Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-26

ing to do" she added, descending TO pathos.
Write to the siren, and say that you can't re
ceive her. Tell her there's mutiny in the kitchen
cholera in the camp-anything," the major sus-
gested.
"a nice way to treat ones dearest girl friend!''
cried the wife, with fine scorn.
Cad" quoth the major, "but this Woman s
friendship is a deuce of sentiment"
"She's only to be here for the hop" Mrs.
Lauderdale continued folding her embroidery
with an air of deep detection. "If the colonel
would only consent to monopolize her for that
one evening, all would be we'll" And she sighed
plaintivey.
'But don't know how" the colonel pro-
tested.
"Take to the window-seat in the hall and use
those eyes of yours" the capricious little lady
urged with fresh vvacity. Talk the way you
used to before you knew the twins" she added;
"And pray, what do you know about that!
the major demanded, glaring at his wife.
about what? How he used to talk" she IN,
quired nnocently, with shy glance at the colonel
which led to a laugh significantly exclusive OF
the major, and through some occult process to a
yet more felicitous result to wit the uncondi-
tional surrender of the colonel a fact which he
communicated, soto voce, behind the majors
back
What really?" Mrs. Lauderdale exclaimed,
with radiant glance.
The colonel nodded.
'Is it possible that my boys are savedP' she
cried, jumping up in her enthusiasm and dropping
lapful of spools.
The colonel assumed apoplectic attitude IN
the cause of gallantry.
'NIv wife is very tender of her eutenants," :"
the major remarked, dryly. f1t's one Of her
pet theories that Gibsons suicide was the result
of heart-wound dealt him by the beautiful Miss
Stewart on the occasion of her last visit to US,
and she insists upon holding herself personally
responsible for that tragic catastrophe"
"Fiddlesticls!" exclaimed the colonel. "A
pressure on the brain caused by excessive
"There, there; don't, my dear fellow!" the
major interrupted "To cite the autopsy would
be but vain expenditure of lung power: My
wife without Gibsons blood on her hands
wouldn't be half the woman she is. She'd be
driven to womans rights or the mindcure.
'rYou 20 and get off those muddy boots, and
that unsavory suggestiveness OF the hostler' and
then perhaps we'll listen to you," Mrs. Lauder
dale commanded with majestic wave of her
hand toward the blue denim portiere.
Ignominious exit of the major.
"Well. let me see' said the colonel, settling
back in his comfortable armchair. Il am ex-
pected to take upon myself the entire responsi-
bilty of that young woman from the hours Of"
Mine till three"
mine till three" he groaned "Six good
hours!"
"And you'll enjoy them hugely-on the sly.
You needn't play the martyr. shall have Gus
tave arrange stand of ferns so to screen the
hall window. Wen convert it into regular fairy
grotto for you."
Cant 1 give her an occasional dance off, if
keen nv eye on herr" the colonel petitioned.
"'Deed you can't You've got to get her so
infatuated with that window-seat that swing
her round as you will, she'll return to it like the
needle to the magnet. Keep her out of the
dancing-room as much as possible, or you'll be
sure to lose her."
Great Caesar! And you expect me to do the
intense for six mortal hours? Would to heaven
Mrs. Keith were on this side of the Atlantic!"
well, you know how it is," Mrs. Lauderdalc
sighed, seized with a sudden qualm of conscience.
"Think of those poor lieutenants! Give her the
ghost of chance at one of them, and he is done
for. The more guillible and impetuous they are,
the better she likes them. They whet her appetite
for conquest. And she is so perfectly irresistible"
Suppose / should find her SOP" the colonel
malicously suggested.
"You needn't tease me. 1 feel wicked enough
already" And she sighed as she dove down
into the depths of capacious work-basket and
brought forth mysterious garment which had
long been in process of construction, and which.
she explained, was intended for missionary
box.