The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-12-14


Here had got myself into no end Of
a mess, and most probably lost two
+ good friends. at least, not to mention
making myself utterly ridiculous, over
this confounded business, and all the
time / might have guessed who was
the real offender l wished now that
l had waited before casting suspicious
upon the hospitable captain and the
influential Mr.. Porter, both OF whom
would doubtless cut me dead in the
future. But, alas when a man is in
my condition, he Suddenly an idea
occurred to me.
Very well, my fine fellow" / said,
thrusting the letter into my pocket,
I'VE shall see-what we shall see. He
who laughs first laughs worst. This
will settle your little game, at any
ratel"
III
Miss Mainwaring was at home.
made my way up to the dainty blue
and white shrine in which Kitty re-
ceived her most devoted worshippers.
found her standing by a small tea
table in the center Of the room when
entered
"Ah" she exclaimed, running to
meet me, Il am glad you have comet"
Not more so than | am" ! replied
pressing her hand warmly
"Oh, heaps!' she said gaily. Il am
just dying to hear the news. Have
you discovered anything?"
II have" said /, taking seat by
the teatable. Il have discovered ev
erything"
She clapped her hands delightedIy.
"You dear old thingl" she cried. q
knew you would Who was it?"
1T was that misguided nephew of
mine," / announced gloomily.
For moment ] thought she was
going to get up and dance round the
room. Then suddenly she became
grave, and the light died out Of her
eyes
'"Ohl" she remarked, "it was Jack,
was it?"
Eyes" said I, "it was Jack"
She poured out a cup of tea and
passed it to me, keeping her eyes fixed
on the tea-cosy the while
Then we talked about other matters
until it was time for me to 60
Goodbye" she said; "and thank
you for taking so much trouble"
1T was no trouble" l assured her.
One must do the polite thing, you
know, at any cost.
Il can only hope" I continued, "that
in time you will be able to forgive my
nephew for such an act of gross i'm
pertinence."
"Ah, yes!" she answered warmly, "I
think-yes. am really very glad it
was Jack"
"Oh!" l calculated sharply.
Rather than one of the others" she
concluded hastily.
w.
wandered disconsolately in a less
frequented part of the avenue trying
to think things out. 1t was now close
upon month since my last tete-a-tete
with Kitty, and during that time / had
never once been able to catch her
alone. Indeed, on most Of the occa-
sions when ! called she was out.
piece of bad luck / had not hitherto
been accustomed to; and when did
find her in, she was either surrounded
by friends, or engaged in elaborate
sewing operations which necessitated
the constant attendance of her maid.
Once or twice, too, l caught sight of
Master Jack in town, when by the
calendar he ought to have been pursu
ing his studies; and the circumstance
coupled with his obvious anxiety to
avoid me, filled my mind with vague
foreboding.
What the deuce does it mean?" !
asked myself, as / strobe along with
eyes thoughtfully bent upon the
ground, regardless alike Of passers-by
and the people who would have passed
by had l not collided with them.
/ cannoned off an eminent dignitary
Of the church, and ran full tilt against
a smartly dressed couple who were
lodging round the episcopal back. Il
could only see the billowy edging Of
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