The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-01-06
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THE WRONG TINE

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( THE WRONG TINE /
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Mrs. otway sighed. Good heavens
How weary she was Of the four walls Of
her drawing room! A small house, ever
though In Mayfair, was but restricted
area. Why had she married Jim7 He
was dear, good fellow, Of course, but sc
monotonous In his limitations. Why
hadn't she married Jack Dalrymple In,
stead Of allowing Sophie to appropriate
his 1900 q year? She could 80 easily
have done 1t. What lovely things would
have been hers now! What would she
have chosen for her birthday present to.
morrow? jim, very likely. wouldn't even
remember that she had birthday. or, il
he did, he would give her something use.
full. How she hated useful things!
Perhaps she could cajole him out of a
check7 Then she could pay Cerise some
thing of her bill and order that new tea
gown that was 90 adorable. The one she
had on was getting passe. and no self
respecting woman could afford to be i'll
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.
ITO 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 mew
II never expected anything good, there
fore Tm not Us surprised to see you as I
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. I was
railing at fate when you came in"
Were you? What has she been do
ing?" he asked.
"Enmeshing me in her web, and, alas"
(shrugging her pretty shoulders), ut isn't
even spun of silkW
II think, Lalage, that would have
spun it Of silk had you let me-"
"And l think, Captain Dalrymple. that
you are using my Christian name with
out my permission"
hU tc Io1s
ciously pagan MS you are yourself and as
beautiful" he said.
''Then 1t serves Us 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, "Sugar7" she said
picking up piece and offering it to him
with her fingers.
He put out his hand and grasped hers.
She freed 1t with laugh.
How nice he was! 1t was delightful to
have such influence over him. What 4
fool she would be to relinQuish it! Jim
need never know. Besides, 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 as she spoke. Captain Dali
rympie- pushed back his chair from its
close proximity to Mrs. Otway's. She
looked at the man neutrality-suspicious. the
was a little overdone-a lit
tie too obvious.
"What is it, Mallory?" she asked.
"If you please, mum, Captain Dalrym-
pies man has come, and will Captain
Dalrymple go at once, as he Is wanted
most particularly" and with that Nal
DRY closed the door discreetly behind
him.
1T must be a message from the bar
'acks," Captain Dairymple explained in
answer to Mrs. Otway's look of inquiry.
1T can't be from home, for, as you |
snow, Sophie is in Loamshire hunting
md supposes me In Hounslow. And" he !
ldded, with happy laugh at his recov-
red bachelorhood, I'm entirely my own
Master. II l go now, may l come back
,resentlyW
"No, no! Not tonight" shaking her
lead. Jim is coming home to dinner,
md, although duet is sometimes melo-
lious, have never heard harmony in
rio," she said.
"But l must see you again." he said,
With insistence.
"Come tomorrow, then"
Tomorrow Is your birthday. You
idn't think I'd forgotten it, dearest, aid
ou?" he said tenderly.
II expect that you have convenient
memory" she said, with little sheer
vhich was yet unable to destroy the
eauty Of the face.
Jack Dalrymple came up to the girl.
"Lalage," he said, you are unfair, for
OH know that do nothing else but
hink Of you-morning, noon and night"
lie took her hand. 1t lay INTERESTINGLY in
is, the pretty pink palm uppermost. He
ent down and imprinted burning kiss
, it, shutting the fingers that they
light hold this record of his infatuation.
My darling" he went on, speaking hur-
edly, you mustn't mind, but I've sent
on a present. came up from Hounslow
,day purposeiy to buy it. You'll wear
, won't you? didn't ask your permits
On'-
The ubiquitous Mallory again appear
J. "If you please, sir, they have sent for
Du again." he said reproachfully.
Lalage laughed as the sound of the
,or shutting upon the captain came 10
sr. 1t was pity be had been sent for.
had been an amusing scene, and It
light have developed into an exciting
lie. He was SO very easy to play upon.
ow, heigh-ho!- land Mrs. Otway gave
lwn of prospective boredom-there was
thing before her but dull tete-a-tete
nner with Jim. who would probably
II her little trivialities about the law
urts and with pride would retail his
Ill remarks-remarks which 1t required
/ expert In legal wit to comprehend
ere intended to be MI amusing repartee.
But Jim was distract tonight. His
ual bright happiness was clouded. He
ID no stories to recount, and he seemed
Morally parsimonious Of ideas. 1t was
'surd. Yet Lalage almost thought that
ce or twice she encoun Cred a critical