Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-06-11
Loves Strategy

| >.S~~S~.~~o-o~~Oo~
~ HILL tore down the steps Of the
| Relvidere and headed for me-
Ed" he exclaimed, I'm in an
awful hole!
II don't want to borrow money-it's
worse. | invited Mrs. Britain and her
daughter to lunch this noon-you know
the Brittains?"
nodded.
Now on my way to keep this ap-
pointment l met my aunt and cousin
Nathalie.
. Unfortunately. permitted the old
lady to understand my intention OF
lunching alone at the Belvidere. and
as relative she forthwith invited her
SELF
"Well?" l interrogated.
Its like this. Aunt Hall disapproves
of the Brittalns, while my inclinations
tend toward Miss Agnes. Nevertheless,
l am dependent on my aunts bounty
for all extras and would be In a fix
should she decide to raise hades, SO
you can see how I'm up against it."
GLOW do you expect me"
"That's all right, Ed. I've got the
Brittains in the Egyptian room and
auntie in the regular dining room.
Auntie is down on unnecessary eX-
pendture | intend being present at
both tables"
followed. humbly glad Of an oppor-
tunity to feast my eyes on the forbid
den fruit of my desire.
Mrs. Hall stared stonily. but Nathalie
was condescendingly affable. and l en-
braced the chance offered by devoting
my entire conversation to her, leaving
to Phil the pleasant task Of thawing
out his aunt.
II say, Ed" he exclaimed, after ex-
pending an amount Of persuasive heat,
equal to three tons Of best anthracite.
There is considerable uneasiness on
the street to-day. Copper Range bal
looming and Steel common depressed.
If the ladies could excuse me an in
slant l should like to telephone a stop
order on Mohawk to Samuels."
Certainly, Philip" replied Aunt
Hall. frigidly. and she turned her en-
deavors into an attempt to petrify me
by staring through my head at the
Grecian frets Of the wainscoting.
struggled on manfully until turn
ed with some relief to an approaching
waiter.
Mr. Fletcher. sir, wants to know,
sir, If you'll step down an see i'm
Says as 'ow e as got an option e will
sell you. SIR"
I offered my apologies and, divining
Phil's whereabouts. made for the Egyp-
tian room. My fellow conspirator met
me at the door.
"Now." said Phil hurriedly. He pos
sesses an insulting amount of energetic
hurry. 1.-THE Brittains are behind the
sixth palm. Tell EN- l sent you-say
anything, only keep them busy"
MIR. Ackley? Why. delighted. Ger
tainly! But while we are awaiting Mr..
Fletcher you might discharge one of
his promises, namely, that Agnes and
myself are shown Daren's latest bit
Of portraiture on exhibition in the
green room"
plloted the couple through the maze
Of passages with which the hotel
abounded. and finally emerged In the
green ROOM
An instant later Phil appeared be-
hind me.
ED, | beg pardon, Mrs. Britain. 50
shocking of me to treat you in this
way. but my duty TO my firm and all
that, you know. Ed. Andrews wants
to see you about the purchase of some
Westinghouse rights"
"A-er Andrews?" | calculated.
"You IDIOT" whispered Phil. 60 to
Aunt Hall in the reception ROOM"
turned on my heel and sought the
other couple, and Nathalie seemed gen
timely pleased ut my temperance.
"Now. mother, Mr.. Ackley can show
us the picture before Phil returns"
I'm sure that is Mrs. Britain" ex-
claimed Mrs. Hall, raising her lorgnon.
land Philip" she said, advancing be-
fore me.
"Do YOU know" whispered Nathalie
to me. "mother heard of the Brittains'
invitation and forced herself on Phil
accordingly. She thinks you are an ac-
complice.'
Oh | murmured
Mother doesn't like the Brittains.
Doesn't like you either. Mr.. Ackley,"
she added. and | fondly hoped that
detected regret in her voice. And
shouldn't talk to YOU
..Is that so?" | said with interest.
oblivious of the trouble Phil was in.
Eyes. but
"Nathalie. comet" announced Mrs.
Hall, sweeping by haughtily.
Good moining. Mr.. Ackley." and she
glowered at me. l murmured my
adieux.