The Press., 1904-05-11
IN A COMPROMISING
SITUATION
By T. w. McKAIL
-. Copyright. 1903. by T. c. Mcclure.

observation-disclosures
81 am sure" said Mrs. Railton, fix
ing me with her eagle glance, before
which even bishops have been known
to quail-"I am sure you will like to
be the first to congratulate Sylvia on
her engagement to Mr.. Oswald Fitz-
gerald"
"But Mr.. Fitzgerald began.
els suitable in every way" continued
Mrs. Railton, needless of my attempted
remark. HE is just the man to make
Sylvia a capital husband"
"He has, l am aware, $4,000 year,"
I said bitterly 'but he is old enough to
be her father"
my dear Gerald" demonstrated Mrs.
Railton in her most bland tone, how
can you say such things! Mr.. Fitzger-
aid is quite young man still, and by
many people he is considered extremely
handsome. Pray don't put such notions
into Sylvia'e head"
l held my peace. and after studying
my countenance carefully for a few
moments Mrs. Railton continued: 81
have told you this because l have
thought-although of course, may be
mistaken-that your affection for Syl-
via has been becoming little more
than cousinly. l should be sorry it,
My dear aunt" broke in impetu-
ously, ''what is the use of your trying
to blink facts? You know quite well.
that l have been making desperate love
to Sylvia ever since she was ten years
old"
"a mere boy and girl Irritation" said
Mrs. Railton.
Perhaps" l said, trying to speak
nonchalantly; "but, at any rate, l do
not mean to congratulate Sylvia on her
engagement to an old man with dyed
hair and false teeth. If it had been a
young man, it would have been differ
ent. don't believe she cares for him
any more than she cares for-the man
In the MOON"
My TRADE fizzled out rather ineffec-
lively, but was feeling genuinely saw
age, and the necessity of keeping up a
calm exterior before my aunt op-
pressed me. l wanted to go out and
hit somebody. So l made a somewhat
hasty departure without waiting to see
Sylvia. On the way back to my rooms
I'm the Metropolitan club brooded over
my wrongs. There could be no doubt
that Sylvia had treated me very badly.
recalled numerous sentimental little
passages between us. Besides, l had
proposed to her regularly every week
for the last two years without any def
Unite result, it is true, but still with no
decided negative.
I sat down in my room dejectedly
and pondered over the ways of women
In general and of Sylvia in particular
Then went to a drawer and took out
box wherein lay a miniature pOr.
trait Of Sylvia, some letters from her,
q trinket off a bangle, handkerchief
and some few other unconsidered tri-
fes. The sight of these strengthened
my sense of righteous indignation, and
while it was still upon me seized
pen and dashed off a furious letter to
Sylvia. But moment later tore it
to pieces. After all, thought, sarcasm
will be much more effective and at the
same time more dignif1ed. Acting upon
the second impulse, constructed
brief letter full of irony congratulating
Sylvia upon her engagement and in
forming her Of the pleasure l felt in
receiving the announcement. This l
dispatched at once by express messen-
ger and then settled down for a quiet
afternoon.
1t was Saturday, and there was an
air Of peace within and without that
soothed my wounded feelings. 1 lit
cigarette and lounged in an easy chair
before the open window. The sound Of
a cab approaching rapidly aroused me.
Looking out Of my window, saw that
it contained Sylvia. AS she stepped out
Of the cab at my door, looking more
bewitching even than usual, 1 noticed
that she carried letter in her hand.
Thus forewarned I answered her
hurried knock at the door with a mat
ter Of fact Come in" and evinced none
Of the surprise she evidently expected
me to feel at her appearance.
you are perfectly horrid''- she be-
gan.
"Why?' l asked innocently.
ITO write me letter like this" hold
ing out the offending document. ~
was just going out shopping with moth
er when it arrived, but l felt as If I
must come and talk to you first. Poor
mother! She will wonder where on
earth have gone"
$50 you did care what thought?"
"Oh, jerry" she said quite earnestly,
and fancied l detected a tear in ner
left eye, chow could you write me so
7 INn hno vk
broken"
"Is it not little indiscreet of you,"
I went on, realizing my advantage, ito
come here alone to bachelors rooms
without chaperon"
She sprang to her feet, her eyes fash
ing and her cheeks flushing In a man.
ner that l could not help confessing
was eminently becoming to her.
do you think 1 care about stupid
conventionelities," she said, when it
is question of justice between you
and me? Do you imagine am going
to remain at a decorous distance from
you when my happiness is at stake?
Do YOU
But / interrupted her.
''It is not SO much a question of what
I think or imagine as it is of what Mr..
Fitzgerald
allow dare you mention him to me?'
she famed out. ut is the worst taste
on your part. If had refused You
and accepted him
'AThat liz exactly what you have
DONE" 1nterposed. ...
@Indeedy she bowed haughtily. "Y0u
know more of my al.,...., tAan do my.
SELF"
Sylvia" l said, taking her hands in
mine, "your mother told me you were
engaged to him."
"And you believed it and wrote me
this-this objectionable letter. l came
to tell you that l am not engaged to
any one and that never shall be-"
mot even to me?" pleaded.
"You deserve the worst punishment
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