El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-27
A Planned Affair
(By Harold Ralston.)

heard my mother say, and and.
him a good wife,
Il quite agree with you." my father
replied.
gasped and chung to the balcony
| balustrade, to prevent myself IRON
falling, so surprised was 1. They were
actually arranging a marriage for me
OF all the preposterous things / haC
ever heard, there was nothing to equa
this.
to know the name of this very nice
fellow"-ughi hated him already. sc
1 stepped into the room.
II overheard what you were saying
about me- 1 began. land 1 don't think
it is at all nice"
One moment, Esther" my father
broke in, let us have an understand
ing on the subject. We were going to
speak to you this evening about sill
Richard"
OH So it was sir Richard Lancaster.
/ had never seen him, although L had
often heard his. praises sung. How
do detest those people whom everyone
praises,
1T is lady Lancaster's wish, and our
own, that you and sir Richard should
become engaged" my father resumed.
'Of course if either of you found the
other distasteful-'' He paused and
shrugged his shoulders
So there was a loophole- Already sir
Richard was distasteful to me.
Lady Lancaster wants you to go
and stay at Lancaster house" began
my mother, taking up the attack. You
and sir Richard will then be able to
see each other a great deal"
1 returned to my room after having
entered into a sort of capitalization. In
other words am not quite sure OF
the previous sentence 1 agreed to go
to Lancaster house for an indefinite
period. There was a house party being
held there. so I could manage to enjoy
myself, at any rate
The awkward part of it all was that
no one knew of Jack Malcolmn- We
had met at several garden parties, and
I liked him awfully. He asked me to
marry him last time we met, but ]
wasn't quite sure and told him to wait
Well about 10 days later 1 travelled up
to London, stayed the night with my
aunt and left Kings Cross on the fol-
lowing morning.
Lancaster house-is beautifully sit
uated in the heart of a breezy York
shire moor. and but, for the wretched
nj ghtmare of sir Richard 1 felt 1 could
have a lovely time
When I got out at the little country
station there was an awfully smart
dogcart drawn up by the platform
Are you from Lancaster house." ]
asked the man in charge.
Yes" he replied
Presently we were bowling along the
quiet country road that stretched
across the moor. Then we passed
some wooded country, and
presently. through a belt of trees.
saw an old grey house
rs that Lancaster house?" / asked.
Yes, miss the driver replied
Can I get there by that path?" I
queried. pointing to a sweet little path
that went zigzagging up towards the
house.
THAT leads to Lancaster house"
Then I'll get down and walk" j
said.
'T, don't think mother would like
that he said.
Mother I cried, in wonder. who
are your
meekly.
II presume I am speaking to sir
Lancaster? Il said. in very
stiff tones
AT your service" he replied.
sYou might have told me who you
were,' I went on. in high dudgeon.
He laughed tightly and showed two
rows of exquisite teeth. 1 had never
noticed how good teeth become man
until then.
You took me for the coachman,"
he said. and now I noticed how musical
MS voice was. "I didn't like to unde-
ceive you at once"
We bowled along in silence for about
1 mile
Here we are, Miss Douglas" sud-
ienly came sir Richards voice and at
hat moment we passed through some
odge gates and swung up to the drive.
Presently lady Lancaster had well
coined me. and I was seated in duck
If a bedroom all picked out in pale
green, gold, and white.
The days quickly slipped. by, tennis, |
coating. driving, croquet and host |
# other enjoyments adding to their |
peed.
Strangely enough, 1 had not heard a |
word concerning. the possible engage |
nent, except from lady Lancaster on |
he morning after my arrival
The time slipped by rapidly, and |
ever another word about the don't |
now what to call 1t. I believe x /
epresents the unknown quantity in al
Zebra, so I'll call the arrangement"
:. began TO wonder whether sir /
Richard had forgotten X. 1t worried |
ne and preyed on my mind. At last I
esolved to bring matters to a head
nd and make sir Richard give me his
Jews
The opportunity came one evening as
re were coming back from a picnic up
he river. Sir Richard and 1 had some
ow got a skiff to ourselves
"Er-sir Richard" 1 began, and
aused-
Yes" he replied helpfully
You know why-er-why I came
ere?"
"Oh, yesS' was his reply.
We'll, what do you think of it alp"
sked helplessly, unconsciously repeat
lg the words of great statesman.
Rather queer, isn't it?" he asked.
The fact isl / floundered on. now
opelessly out of my. depth and not
airing a scrip what / said" the fact is,
have "a friend. Mr.. Malcolmn.
Not Jack Malcolm?" asked sir Rich
I'd, with, suddenly awakened interest.
Yes. hi; name is Jack. Dc you know
imp"
Il knew a Jack Malcolm at Balliol. i
-onder If II is the same?