The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-03-14
Richard Cathcart's
Protective PoIicys
By N. L. RAYNE.


GLUM, GUNNER, glummest, Rich
M ard Cathcart sat in his club
parlor envied of all his friends, but
with a great grudge against the
whole world because the especial
preference of one little woman was
denied him. Satiated with the favors
of fortune, he had possibly taken too
much for granted, he was much
chagrined when he was refused the
second time, and the fnality of his
rejection appeared absolute. If he
could have seen himself he would
have laughed at the picture of de-
lection he made. Laugh? He felt
more like crying, but men are de-
nied the selfish luxury Of tears.
Mr.. Carthart was in love with a
widow. She had not used any arts
to attract him and was dismayed at
the violence of his professionalism
Mrs. Katharine Archer had decided
never to marry again, Why should
she2 She had been a widow for five
years and had found life sweet. With
money enough to live as she pleased,
its investments safely guaranteed
by the viii Of her late husband, why
should she tie herself down to the
dull routine of domestic life with an
other man2 She had been a vine long
enough to be tired of clinging. She
wanted to be free to do exactly as
she pleased. These were the objec-
tions she urged against Mr.. Cath
carts suit-why she remained uncon-
WINGED by his lover-like e%loquence.
Were you SO happy in your first
marriage that you dare not venture
again2" he boldly asked.
II was reasonably happy with Mr..
Archer, replied the widow. with a
little sigh.
''Fhen marry me and let me make
you -unreasonably happy" said the in
fatuated lover with fond insistenee.
But Mrs. Archer shook her we'll
poised head.
Tomorrow / am going to New
York she replied. Il want to go
alone everywhere, stop at a hotel
like a elubwoman, have no one to
dictate to me, not even a maid. 1
am leaving mine at home. L shall not
join the bOhemians nor become outre
in anything, neither will I be obliged
to wait the pleasure Of some man
on al occasions. Other women travel
alone-why should not IL"
Because you are not like other
women rejoined Richard Cathcart,
with diplomacy. ''Oh, my dar-dear
Mrs. Archer, you need a strong arm
10 protect you from the rude iost-
ling of the world, which is very cruel
to the helpless and unprotected
Mrs. Archer smiled demurely, look
ing bewilderingly charming, and al
though Richard received his n
the second time, he could not but
acknowledge to himself that some
deliverer would always be at hand
were Katharine Archer in peril. Nor
did he believe that she would ever,
under any circumstances, lose her
feminine wits, which were double
edged. Discreet to the verge of
prudery, he would have wagered his
head against the possibility Of a mis-
take on her part. He believed that
she was absolutely capable of taking
care of herself, but regretted n
possibility of such an extremity COM
ing to pass. He knew the many pit
falls laid down for the and
he wanted to be near her to protect
her against every man-cxcept him
self.
Mrs. Archer arrived in New York
without the shadow of m adventure.
went to a hotel noted for having once
entertained royalty and secured an
elegant suite of rooms She regis
tered her name with he- own fair
hand and felt positively delighted to
be so capable. She did not unpack
her trunks, being tired from her trip,
but decided to wait until the next
morning, when she would enlist the
services of the chamberInaid. 1t was
a new experience 20 answer a knock
at her W. door, where she found a
bell boy with two letters.
For me2o She said, surprised, but
Immediately recognizing the hand
writing on both missivcs. One was
from her brother and contained a key
to q Of her trunks which she had
overlooked OF forgotten. Three
hasty lines accompanied it. The
other-eight pages closely written,
bidding her welcome to New York
and urging her not to be lonely or
miss the solaeing company of the
writer too much. Begun in a spirit