Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-26


your conclusion" Colonel Keith in
CURED
"Do you imagine that old age has impaired
my memory?" his companion demanded, challeng-
ing him with a snap Of her black eyes.
'T hadn't thought of you as relic Of an
tiquity," the colonel replied, with stolid gravity.
Now, that was kind of you" she admitted.
"But you are wasting your pretty speeches.
Think of how you will need them when you con.
clude to be my best bower"
ITS very evident that you intend to make a
lvnave of me-" the colonel retorted.
"Then I may count on your the lady exclaim-
ed and the sweetness of her smile was calculat-
ed to impress chivalrous heart
But the colonel was an old bird, and not to be
caught with chaf.
That's fine set of Thackeray you have
there he remarked, with an exasperating twinkle
In his eye.
Eyes; one Of Mats extravagances," Mrs. Lau-
derdale pouted, gancing at row of book-shelves
suggestive of pine and the post carpenter
The furniture Of the room in which they sat
was striking commentary on the inconsistencies
of army life. Moorish rug of rich design lay
the floor, in close proximity to the fimsiest
of cheesecloth curtains; while on solid silver
tray close at hand stood two cut glass decanters,
blers as ever graced country barroom. But
these trAing inequalities were of the least possible
consequence to sprightly Mrs Lauderdale and
her debonair friend the colonel
"You needn't think you can change the subject
to Thackeray" she declared, with fire in her
eye 'Why not be obliging, just for once?" she
coaxed. "Say yes, and let US map out the field
before Mat comes in. Therel" she cried, re-
proachfully, as a sound of spurs and mild pro-
family was heard in the hall; "he's coming
now"
"T say, Lauderdale," called the colonel, "your
wife's giving me lessons in love-making'
Look out there! none of thatl" came the
warning voice Of the major, as he emerged from
behind portiere of blue denim suspended from
a ten-dollar pole. whats this you're up to
now?" he demanded. giving one hand to the
colonel, while he pulled his wife's frizzes with
the other.
"I was only coaxing the colonel to do little
hrting-with another girl" Mrs Lauderdale pro-
tested, keeping the major at bay with the trench
ant point of her embroidery scissors.
whats your opinion, Lauderdale, of woman
who deliberately sets to work TO entangle mar
ried man. the respectable father of twins, in a
desperate affair with a young woman? Des-
perate, mind you! I agreed to do the thing in
d.
me-"
MAT knows Elaine. He can tell you how much
good that would do" cried the majors wife, tri.
umphanty.
'fWhat! Elaine Stewart? the DEVILS ownl" ex-
claimed the major; "an animal about as tractable
as that roam mare of mine. And by the way,
EN-, I deposited about peck of mud in your
hall just now. Queen got her head set for Simp-
sons bog, and I'll be hanged if I could turn
her"
$50 that's the sort of creature you want me
to tackle! Pleasant prospect" the colonel de-
clared, with grimace.
"a chase after your own heart" the majors
wife responded. "Racy, and excellent for embon-
point just what you need"
Look out Keith" said the major; Tend your
self to one of Ems conspiracies, and you'll find
yourself in worse bog than Simpsons"
you're pair of selfish barbarans," the lady
retorted 'But 1 vow Elaine shan't come here
and do what she did last time" And she rocked
vigorously for space of minute. "If the col
onel won't help me, don't see what I 60