &C.
knowledged, beginning to laugh.
"Has he told you about his love for q
girl called Edith and conflded to you that
you were the only person he had been able
to speak of it to? No, not yeti Never mind,