Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-26

| he was not the one to do things by halvee. he
knew that there was some desperate work OF 2
subtle description on the program, and he would
! fill the bill consoentiously; but thee were yet
three hours to put in. He looked about him.
There were three lieutenants lowering near the
| door of the dancing room. To the right OF MIN
was the window-seat screened by ferns, where he
and his victim had discussed Mrs. Browning and
Rossetti-where they had talked of-heavensl
what hadn't they talked Of on that relentless sill
II was a sore alternative, but safe one, and he
handed the beautiful Miss Stewart to her quon-
dam seat with the air with which he might
have offered her warmedover pancake But,
fortunately for the colonel the brain of his fair
companion was at that moment in 30 delightful
whirl that the stoicism of his manner escaped
her. Conquest was an everyday matter with
Miss Stewart, but an eagle on the strap, together
with the physique of bronze Hercules, and eyes
which looked unutterable things out OF their
liquid depths were sufficiently inspiring to cause
the lady a. delicious thrill of triumph, as the
sibJugated hero seated himself beside her with
that air of exclusive possession hattering to the
female consciousness
As the night wore on, there gradually dawned
upon the majors wife the conviction that her
slippers were size too small; but not go the
voice of her conscience. For FIVE mortal hours
mad the colonel held his victim and only thrice
mad they whirled past among the dancers-a stu
auon whth Mrs. Dauderdae could longer
contemplate with composure. Her vague misgiv-
ings were rapidly resolving themselves into har-
rowing certainty. She could endure the sus-
pense no longer Complaining Of the heat, she
made her way conveyed by her favorite lieuten-
ant, to underground which commanded a
view of the hall window. Yes, there was the
colonel in the very act of receiving luscious
Niphetos bud from the blue bodice-a fambe, or
the majors wife didn't know the pantomime.
Excusing herself to her escort, she darted into
the supper room, where party of Benedicts were
still regaling themselves with cards and tobacco.
Calling the major aside, she whispered, with fran
tic vehemence, "Do go, Mat and get the colonel
on his feet-quickl"
What! not KEITH" exclaimed the major, ex-
citedly
Y es," she groaned; ''he's done for completely"
Where" demanded the major, craning his
neck in the direction indicated. "Why, confound
1t, EN-, there's Keith straight as string, do
ing the gallant in that internal grotto of yours"
he added.
81 tell you, he's done for" repeated his wife.
II guess I know what I saw with my own eyes
'Well what did he do?"
"Do' repeated his wife, scornfully. "I guess
you'd know il you'd seen him, begging for one
of Elaines roses, with his head on one side like
perfect goose If I'd dreamed he was
such a softy-" But her feelings were too
much for her
"Is that ALL" roared the major. His mirth at
tracted the attention OF his companions, to the
great indignation of Mrs. Lauderdale "'Why
hang it, En- you told him to make love like the
very deuce"
you're just as horrid as you can be, Mat
Lauderdale!" And with glance of deep re-
proach the little lady turned upon her heel and
left the major to his own reflections. Finding
herself near an open door, she glided out.
The cool air famed her brow but remorse fol-
lowed close upon her heels, for louder than the
music rose the wall of deserted wife, the mother
of twins How her feet ached! and how tempting
looked that bench within earshot of the window
where her interests centred! She despised caves
dropping, she told herself, but was it not un-
questionably her duty to mount guard over the
fire she had kindled? Convinced that it was,
she glided to the bench, and sank down, de-
moralized little heap of feminine duplicity.
"How stupid of Uncle Sam to order you off
to the Indian country!" she could hear Miss
Stewart saying.
Eyes, but we've had our turn in clover" the
colonel responded philosophically. "Some long
defrauded son of the forest is doubtless growing
impatient for lock of my hair I dare say 1
shall fall victim to his chopping-knife.
Zone can hardly imagine such lack of ap-
preciation even in savage" Miss Stewart re-
piled, thoughtfully, and she took in the colonels