Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-06-20
THE FALSE FRIEND


T7 Nd what do you think OF my
A wife. Aylescroft:'
Jarvis Mornugham leaned
eagerly forward as he asked the ques-
iion. Col. Aylescroft took the cigar
from between his lips and looked hard
al the gas fixtures overhead
Il tlfnk you showed your good
taste Morningham," said he. She is
beauty! Oniy-do you want me TO
say whatsI really think"
''Of course | do. Speak out, man.
OF all things | detest innuendoes.
well. then. isnt 1t almost pity
that she is SO young. Why, she might
have been your daughter
''She is threc-andtwenty."
And YOU are three-and-forty. But II
il done. and can't be undone. And she
is very beautiful May | give you one
piece of advice, Morninghamf"
Forty. Ii you choose
Don't invite any young fellows to
your house,"
why not:"
Van you ste NOuIstn
Nottingham Is young and beautiful.
She has married you because you had
superb home to offer her, and be-
cause you We're II friend of her father.
Don't let her make the dangerous dis
covery that she has heartr'
Nottingham colored and bit his lip.
You think she does not love me,
then:'
Il did not say that But l don't be-
lieve the woman lives who could re-
sist a younger, handsomer lover who
came awooing al her feet"
Your experience of women must
have been unfortunate, to say the least
Of it, said Mr. Nottingham. frigidly.
Col. Aylescroft shrugged his shoul-
ders.
Now you are offended" said he. IL
supposed you were man OF common
sense. Morningham although you have
chosen to treat yourself to young
wife"
II am not offended said Morning
ham, 'Shall we go out on the lawn
and look ut the new statuary: Mil
dred Is there herself"
Mrs Nottingham might have been
three-and-twenty, but she certainly did
not look more than IL as she came
timidly toward her husband and his
friend-,an authenticated blonde. with
large, melting hazel eyes and a com
plexion as radiant as softly tinted wax
and slipped her hand through his
arm.
II was wondering why you did not
come out, Jarvis" said she. "But-you
are vexed with mer'
No, | am not vexed, Mildred. Why?
he demanded, rather shortly.
You look so grave and stern"
The husband contracted his brows.
"Aylescroft was right" he thought
81 should never have married so young
a wife. May and October never can
assimllate."
1t was the afternoon Of the next day
rainy twilight with the dead leaves
showering down In damp, yellow
drifts, around the flower beds on the
lawn-and Mrs. Nottingham was sit
ting alone before the study fire look
Ing pensively into ts glowing. cora
depths, with the book 1t had grown toe
dark to read lying unheeded In hei
lap when Col. Aylescroft looked in
Am | intruding:"
"Oh, no." Mildred answered, cor
daily. Il shall be delighted to have
your company. In fact" and she hes
itated and colored. Il was wanting to
speak to you"
Indeed, On what subject?"
about my husband. You have
known him SO many years"
Col Aylescroft seated himself In Il
oval face whose lineaments appeared
so exquisite in the shifting tirelight.
Yes" he said. carelessly. Morning
ham and have been chums ever since
we were boys at school,"
You see" went on Mildred. Il am
80 young-so inexperienced. | need
some one to advise me what to do.
must read and cultivate my mind to
bring Ii somewhat nearer to the level
of his-I must study great subjects
must leave behind the frivolous EN-
ployments of my girlhood. must | not
Col. Aylescroft? For, indeed. | want
80 much to be IA companion to him In
every sense of the word.
Aylescroft was silent for minute
or two. 1T is almost pity" he said
ut last. "Morningham should have mar
ried a bas bleu--one of those intellect
tual women. He is so hlgh-toned-sf Sc
1 far above us ordinary mortals.'
Mildred's countenance fell.
you think l shall dlsappoini him.
i Pardon me. not you alone, but ever,
woman who is not cultivated 10 the
highest pitch. lie is splendid fellow
but so lofty-so inaccessible one Nigh
as well hope to reach the highest peal
Of Mont Blanc."
Mildred made no reply. but sh'
thought within herself: Then he onl,