The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-08-31

Ieet, where II mad fallen from ms re-
laxed fingers Amid the iumbled mis-
cellany on the desk was q little cairn
OF unopened letters, the evening mail
Miss Viyien Swobe, after mysteri-
ously studying the situation through
n slight parting of the arras. entered
the room and walked to the desk. Miss
Swobe never glided, but her walking
was an act Of grace, and her footballs
were light as drifting rose leaves.
Young bedrock, her fathers secretary,
had often informed her TO that effect
The girl noiselessiy sorted the un-
opened letters, isolating two adj
dressed to herself and one addressed
to her father. The latter bore for
eign stamp and the impress of coat
OF arms. This letter she quietly slit
open and. after cautious glance at
its browsing owner, proceeded to read
At the end she compressed her lips
into a thin, crimson Cupid's bow that
looked as if it might be capable OF
throwing extremely sharp and rank
ling arrows.
The lovely adventures tfor SO the
cct proclaimed herr secreted the pur-
loined letter inrwhataver cul-de.sac of
her silken dinner gown the gallery
may elect to be the most alluring, and
Notwithstanding on gossamer--to her
fathers side, drew up a hassock and
sat down with an elbow ON the arm OF
his chair, fitting her mouse-mantled
head until a cheek rested on his knee.
her face turned from him. So soon
as she had got herself comfortable in
this position she reached out a hand
and pinched the slumberer's left ankle.
She was his only child and he still
called her baby"
At the psychological moment that
the old gentleman opened his eyes
with a mild start his clinging daugh-
ter uttered subdued but broken
hearted little Sob. Mr.. Swobe re-
manned motionless, stupidity staring at
the mousey head on his knee Vivien
did not sob again, but now and then
long-drawn, hopeless sigh escaped her
WHEN, little girl. what's the mat
tcr?"
Nothing. poppy
He put out caressing hand on the
mousey tresses.
ITS nothing, poppy she purred
again. i just get cry-ey sometimes
and cant help it. The duke is coming
tomorrow. isn't he. poppy?"
He tried to twist his head around
to look into her face, his own sudden
ly hardening; but the velvet check
clung and swerved with his.
Yes, the Puritania should be in to-
morrow" he said. speaking less ten
derly than before. Il hope, Vivien,
that you are not letting that thought
worry you into crying tantrums. Don't
be foolish. dear. A year from now
you and and-and another will laugh
together over your present romantic
notions. ] hope you are not going to
worry old poppy by being obstinate,
little girl?"
Il would be willing to give up Jack
Mr.. Dedrock--for your sake, poppy;
but IL don't care for the duke /
would rather retire from the world al
together"
Nonsense. child! My daughter in a
convent?"
"Oh. didn't mean that But would
like to go on the stage"
"Ahem.r coughed Mr.. Swobe. Re
tire from the world-go on the stage
IAN OF my friends say that | have
great natural histrionic talent that
only needs to be cultivated" ayerred
vivien complacently.
Sometimes" reflected Mr.. Swobe-
sometimes ! am OF the same opin-
ion.''
"Of course ? he added. "all such talk
is sheerest nonsense. You must prom.
Use me, Vivien that. il all goes well.
you will not hesitate to take your
rightful place in the world when the
time arrives"
When the duke arrives, you mean,
laughed Vivien TREMENDOUSLY. And
nothing more was said until dinner
was announced.
Scene, the same Time, afternoon
of the next day. Enter the Due de
vintinta y Bogusa, after his card--an
exceptionally broad-shouldered Cali
clan. wifi imnstache and chintuft in
the fashion OF the lesser Napoleons.
Before Mr.. Swobe had reached his feet
the nervous Frenchman let fly a vol
ley Of his native language that almost
caused the old man to stagger back.
ward.
Il don't speak French, duke he
expostulated politely.
POUNDS. How IL zeez Ameariques
what you call zee damp fool! Anglaise
nozzing but Anglaisei Zee
educate Pareesian spik all--damp An
glaise so! Come, spils Anglaise wiz
vous--we spik business Queek."
He threw himself into the sacred
leaving his host standing in
tho middle OF the floor. Alonzo
Swobe capped at his guest with some
thing OF the aspect 6fa bull in its own
pasture when it first glimpses the girl
artist In the red jacket. He surmised
that the duke was the worse for wine.
but he excused no man on that