Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-30

lduSHeu ana lett ner. Inere was a fine
originality in the idea of pensioning off
mans sweetheart.
II.
She left Paris by the Calais train next
morning, and for a week I heard nothing
Then cablegram came to my address, in
which words were lavished riotously. Even
millionaire would not have scattered
money broadcast into the telegraph depart
ment like that, except in a moment of ex-
tremity.
Condensed, it said that she had failed in
her negotiations all round. The sweetheart
refused the parson would not listen to
reason, and was living behind barri-
caded doors, and consequently she, Mari
quita was furious.
Knowing her as did, I smiled grimly at
thoughts of the scenes with which that
sleepy south coast village would be thrilled
Ana I'm AFRAID 1t occurred to me that the
pull up would do her good. To my taste
she had always been far too fond of riding
roughshod over any one who ventured to
run counter to her wishes
me cablegram wound up with the cool
command that l should go ever instantly
and assist her to gain her ends OF course
it was just the sort of thing Mariouita
might be expected to ask, but saw no mar
tlcular reason Tor compliance, and so cabled
a refusal
Cant come No use If 1 did. You won't
get him, anyway
AS fast as the clerks could flash 1t
through the wires reply came thus:
See here. Help me all you know to get
him. If l fail you may propose to me for
the seventh time, and I'll say, Yes, dar-
ling! That ought to encourage you, il you
believe what you wrote an hour ago. Now,
come"
1t was quaint offer and coming from
any other woman on earth it would have
made me rabid. But Marfquita was Mart
quita' and law unto herself. So went
" vxyoff
She was stopping at the Grand at South
ampton, and her greeting was a nod and
the "r question, It,. Wen. what's your scheme?"
knew how the land lay
"Peste! you should have mapped out fifty
to suit every contingency. But IL Won are
SO dull-witted; listen! They are to be mar
ried almost directly. / do not know how
you cold-blooded English work such things
but fortunately some delay seems neces.
sary. stu, their banns' whatever those
may be) have been called out twice.
Then. by Jove, Mariquita, you've only a
weeks law. They evidently funk You des-
perately, and are going to get safely tied
together out OF harms way. There's only
one method OF preventing 1t that can see.
order round your yacht, kidnap him on
board. and once safely at sea you can af-
ford to wait for terms"
l said this more or less In IRONY. but r.
my disgust she took it up promptly.
Yes, that has good points, though II 10
not altogether practical, as my yacht is AZ
Marseilles, and would take too long to get
into commission and bring round. But
can improve on it."
She rang the bell and sent for the man.
ager. The man put in an appearance very
promptly.
What large yacht Is there here ready
for scar"
Lord Raybury's schooner clears for the
South Pacific tomorrow, madam"
"Owner?"
Lord Raybury."
Where does he liver"
He is now staying here, madam.
Good. Show me to his room.''
IF madam win follow meT
The pair Of them left me, and In about
sixteen minutes time she returned. She
sank into chair and laughed.
Your English noblemen are very funny.