The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-06-22
The Perfect VITA


was highly gratiiied by the joyful
proceedings or unutterably bored.
He behaved, from his mothers point
OF view, in the most exemplary fash
ion. II the weather happened to be
fine he rode with the lovely Lady
Erny IN the morning, mo-
tored with the wealthy Miss Dinor-
ben in the afternoon, AMI danced all
the evening with the witty Rachel
BuTney. n, rs was more often the
case. the weather was vet 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-
! formance by the Naughty Little
! Grille" Company from the Frlvolity
| Theater including Miss Esmee Chal-
! Toner and Mr.. Handel Browne a
| their original parts.
Whichever of the girls you elect
- make your Wife" said Lady
Strathspey to her son, "you must
escort to the seats | have reserved
for You and your future bride
am tired OF this long suspense. AID
am anxious to welcome with ooen
arms the woman Of your choice. Pray
let there be an end OF this dllly-
dallying"
He strolled into the great hall at
tAe hour devoted TO afternoon tea,
and there, scattered about In small
groups, he found the greater part OF
his guests Under a pretense OF
fetching her another cup of tea. he
managed to whisper TO Miss Burney,
May have the pleasure of taking
YOU to see the Naughty Little Grille
this evening""
"Oh. thank you immensely Lord |
Strathspey | should have been tre-
mendously glad. only have prom |
Used Mr.. Kiliby to go with him We
ara going to collaborate in writing &
play. YOU know; and while the
Naughty Grille is going we shall |
have a splendid chance for talking
over our plot"
what an extraordinary coinci-
dence," observed Cosmo Il was GO
ing to talk 70 you about a title"
Really! How overwhelmingly fun
ny! But the title can wait till we
have finished our play, can't it2''
u don't know" returned Cosmo.
Wen see about that, later on"
And he deftly intercepted Miss
Dnorben, who with yellow novel
under her arm, was making her way
up the grand staircase.
Say, Miss Dinorben." he drawlCd
She turned slowly on the fourth
step and looked down at him
"Will you do me the honor of &C.
cepting my escort to the theater to-
night" he asked
ooh. why didn't you ask me be-
tore7" 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 race you know"
"A race?"
Yes. Between you and the Dlke
Of Burslem. He has won by head"
HIM 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 It fell out that the two chairs
yet apart for Cosmo and his fiance by
lady Strathspey were vacant The =
Earl was nowhere to be seen, and his
mother tortured hefself with sur
Rises as TO his whereabouts. The !
hree ladies were present in the !,
heater, SO evidently the three hopes (,
o which she had clung were com
,letely shattered.
When the guests had raced away i
n their motors, and the house-party {
we're retiring to their respective q
ooms. Lady Strathspey sat defect
dly alone In her boudoir There en- y
cred TO her suddenly, flushed with d
Enthusiasm, and stammerlng with
nwonted excitement her beloved n
on. {
Give me JOY, dear mother!" he e
ried IL have found her. / have Of o
cred my hand and heart, and they a
ave both been accepted. We are q
etrothed! The bridal morn is fixed, o
nd nothing remains but to invite Y
he wedding guests. AT last have Il
nearthed herr" Ct
Let ME see her at once" she II
ried, I'm an ecstacy. Bring her 10 j.
le that | may give you both my k
lessing" W
Cosmo drew aside a silken por- Ia
ere. and led forth into his mothers Il
resence Miss Esmee Challoner, the h
riginal Naughty Little Grille from tf
ne Frivolity Theater. 81
She is now the Countess of Strath- G
4 n