Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-08-13
= ACK CARDREW whistled. Then


up went his eyebrows, a second
q indication of surprise. Then he
laid the note on the table, and,
standing over it with his hands on his
hips in a commanding fashion, he read
it again to make quite sure of its con-
tents:
e.. Dear ear, Jack;mCan't ~ possibly S get ,acI back
there's good chap, Madeline and 1
have had a tiff; nothing really serious,
only she is so impetuous. She promised
to call to-day, and we were to thrash the
whole thing out over a luncheon OF the
daintiest conceiving, and here | am simply
moneyed relation. My dear old Jack, you
see my dilemma and your duty! If Made
| line goes to Half Moon street and finds
me not there, that beautiful half hoop,
| with the pearls, ct cetera, (Which, by the
by, is still unpaid for), will return into
my possession Tor the jewelers., and
Madeline Oh, Jack, my dear old
chap, you must explain how unhappy |
was having to go out! If l stayed, l
could make it up with Madeline, and we
should be married, but | should offend my
disgustingly rich uncle and lose my in
! come. On the other hand, | am now in
pleasant proximity to the income, while
| is in danger of being lost forever. So you
must pacfy her until | come. And | say,
| old boy, do Just slip in few incidental
touches as to my-ahem!- manly qualities.
| Paint my virtues in all the irdescent hues
of an abnormally healthy Imagination.
/ Bring us together like the good fairy in
the story book, and l shall ever remain
| your grateful KIT"
"P. S.-Say I'm real good chap and
all that sort of thing"
Here was a strange situation. Jack
reviewed it critically, marking off the
main points on his finger ends. Kit,
the best chap in the world, though
little impetuous, veXes Madeline, also
impetuous. Madeline consents to a
general amnesty to discuss terms of
peace. Kit appoints-here Jack con-
suits his watch-a quarter of twelve.
Madeline agrees. Kit is ambushed by
hopelessly wealthy uncle, and Made
line is on the point of coming to the
agreed spot to find herself, in plain
English, spoofed! Item: One interme-
diary-viz. and to wit, Jack Cardrew-
who hereby swears and undertakes to
pacify, mollify, soothe, soften and 9th
erwise stroke down Madeline.
After which mental declaration Jack
| fell into an armchair and tried to pic
ture Miss Madeline Nelthorpe laugh
| ing at the odd chance that was to give
/ him his first introduction to Kits
| sweetheart.
She was late. 1t was five minutes
to twelve. Jack strobe the room with
all the seriousness of a professional
expert in smoothing over the waters
of true love. To complete the picture
he thrust his right hand with an air
of careless meditation into his double
breasted jacket and hooked his fore
| finger into his watch pocket. 1t came
in contact with a hard, smooth sub
stance. A bright light illumined Jack S
| face as he very carefully and tenderly
withdrew a dance programme. 1t
would inspire him in Kits cause. He
knew what it was to love. He had a
very deep and sincere attachment for
he looked at the programme against
the eighth dance-"pink with blue
dots" So brief, so unintelligible, yet
how sweet a morsel of womanhood
was contained in those magic if slight
ly unromantic words, pink with blue
dotsw And to think that was all he
knew of her! Her name, her chaperon
alike unknown to him! The music of
her voice, the delightful roguish laugh,
the deep, unfathomable blue dots
eyes, / mean-lingered in his memory
like some pleasant dream.
Yes, he could plead to Miss Mel
thorpe on Kits behalf with a lovers
enthusiasm. He could speak from
experience, for Cupid had taken him
by the hand and shown him a wonder
full new world, realm hitherto un-
dreamed Of, a beautiful pink paradise
with-well, blue dots.
Twelve o'clock. She was late.
Just then Tiie door opened, and Miss
Nelthorpe was announced.
Jack came forward to meet her, then
stopped dead. Could it be? Kits
sweetheart this?
"Mr Cardrew," exclaimed the be-
witching visitor in a tone of genuine
amazement, what surprlsew
Pink with blue dots" cried Jack,
with look of chagrin.
Then you haven't forgotten me?'
Forgotten you? No; l wish had
/ mean l wish-oh, to think what l
have promisedr'
And he let slip the little suede fingers
of his lost angel and metaphorically
turned his back on paradise.
1.-THE eighth dance" said Miss Mel
thorpe, with sigh and half laugh.
'The seventh heaven" groaned Jack
Miss Nelthorpe, let me tell you every
thing" continued the unhappy Car
drew, taking a low seat by the girls
side and assuming a martyr at the
stake expression. when l saw yor
melt into a crowd lowering and press
ing about the refreshment buffet a
the dance the other night, / felt al
, most inclined to run after you anC
I hoo n tn Io