Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-04-14
The Perfect Wife


brain wills it to be so. that not one
of the guests at the castle could have
declared decisively whether Cosmo
was highly gratifed by the joyful
proceedings or unutterably bored.
He behaved, from his mothers point
of view, in the most exemplary fash
ion. If the weather happened to be
fine he rode with the lovely Lady
Ermyntrude in the morning, mo-
tored with the wealthy Miss Dinor-
ben in the afternoon, and danced all
the evening with the witty Rachel
Burney. If, as was more often the
case, the weather was wet or lower
ing, he sang duets with Lady Ermy-
trude in the morning, played bill
lizards with Phemie in the afternoon,
and again danced with Rachel
throughout the evening.
My dear boy!" cried Lady Strath-
spey. my dear, cautious, sensible
boy! Be quite sure of your own
heart, by all means, before you take
the plunge; but do not wait too long.
Delays are dangerous.
Nevertheless, Cosmo waited until
the last evening, and still no decision
had, apparently, been arrived at,
Lady Strathspey lost all patience.
The castle party was to come to a
brilliant conclusion with the per-
Torrance by the Naughty Little
Grille" Company from the Frivolity
Theater. including Miss Esmee Chal-
loner and Mr. Handel Browne In
their original parts.
Whichever of the girls you elect
to make your wife," said Lady
Strathspey to her son, you must
escort to the seats I have reserved
for you and your future bride. /
am tired of this long suspense, and
am anxious to welcome with open
arms the woman of your choice. Pray
let there be an end of this dilly-
dallying"
He strolled into the great hall ut
the hour devoted to afternoon tea.
and there, scattered about In small
groups, he found the greater part OF
his guests. Under q pretense OF
fetching her another cup OF tea. he
managed to whisper to Miss Burney.
May I have the pleasure of taking
you to see the Naughty Little Grille
this EVENING""
"Oh, thank you immensely. Lord
Strathspey. / should have been ire
mendously glad, only l have prom
ised Mr.. Kiliby to go with him. We
are going to collaborate in writing a
play, you know; and while the
Naughty Grille Is going we shall
have a splendid chance for talking
over our plot
What an extraordinary ccinci-
dence!" observed Cosmo. Il was go
ing to talk to you about a title"
Really! How overwhelmingly fun
ny! But the title can wait till we
have finished our play, can't it?"
81 don't know" returned Cosmo.
"We'r see about that, later on"
And he deftly intercepted Miss
Dinorben, who, with yellow novel
under her arm, was making her way
up the grand staircase.
"Say, Miss Dinorben." he drawled.
She turned slowly on the fourth
step and looked down at him.
"Will you do me the honor of ac-
cepting my escort to the theater to-
night?" he asked.
"Oh, why didn't you ask me be-
fore7" she said, with palpable dis
may.
Sorry; but l really didn't think
of It."
"Ah! That's your slow English
way. So fatal in a race you know"
"A racer"
Eyes. Between you and the Duke
of Burslem. He has won by head. 4"
HIN! A bald victory"
After much searching Cosmo
found Lady Ermyntrude in the
orchid house.
Come with me to the theater to-
night?"
II cannot, have promised Lord
Francis"
Thus 1t fell out that the two chairs
set apart for Cosmo and his nance BY
Lady Strathspey were vacant. The
Earl was nowhere to be seen, and his
mother tortured herself with sur
misses as to his whereabouts. The
three ladies were present In the
theater. SO evidently the three hopes
" WHICH DIG hdu tiuA6 WOio SoAfA-
pletely shattered.
When the guests had raced away
in their motors, and the house-party
were retiring to their respective
rooms. Lady Strathspey sat defect
eddy alone In her boudoir. There en-
tered to her suddenly, flushed with
enthusiasm. and stammering with
unwonted excitement her beloved
son.
"Give me Joy. dear mother!" he
cried. II have found herl have Of
fered my hand and heart, and they
have both been accepted. We are
betrothedl The bridal morn is fixed,
and nothing remains but to invite
the wedding guests. At last have
unearthed her!"
LET me see her at once" she
cried, In an ecstacy. Bring her to
Yon &Aot NAV orfva ynu both my