The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1897-10-14

horror. I had seen the face and It
wasn't my little girl at all, but her
mother, old Mrs. Templeton. Heaven
KNOWS what had possessed her to do
what she did; but she had done it. l
absolutely gasped with embarrassment,
and began stammering all sorts of mis-
cradle apologies, finally hurting out
X a double-dyed idiot, as l was. Il
didn't didn't know-it-was-you!"
Who did you think 1t WASP
That was all the old lady said, but
she SAID 1t with a north pole sort Of
deadly composure that set me SILVER
ing to my vitals with q cold perspira-
ton. I saw In On instant that I had
betrayed everything, SO 1 plunged
deeper into complete imbecility. My
dear Mrs. Templeton, l didn't exactly
mean that. I'm sure I didn't mean any
tnlng, but l was SO startled-I-I-
fact is, I'm not at all we'll this even
ing. Please give my compliments to
Miss Templeton, and say 1 was not
feeling well. and had to leave without
seeing her. Good EVENING" With that
fairly ran out Of the room and the
house. BY the way 1 left that cant
o like so much at the house, but I'm
satisfied so long as I got out alive.
NOW, dc you think I shall do any more
calling at the Templeton's?"
Ii Jack was expecting either YIN
pathy or advice, now that his story
was told, he certainly got neither ar
ticle from Archie, who broke out into
a peal OF laughter that attracted the
wondering attention OF every one In
the room, and even startled the sedate
walters.
L really beg your pardon, old man."
he said, when he could finally speak,
"Eut there is a tremendous funny side
10 your adventure. Honestly, my dear
Jack, I'm not laughing at you, but just
think Of making such an awful break
with old lady Templeton! Why, she's
the main brace and chief pillar in DR..
Barton's church. and this is her first
scandal in her long and highly re-
spectacle career!"
Jack gazed ruefully at Archie.
We'll" he sighed, I daresay there is
something funny about it-for some
body else. But how about me-and
her? What shall 1 do?'
do? Do nothing, old man. was
the hilarious rejoinder. You're all
right, and I'll bet a hat Oh it. You
just keep quiet and wait. Meanwhile
trust to me to keep num-"
When Jack reached his bachelor
quarters that night he found this note
awaiting him:
West Fifty-frst Street.
My Dear Jack:-What did vol do to
mamma the other night? l came down.
stairs and found her in the drawing
room instead of you. The gentleman
you call Jack (rather familiar it seems
to mel is ILL.," she said. "At least, he
told me so, and he asked me to present
his apologies for not waiting to see
you" OF course, l was %dreadfully
frightened, bit mamma said she was
sure the illness was not in any way
dangerous, BECAUSE she knew What
caused it. Were you really very iii,
Jack? Do you know, mamma was
just as sweet as she could be about it.
She comforted me, and said l should
write this note to you, with her COM
pliments,"-she was very particular
about my putting that into ask you
to call at the house tomorrow morning.
She says she wants to talk to you about
your illness (she told me to be sure to
underline that world: And, Jack, she
actually said she has been looking lip
your record, and she is convinced you
are a much better young man than she
has been led to believe.
You will call tomorrow, as early as
possible; wont you, Jack? / shall have
lots to tell you. Always Yours,
December 16. 1895. GRACE.
Il rather guess there will be a good
deal tc tell all around in that house
when I get there" thought Jack, as he
performed some foolishness over the
little note. IT don't Understand A bit
what Mrs. Templeton is driving at, but
I'll call to see her tomorrow, with my
life in my hands, if the heavens don't
fall in the meantime"
Jack, at the present writing, is a
"deeent sitizstJ. 1T any fate" and a
married one. He recovered that cane
from the. Templeton house some time
ago, by the by, and Archie is carrying
1t now as a gentle reminder that GER
tain, things are hot to be discussed out
side OF certain Circles. Archie, also,
has a hat more than usual in his COL
lection of headgear.