The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-04-17

"Who Is the creature?"I inquired,
after a tense pause.
And when he replied. "The eldest
Miss Carruthers," l was more shocked
than ever. That Llllan-my beautiful,
Wild white doye-should consent to be-
come a mere tame domestic fowl-and
for Tom Frsby's sake. CALLED my sensi-
billtles. remembered Low had laid
the offering OF my own unhedged af-
fections at her feet. and how she had
danced on the elaborate embroidery of
words In which l had clothed my pas
sionate avowal.
Il shall 50 and see shem.' l told
Goney.
! found that Lllian-no. Mrs. Fiisssy!
was already by way OF becoming a
social success She was developing
into that dreadful thing. an ideal host
ess. She was obtrusiyciy tactful and
ofeaslyely managing. 1t was said of
her .hat she had knalk OF bringing
the right people together, which, being
interpreted, means that she strove to
pair of her guests as II they had been
vases.
Frisby himself was boIsterously hap
ny and rosIly content and. moreover,
most beautifully trained tc obey his
wife's lIghtest word.
"Ah." lie said. you will find your
affinity some day"
III both us find my affinity" said
]. there will be trouble"
But he was In nvwise disconnected.
He merely waggled his fat head at
me and said: I'VE aust look out for
wife for you"
And from that m5rlent began the
unconscionable crusade against our
cloistral bachelorhood. in which both
l'gisby and his wife took medd dlesome
part, and which terminated in the la
mentable contretemps that 1t is the
purpose cf tbs story to detail. She, of
course. was the more subtle finner.
One might Frisby AMI was were
taking as Tan TO man. We lad been
telling each other tha we were both
rather blackguards really. but deuced
sEc fellows Notwithstanding. end we
were consequently In fine glow OF
self-satisfaction.
"One thing I've forgotten to say to
you" he remarked. 1T really is serl-
GUS"
Serious for whom?" l asked.
lie paused, and then, dramatically.
"For her" be said.
dropped The poker Into the fender
with 4 crash. For hers' repeated.
"What are you driving ati'
Perhaps ough not TO have
broached the subject. he faltered.
you haven't said I.
ITS not fair to her. be ierked out.
"And yet it's all due % that, odious
trick you have OF talking to every
woman you meet as IL she were the
only one Of her sex in the world"
= doA't think they find that partlcu-
Iarly odIous.' said /.
"But lookers-on do" said he. "And
1t is a bit rough on 'em, you know. old
chap. OF course we who understand
you know it's only your way. but girls
s-innocent, young. unsophistocated--
rose also. Good nlght.' | said
abruptly. offering my hand.
"I'll tell you her name. then" said
he. Its little Miss Kerrison--if you
must know
oh" said /. rather disappointed. Il
know-the girl who is so awfully con-
scious OF her profile"
MY wife's cousin" he said, stifIiy.
"And you mean to say that foolish
chit Is In love with mc?v
'Oh, come! Well, suppose so. But
confound your complacency, any how"
Poor thingw l murmured. Poor,
silly thing! Pretty. too. Well. what
would you advise me to do about it?"
He shrugged his shoulders. Il don't
presume 10 advise at all" lie replied
Pest way. suppose, would be to
put her out Of her misery at once"
said /.
There are worse girls than Nina
Kerrison," he said.
But do you think they would suit
me better:" asked him.
NO." said be. "You are not so
bad"
"You overwhelm me-" observed.
"with those touchjpg tokens OF your
approval"
And then we talked Of other mat
ters.
/ had had not the least i1ssc-- lions Of
going to the Chambers dance the fol-
lowing evening. but now / determined
TO go after all. since Miss Kerrlson
was bound to be th~re. and it were best
TO get this painful business over at
once.
In the conservatory made out
dim. ronnd form In filmy white. and
came face to face with Nina Kerrlson.
She sat there motlonless, her hands In
her lap. as IL awaiting her fate in
the person Of myself.
"AIl alone?p said. lightly.
Il prefer to be alone" she said
hastily, and rose as Il to GO.