The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-09
THE MATTER OF A KISS.

yourself. in my opinion"
Admiral Brown bowed. II am obliged &c
you for your opinion" he said. with q
merry twinkle in his eyes. IT do endeavor
to the best Of my poor ability to be I'M
selfish. Now. In your branch Of the serv-
| ices"
| II wish you good day, SIR" exclaimed
the General. with fresh flame about his
eyes, as he snatched up the hat he be-
| ieved to be his.
The same to you. and healthful con-
stitutional into the bargain" said the Ad-
miral in his most urbane manner.
| 1T will be none the less healthful. as
you call 1t, and none the less pleasurable,
either. that take it alone. SIR
Il agree with you. When one has ones
rag out, as the saying is"
General Green stamped hard on the Tur-
key carpet. and Immediately afterward let
loose an expressive monosyllable.
Quite SO. When one has the govt, one
should be careful. Now, il you will do me
the honor to take my advice"
Admiral Browns smile was like gun
d
"Confound it, sir!" he cried. waiter
| rushed into the smoking-room, which these
| two had to themselves
Beg pardon, gentlemen; did you caIl?"
he asked. with look Of surprise. The
attitude Of the two old friends was for
once not at all friendly.
Bring some ice." said the Admiral.
Certainly, sir
The General limped to the door. purple
a, to his cheeks. Half way he turned and
shook his right forefinger at Admiral
Brown. IF your son. he said, "presumes
to accost my daughter in public again I'll
horsewhip him. sir-horsewhip him on the
Parade or off 1t, and tell him what think
Of him."
"Gad!" said the Admiral, as If he had
heard very good joke. what a capital
show you'd make, the two OF you, at that
game! Pom my word, I'll arrange to be
by with my Kodak. I suppose you know
Eric is one of the champion lightweight
boxers?"
General Green put his hand to his FORE
head.
Come, old chap" murmured the Ad-
miral, moving on his part toward the door:
lets be sensible. At our time Of life"
was an excellently preserved old soldier,
barring his govt, which was intermittent.
He dyed his hair. wore corset. drank
brandies and sodas. and rode bicycle.
I'LL give him a week to apologize"
he said tensely; land if in that time get
no apology I'll give him his lesson"
III tell him what you say. Anything
more to give him."
No, Sir" roared General Green. "our
SrfN I~hs
that Ubiquitous young puppy. and I'm glad
Of 1t, sir-glad from my heart"
wish l could say the same, old chap"
The General seemed to relent, but only
for moment. There, SIR" he said, I've
given you my last words. Good day." He
turned TO the door and smote the carpet
with his stick
Admiral Browns mouth twitched rnirth-
fully. Well" he said calmly. you've
given me good deal in the course Of the
last fifteen minutes. Suppose now YOU
give me my hat
The General started as IL he had been
pricked. and glanced at the hat in his
hand
Just then the waiter appeared with the |
ice.
Take that hat to the gentleman yon-
der" said the General
The waiter seemed more pepIexed than
before. He said. Certainly. General
yet started
The Admiral took his hat. smiled with
the utmost sweetness. considering what !
bronzed and wrinkled old fellow he was. !
and observed. 1.-The ice is Lot for me. |
General Green is rather warm. Take 1t |
to him.
But the General hurried from the room.
with growls that would have done credit
to a small enagerie.
"All right. John" then said Admiral
Brown; I'll have it. and some whisky and
a cigar" He 3lung himself into the easy
chair nearest the window and became
grave. He grew more grave as he watch
ed his old friend totter down the club
steps and across the road to the Victoria
Gardens. shaking his head as if he were
somewhat palsied.
Poor old Greenr he said. with real
tenderness. Hes certainly not the man
he was year ago." He was still musing !
not altogether gayly-for he too was in
the sixties-when the door opened and 4
handsome young fellow entered.
Thought I'd find you here" he began;
but he broke off with a Hello! what's the
Admiral Brown had jumped to his feet,
and there was neither sweetness nor light
in his eyes now. He faced his son with
Now then. sir he cried. I've a tough
bone to pick with you. What the dickens
10 you mean By kissing Helena Green in
public place? Do you know what you've
lone sir Youve-'
But Eric Browns face arrested the fur
hen flow OF his fathers rhetoric 1t was
trimming in the coolest imaginable man
Ter. Not particle of shame on it either
Why, hang it all, dad he said blandly. !
she asked me to-
ASKED you to?''
Point blank. You know what a Jolly
,irl she is, and / confess I'm awfully-"
Il know nothing about her except what !
see OF her. But you must be out Of your |
mind"
II thought she was-at first" said Eric.
till smiling.
Tell me the circumstances. Was she
runk, and were you too?"
Neither of us. I'll swear Helena
runk! My hat. dad! You're pretty
ude."
1.-The circumstances. sir?" cried the Ad-
niral, as il he were again on the Audaci- :
v. yelling to a subordinate in a storm.
.'The circumstances? oh, we were just
ogether by chance. you know. on one of ,
he benches at the pumproom end of the ,
and she was saying how she !
,athed that beat Sir Titus
1.-The man she's going to marry! A nice
title baggage. hang met
We'll, yes. sir, If You put 1t that way. e
lie showed UP, white waistcoat. strut. (
yeglass. red nose and all the ugly rest y
( him. He was quite a hundred PAGES off.
GU know. We'd been talking common G
lace till then; but she changed her man.
er all at once. Il want you to do me 7
lvor.' she said suddenly. I'll do it,