The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-17
A Bottle of Fizz.

as he thought Of the magnificent courses,
accompanied by nothing but insidlous
temperance drinks. For the good major
was not only a rabid teetotaler himself,
( but he inisted on his friends becoming
so when they dined with him. How
ever, Dick would have kept to lemonade
| for monitor at any rate week
| If thereby he might have gained Mabel.
for he was hopelessly in love with the
| majors daughter, and she had limited, not
darkly, that she would be his if he could
obtain the majors consent. This was by
| no means an easy task, for When the
! subject was preached a few months be-
| fore Major Worthington had kindly but
| firmly refused to permit his daughter TO
| marry a penniless barrister, as he calIed
| Dick-penniless, according to the MAJOR
notions, meaning anything less than
| thousand a year. He liked Dick. however,
/ and continued to be on the best OF terms
with him, and the young man never lost
hope of gaining the prize eventually. So
he went to the teetotaler dinner.
It was a cheerful function, and a new
! temperance drlnk-a CHASTITY beverage
called nti-Heidsieck-had a depressing
| effect upon most of the guests. When
! the ladies left the room, and cigars were
| handed round, things assumed less fu-
nereal aspect. The major had an import
ant communication 10 make. He had that
! afternoon consented to contest the Dale
| division Of Southshire. The seat had been
rendered Vacant by the death of the mem
| Der, and the conservative caucus consid-
! cred that Major Worthington had an ex-
| cellent chance of wrestling the representa-
| ton from the radicals, as he was certain
| to secure the entire temperance vote. The
| radical candidate rising barrister nam
/ ed Walter Greville-refused to give any
! definite pledges to the teetotaler party.
The majors news created quite a sensa-
| ton, and he was effusively congratulated
] all around, and told to ''go in and win. J"
But Dick remained silent. But presently
| he found an opportunity of speaking to
| the major alone.
Pm sorry we've got to be on opposite
sides in the election" he said. with an
attempt at a smile walter Grevile is
a great friend of mine, and I have prom
ised to speak at one of his meetings"
Major Worthington was quite nice about
it.
"Wel1. we can't help it now" he said,
with laugh. 81 must just risk the ef-
fects of your oratory."
Then, you won't be offended"
"Of course not" replied the major, gent
ally. $50 long as you refrain from per-
sonal reflection on my private charac-
ter"
Dick was greatly relieved to find that
the major took it so cheerfully. He had
hoped that mis- association with Walter
Greville would be of use to him in his
profession, but he was very anxious not
to compromise his relations with Major
Worthington.
Two or three weeks after this, on Sat
urday evening, Dick happened to go 10
the Criterion restaurant. He went up
stairs to the table d'hote room. where, to
his astonishment he came across Major
Worthington. Somehow the major did not
not seem very pleased to see him, and
shook hands rather coldly. Dick, how
ever, was in the best of spirits.
up for the week end, I suppose?" he
said, May sit at this table?"
The major continued to look embarrass-
ed, and just then a waiter appeared with
a bottle of champagne. Shall 1 open it
nof. sir?| he said, turning to Major
Worthingtou. who became very red in the
face and stared alternately at the waiter
and the champagne without uttering a
sound.
isn't it right, STRIP murmured the wait
er, deferentially.
Dick glanced at the bottle and a smile
overspread his countenance. He was en-
joying the comedy.
''Pommery 's2 is all right" he exclaim-
ed, with a wink ''If you don't like it.
major, I'll take it instead" The waiter
retired, mystifed. Dick was the first to
speak. He thought he saw his way to
having little fun.
What would the temperance voters of
the Dale division think of this?" he said
with an air of mock gravity. "They look
upon you as an uncompromising enemy of
alcohol"
1T is quite an exception, Dick" ex-
claimed the poor major. alphabetically.
Il only break away from federalism three
or four times in the year. There are oc-
casions when 1 simply banker for bottle
of 'fzz'
wasn't this rather an unfortunate time
to choose" suggested Dick, remorselessly.
You see, I'm going to speak at Gre
ville's final meeting on Monday. This lit
tie episode would make rather an anus
ing story, wouldn't it?"
you don't mean to say you are going
to make capital out of it,"
''Why not? I am not at all sure wheth-
er it is not my duty to Greville"
The major turned pale. For heavens
sake he exclaimed. keep quiet about
it. Hang it all, it wouldn't be fair to
take advantage Of such thing"
Everything is fair in politics" replied
Dick, sententiously. Just think of the
placards all over the Constituency headed
with The Teetotal Candidate on the
Spree or something of that sort"'
The major squirmed. You call yourself
friend of mine?" he urged. Think for
a moment how such a story. would affect
my reputation
AAn idea had been lowering in Dicks
mind for several minutes. He now gave
81.
slowly, Il should not wish to injure your
reputation # I thought there was any
chance Of your becoming a relative OF
mine some day"
What do you meanT'
Il mean that If you would consent to
my engagement"
You are threatening me-" clustered the |
major.
4 never threaten. BY Jove"-he broke |
off suddenly. as he glanced toward the |
door. Major Worthington turned his eyes |
in the same direction and saw Walter |
Greville
Dick smiled. This brings 20 climax"
he said. "Greville IS bound 20 see US. |
II you will give your consent, I VIII ex 1
plain everything away"
But this is blackmail-'
"Blackmail is a nasty word" replied /
Dick. calmly. Now, for the last time, |
viii you submit?"
No. I'm - If I will" cried the ma
for, determined 10 face X out. When il |
came TO the point he never allowed him 4
self 70 be bulued.
At this moment Greville caught sight Of /
them and came across 10 shake hands 4
with his opponent and Dick
Stay here. Greville," exclaimed the lat
ter, and help me with this bottle OF 4
Pommery. can't persuade the major 10. i
You know his Cast-iron principles. ea7
4 great look Of relief passed over Major
ftv+ r IN 1+r~ss Z