Orange County observer., 1898-01-06

'Oh, I've come across the type be-
tore-the irresistible, self f-complacent,
professed gallant, who never--''
Flushing scarlet, Bertha STAMPED
her foot angriIy.
II won't listen to YOU. It's dis
graceful He is-he is At all
events, | know Joan likes him-is
very fond of him, in fact. She told
me so herself And if she had to
choose between YOU and him, IN per
fectly certain which she would favor"
Here Bertha broke ont into another
high pitched giggle. "RealIv, Tom,
i M almost sorry for you. Ii you wish
70 oust Captain Moston, I can assure
YOU You'll have to get up very early
III the morning.
Inls outburst was indeed facer for
me; butt did not intend that nv tor
ment Of a sister should note its el-
fects.
Il wish YOU wouldn't be so slangv,
Bertha, 1 said. reprovinelv. 1T
shows shocking bad form in. girls. -
Thanks for the benefit of the ex
ample. 'retorted she, airily. "Only I
didn't mean it for slang, either. It's
Z piece Of advice to be taken literally.
III xplain--though you don't deserve
any such consideration from me- really.
Now listen to this. Every morning
before breakfast, Joan wanders off bv
herself through the park toward the
shrubbery, and soon afterward, by an
odd coincidence, Captain Moston also
strolls away, but invariably in the OPP
p0site direction. Now, doesn't that
strike YOU as being somewhat signi-
1icant? While yon are Laying in bed
! unless You have amended your hab
its of late mo doubt he is improving
the golden opportunities. You recol
:, le"t uncle's alage, that women are apt
| to guage mans affection by his per
sistence, especially where But
! the waltz is over, and here comes the
crowd. Ny poor Tom, truly I pity
YOU
Aud with mock solemn shake Of
i her head she was gone.
+ | mooned up into the billiard room,
/ where subsequently was badly beaten
by my 15-year-old 60. sin Harold in a
''hundred up game His hukes were
phenomenal.
Say, Tom, you're bit off color to-
night, aren't you?' he exclaimed pat
ronizinglv "Never saw you make
such rotten show in my life. But
what d@you think Of myrlav, Ell? I've
come on lot lately, haven't |? Fact
is. Captain Moston's been tipping ne
few wrinkles the last day or two.
Jolly clever chap, the captain, you
know.
| offered no comment-audl5!v.
The voungster entered into a glow
ing Geulogy of the captain : many sp!en
did accomplishments and good qu,ti.
ties, rattle to which hal neither the
desire nor the patience to hearken.
Incidentally, however, he happened tt
mention that the bedroom of the gen
tleman in question opened out Of tn,
same gallery az mine was, indeed
next but one to it. Later, when
| passed this particular room on my wa,
10 to bed, / CHANGED to observe th2
the key projected from the lock on til
: outside Of the door Ere | fel
asleep I had settled upon 4 rlse d
guerrr.
Waking soon after daybreak.
dressed hastily and slipped ont int
the corridor. Listening at the cap
tain's door. | could hear his heay Y
regular breathing within; he was stl
last asleep My fingers sought til
protruding key. and softly, wariv,
! turned ii. the bolt sliding into If
, socket without sound. NpV, 1 wei
knew that al the apartments IN m
G unrle's house were tltted with paten
. fastcningS. each one having its specia
! kew, 10 one key opening any othe
I lock than lis own. and | fattered my
>clf uron the tactical use to which
4 hal been enabled 10 put my know
edge. OF a cs1tainty there would /
I no Caot3in Moston at the rendeZyou
e that morning. Chucklinc over II
success or my s.ratagem, | thrust n
/ kew into my pocket and hurried dow
I stairs.
4 Half an hour afterward. from th
f eubrasure OF the library window,
stood and watched Joan issue fro
: the stone porch. cross. the tcTra(
and wenl down BY the strawberries
exactly as | had been led TO expec
i, Nvself unseen, | followed alter, INT
! she entered the ornate wooden chal'
!. near the tennis court. In a few mil
II uteS she reappeared with bicycl
y which she trundled down to the ley
cravellv lath beyond. Here $
: waited. tapping the ground vexel
= uith the toe Of her boot. Clanclng II
i uavand that n intervals. with GROWN
10 i,nra;lence | thrust through 4
$ bushes behind her.
|, How late you are" She cried, tnr'
ing round at the noise; thea, ~seei'
IN me, she stammered colfuSedly %