The morning times., 1896-02-09
Ih0 Odd Man.

why, with Alice, OF course
..wby, what has she got to complain of?"
simply because you never came 10 the
box"
How is that ber affair."
"She says it was absurd 20 ask her 10
meet Lord Gourlay and then not give her
chance
but why should she put it on ne?''
"she doesn't unfortunately; she puts
the blame on my shoulders, said Eco, with
an injured air.
But why?'
Because you didn't comc.'
GOOD Lord! She doesn't want TO book
me, does she?''
You never can tell with these girls
said Fec. They think that everybody
belongs to them
so that's what the row is about, is it?''
said l. catching her up.
What do you inean?'' said she, showing
j was on the right track.
"Why, it is your fault, and not mine at
ALL
Yes, but it's all your fault
MY fault. indeed. / see it all now"
" See what?
You've been at your old games again,
Fec. and you try to plant itonto me"
''Plant what?" said Fec.
Ewes apple tree-f.irtation.
"rm sure / haven't-how could 1? 1t
was an uneven party, owing to your not
turning up. There was the general for
Lady Gaudy, and Tommy Lawless for Mrs.
Lock. and Lord Gourlay for Alice, and you
! 10 play"
'Be careful" said I.
"Propriety with me, of course"
HAL hal And, of course, you couldn t
play propriety by yourself, and So Poor
Alicel''
Poor Alice, indeed, y said Fec, with a
sneer; II suppose she has told you.
''She has told me nothing"
'Then how else could YOU know"
'You let 1t OUT
LET out what?"
your heart-on a repairing lease. Do you
think don't know you? Do you suppose for
| oneinstant that imagine you could spend an
evening without flrting?"
II was my turn To be indignant.
II didn't flirt,'' said Fec.
'Then why have you quarreled with
AIice?r
"ohl these girls get ideas into their head
If ycu only look at a man"
~ know that look."
Prank, you know perfectly we'll"
THAT Lord Gourlay knows it, too!''
zone has to entertain ones guests"
"What about poor Alice? Why did not you
think about her?"
"I did. Iaskeli Lord Gourlay To meet her -
And then quietly appropriated him 10
| yourself
"I did not--I swear Cid not! But these
| boys"
"ohl First it was my fault. and now
| tits Lord Gourlay's fault. There is moth
| ing so confusing as q return TO first prin
| ciples."
Just because / was sitting all alone
| with no one TO talk to
And letting him see how miserable you
are when you have no one to flirt with"
said I. initiating her injured tone OF voice.
'He WAS hound TO lie commonly polite 10
his hostess
| And leave Alice TO twid1le her thumbs?''
why did not she keep him to herself?
| You know hate boys"
Il know you hate girls
''I rather liked Alice
$50 did Lord Gourlay."
Till you spoiled it ALL"
"I?''
Yes, you. If you had not forgotten
say forgotten-your promise TO come
around to our box should never have
| quarreled with Alice
"Or fIirted with Lord Gourlay.'
AND they nigh have been enga gednow-'
Like you and I were?'
a.
There, there, don't cry
Then why-do-you b-b-ulIy me?''
II don't bully you.
What was left of the little lace handker-
chief was rolled into The size OF racquet
| BAH and squeezed into her left eye.
when you see ] am so mis-is-iserable, =
| pouted Fec.
"Because you have quarreied with Alice?''
Because l treated You so badly" Fec
| is clever.
t'If you make your eyes red, your husband
will think he has not been paying you suf-
| ficent attention.
Eyes. poor George" said Fec.
And, now, what about AlIce?' said l.
J consoling her.
| That's what want you to arrange
| ''But how?' / had her hand in mine.
''Why, make love to her," said Fec,
ling feebly.
To Alice? And this from you. Feo?"
| "Yes, she viii think it makes me Jealous.
| "And Lord Gourlay?'
''oh. 1t viii make him jealous too
"And then we shall all be friends again.
''There is nothing like rivalry to promote
1 love-" said Eco.
~ was once your husbands rival" said
], reproachfuly.
And now he is yours said Fec, giving
little squeeze TO my hand.
When had promised not to make too vio-
lent love to Alice, went away and took
| the shreds of a little lace pocket hardker-
chief with me. thought it was perhaps
| safer, and so did Eco. That's how | got
l Ii. anywav.--Pick-Afe-I-p
promising, for your age, very promising,
| Mr. Vansitfa ri ,,