The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-19
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Il Was Exercised by
g.. Q Pretty Girl

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"By Jove, Gordon, I don't know what
to make of your exclaimed Tom Fair
leigh, drawing on his gloves with con-
siderable show of vexation. Amy Hep
burns happiness Is dear to me; in fact,
came here tonight to tell you that
love her.
ITO tell mey' broke in Gordon. "Why
don't you tell herT'
"Wait. can't you? Let me finish.
have told her, and she declined me. 1t
was done very gently and with the great
est possible regard for my feelings, but
nevertheless was declined. Don't think
me fool because come here and make
a confession which can be nothing less
than notifying. I'm doing it for Amy's
sake"
For Amy's sakew echoed Gordon.
eyes. / want to see her happy, and
you are the man to make her SO. She
declined me on your account. OF course
l knew long ago that you were my rival,
but did you not know until two hours ago
that you were the successful one. You
aren't worthy of her and don't deserve
her, but don't think for moment that I
believe myself more worthy or more de-
serving" Pausing suddenly, Fairleigh
walked to his friends side and laid
hand on his shoulder. II can't under
stand what you mean by leading Amy
to believe that you care for her, while
all the time dividing your attention with
Nell Forthdyke. Would you be inhuman
enough to break heart as loyal as
Amy'sw
Don't get tragic, Tom. I'm not going
to break anybody's heart. Nell is rich.
you know
"And so are you," sneered Fairleigh,
walking hurriedly to the door and laying
his hand on the knob. "but Amy Hep
burn is poor. Society dares you to wed
with poverty. II you love Amy, are you
man enough to take the dare? Examine
into the financial condition Of the Hep
burns, reflect upon the cause Of their
downfall in fortune and then let me Dee
II you are strong enough to leap this
Brahmanical barrier of CASTE"
With this parting shot Faireigh passed
quickly out Of the room and slammed the
door behind him. Harry Gordon gave
vent to a long whistle, settled himself
back in his chair and thoughtfully lighted
cigar.
"That was quite JOLT" he muttered,
looking upward through the curling
wreaths Of smoke. "'How happy could
be with either were t'other dear charm
er away! It's as sure as can be that
love one and funcy the other, but who
will unravel the Gordian knott Which
Ia 1t to be-Amy or Nell"
!, A knock fell on the door, not on the
outside Goor. but on a door leading into
a closet. Harry Gordon stirred uncom-
fortably In his chair, vexed look coming
into his eyes as he fixed them upon the
closet door. After brief interval Of
silence the knock was repeated.
"Now, what in the world aroused
your" cried Gordon.
Business Is business" came hollow
voice from the other side Of the closet
door. "I'm here for purpose, and if l
do not make that purpose manifest once
in awhile you'll forget all about me-"
This remark was followed by clank-
ing, cachinnatory outburst that seemed
to CRATE harshly on Gordon's ear.
"Well, what do you want?" he asked.
II want to come out and show myself.
You know Pm here. but little ocular
demonstration won't come amiss, l take
it. Remember, Pm showing considera-
ton for you. l might have kicked open
this door and stalked out into the room,
but didn't. l raped"
Cant you put 1t off? Come out to-
morrow. I've got something else to think
about now
,.,h ,sIht Jnp nf "a u
skeletons are not in the habit of playing
second fiddle, or taking back seats, for
anybody. I'm coming at once"
"All right, then" groaned Gordon,
squaring himself about in his chair.
Come on"
The closet door few open and well
developed skeleton strobe out and drop
ped with rattle into chair. The cav
ernous eyes were blankly cxpressive-to
Gordon. For him, also, there was some
thing sarcastic in the grin of the teshless
jaws.
"Dust me off," said the skeleton. II
want to show up as frightful as possible
tonight"
The request presented itself to Gordon
as a command which he was powerless
to disobey. Picking up feather buster,
he piled it vigorously about the cleaning
white bones.
"A-choo" he sneezed, dropping the
duster and falling into his chair
"You ought not to neglect me-" said
the skeleton. I'm one of the family and
should be treated as such. Now, then,
let's have a chat"
The skeleton crossed its bony legs and
settled back comfortably.
"Will 1t do me any good to have chat
with you" queried Gordon.
THAT remains to be seen. 1t used to
do your father good. Why, it was my
custom to visit him every night. As he
sat before that table there, writing, I'd
sneak out Of that closet, come quietly up
behind him and put an arm caressingly
about his neck" The skeleton laughed,
working its tony jaws with a succession Of
cracking sounds that made Gordon shiv-
er. How it used to startle him! He
would turn white as a sheet as he looked |
up into my face. Once he sprang to his
feet in desperation and we had a wrestle
all about the room, overturning chairs, |
tables and everything else that came in
our way"
"You succeeded well in shortening my |
fathers life" returned Gordon gloomily. |
"Under your tyranny he sank into his I
grave long before his time"
$50 he did. so he did. and he passed
ME on to you with the rest Of his prop
erty, real and personal. 1t was rich |
inheritance. my dear boy, even though |
I had to be dragged at its heels. Yet
don't accuse me Of any responsibility !
for your fathers taking off. He was
the author of my existence. Like Frank
enstein, he built me up, bone by bone,
and was not content until he had made
a gigantic monster and had breathed
into my bony breast the breath of life.
Then, in order that might not attlict |
his sight, he slowed me away In that |