The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-21

) Bard Versus Boxer s


his senses, but would constitute her
trophy Of no inconsiderable value to
his self-csteem. Also it would be far
preferable to be master in a house
which he could style his own than II
continue the social free-lance with the
duty of earning his dinner.
These circumstances may account
for the fact that little Lord Hounsow,
who was calling on Lady Laelia, was
by no means pleased when the door
opened and Mr. de Cruza was an
nounCed.
Little Lord Hounsow was honestly
in love with Lady Laelia. He would
have married her If she had not had
a penny in the world. He had stated
his sentiments to her with as much
fervor of expression as he could COM
mand. She had replied coldly that she
did not intend to marry again, and
that if she did she would not marry q
little man. She added, perfectly gratu-
itously, that she thought that wo-
man ought not to marry a man whom
she could not look UP to and respect.
At this she drew herself up to her full
height and lowered a head and should
ers above him. Also she declared that
she liked him very much as "a friend,
and offered to be sister to him. At
which he had uttered a bad word but
had Immediately apOlogized with the
utmost abasement. Eventually, like
another person, he went away IN
rage. When he had cooled down little
he decided that he would never give up.
Therefore when he heard of the De
Cruza intimacy he felt an unhOly wish
to maui and mangle that eminent man.
He could not really believe that Lady
Laela could actually have any tender
feelings toward "a fellow whose hair
hung half way down his back, and
whose appearance and talk were
enough to make one i'll for a month,
begad;" but he did not like the idea
that such an animals" name should
be coupled with that of his adored one.
Still less did he like the anxiety which
raCked his breast whenever he thought
of this friendship and it's possibilitie.
Therefore De Cruza' name was to him
like a red rag to a bull. The voice of
wisdom said. Go" The fiend of jeal-
ousy cried stay" Naturally he obeye1
the latter.
This is a most fortunate CoinCi-
dence," said Lady Laelia, after she had
responded to De Cruza 5 large and ef-
fusive greeting. II can wow introduce
two of my greatest friends to each
other"
The two men exchanged sour glances.
De Cruza was man of many hatreds
Most of all did he hate the ordinary
man." And in that lowest deep a lower
deep was reserved for those who We're
good-looking. Moreover, to do him
from any disposition to toady lords
so great was his rage at the mean ad-
vantage which he considered that their
titles gave them.
On the other hand, Lord Hounslow
was furious at being bracketed in
Lady Laelia's friendship with his bette
noir, while at the same time deriving
curious kind of comfort from the
thought that if the beast" were only
equal to himself there could not be
much truth in the rumors which pointed
De Cruza out as Lady Laelia's special
knight.
The interview did not proceed felicit-
ously. De Cruza blundered on to a sub
ject on which HOunslow, as a military
| man, entertained strong opinions. To
| do him justice, the poet did not know
HounslOw's profession, but the knowl-
edge would not have caused him to
change his topic-especially as Lady
| Laelia agreed with him.
Moral suasion and the dignity of
| being in the right are all rot" said
Hounslow, hotly.
II should call a policeman" replied
De Cruza with dignity
II have no doubt of it," replied
| Hounslow, cOntemptuously. TT would
| perhaps be too inquisitive to inquire
what you would do if the policeman
| did not turn up?"
and what would you do?" inquired
Lady Laelia, haughtiy; "supposinS
! the man were bigger than you?"
Lord Hounslow flushed hotly, for he
| suspected a covert taunt.
"Well. seeiNg that l am the cham
! pion lightweight of the brigade, | ex-
| Dect that if the other man was game
| there would be a decent little set-to
| for few minutes"
How horrible" calculated Lady
Laelia.
"Barharous!" echoed De Cruza.
Hounslow stood up straight, every
! inch Of his trim little figure bristling
erect with indignation. For the first
time in his life he said goodbye to
Lady Laelia with a feeling of strain
! He regarded De Cruza's observation
no more than the snarling of a draw
| ing-room lap-dOg, which relies on the
| protection of its mistress skirts. but
that she should take part with it
againt him!
Lady Laelia was decidedly impru-
dent with regard to Mr.. de Cruza. 1t