The Portland daily press., 1900-01-18
THE RIGHT THING
--a AT sa-
THE WRONG TIME


area. Why had she married Jim? He
was dear, good fellow. Of course, but so
monotonous In his limitations. Why
hadn't she married Jack Dalrymple in
stead OF allowing Sophie to appropriate
his $1,000 a year7 She could so easily
have done It. What lovely things would
have been hers nowl What would she
have chosen for her birthday present to-
morrow? jim, very likely, wouldn't even
remember that she had a birthday, or, IL
he did, he would give her something use
full How she hated useful thingsi
Perhaps she could cajole him out Of q
check? Then she could pay Cerise some
thing off her bill and order that new tea
gown that was so adorable. The one she
had on was getting passe, and no self
respecting woman could afford to be Ill
dressed, especially a pretty one. Mrs.
Otway walked across the room and in
spected her face In the glass. 1t was
worth inspection, in spite OF its discon-
tented expression. 1t was very pretty
face. The sleek head and big brown eyes
were indeed curiously attractive. As she
looked the eyes changed their sulky look
to one OF interest. For the door opened
to admit Captain Dalrymple. Lalage OF
way turned to greet him and then sank
into a chair--her own special chair in
front OF the fire.
''To think OF the devil seems to have
the same power as to speak Of him." she
said. ''for my thoughts appear to have
conjured you here"
But surely you expected me?"
81 never expected anything good, there
fore I'm not as surprised to see you as
otherwise should have BEEN" she re-
turned.
He laughed. "Frankness is veracity's
vice"
II don't pose as veracity. I'm In no
mood for anything so effective. l was
railing at fate when you came in"
"Were you? What has she been do
ing2" he asked.
"Enmeshing me In her web. and, alas"
(shrugging her pretty shoulders), 1T isn't
even spun of silk!'
81 think Lalage. that I would have
spun it Of sih had you let me-"
And think, Captain Dalrymple, that
you are using my Christian name with
out my permission"
christian name! Why, II Is as deli
ciously pagan as you are yourself and as
beautiful" he said.
"Then IL serves its purpose. for beauti-
full things are useful, even though useful
things are not necessarily beautiful" she
said, as she poured out tea and handed
the cup across to him. Sugar. she said,
picking up a piece and Offering it to him
with her fingers.
He put out his hand and grasped hers.
She freed Il with laugh.
How nice he was. 1t was delightful to
have such influence over him. What a
fool she would be to relinQuish it! jim
need never know. Besides, a little come
dy scene like this appealed to her ar
tistic taste.
What naughty girl you are" he
said.
She made a grimace and enunciated a
truism: But for our failings our virtues
would have no background against which
to be shown up"
The solemn manservant opened the
door suddenly rs she spoke. Captain Dali
rymple pushed back his chair from its
close proximity to Mrs. Otway's. She
looked at the man carelessly-perhaps the
carelessness was a little overdone-a lit
tie too obvious.
"what is 1t, Mallory" she asked.
"If you please. mum, Captain Dairym-
pies man has come, and will Captain
Dalrymple go at once, as he is wanted
most particularly" and with that NAL
lory closed the door discreetly behind
him.
ut must be message from the bar
racks" Captain Dalrymple explained in
answer to Mrs. Otway's look OF inquiry.
1T can't be from home, for. as you
know, Sophie is in Loamshire hunting
and supposes me In Hounslow. And" he
added, with a happy laugh at his recov-
cred bachelorhood, I'm entirely my own
master II ! go now, may l come back
presently"
"No, mol Not tonight" shaking her
head Jim is coming home TO dinner,
and, although a duet is sometimes meio-
dious, have never heard harmony in a
trio" she said.
But must see you again." he said,
with insistence.
Come tomorrow, then"
Tomorrow Is your birthday. You
didn't think I'd forgotten 1t, dearest, DID
you:" he said tenderly.
81 expect that you have convenient
memory" she said, with little sheer
which was yet unable to destroy the
beauty of the face.
Jack Dalrymple came up to the girl.
"I.alage," he said, you are unfair, Tor
you know that l do nothing else but
think of you-morning, noon and night.
He took her hand. 1t lay INTERESTINGLY In
his, the pretty pink palm uppermost. he
bent down and imprinted burning KISS
In it, shutting the fingers that they
might hold this record of his infatuation
"My darling" he went on, speaking hur
rledly, "you mustn't mind, but I've sent
you present. l came up from Hounsiow
today purposely to buy it. You'll weai
1t, won't you? l didn't ask your permits
SION
The ubiquitous Mallory again appear
ed. "If you please, sir. they have sent fol
you again." he said reproachfully.
Lalage laughed as the sound of thu
door shutting upon the captain came 10