The Spectator. (Ozark, Ark.) 1911-1916, 1914-10-02

\ .
him The women about here treat
him abominably. They come at all
times of the day and night, use his
card room, order his servants about,
drink his whisky and smoke his Gig
arettes, and generally invite them
selves to luncheon and tea and dinner.
And then, when they are ready to go
back to their villas or hotel, take his
motor-boat without thank you The
| colonel has about three thousand
pounds outside his half-pay, and they
are all crazy to marry him because
his sister is countess. AS bach
/ elor he can live like prince. but as
a married man he would have to dig.
| He told me that if he had been born
Adam, he'd have climbed over Eden's
walls long before the Angel of the
| Flaming Sword padded him out. Says
| he's always going to be a bachelor,
unless ! take pity on him." mischiev-
| ously
Has he - in Mortified tones.
About three times a visit Nora
admitted; but / told him that I'd be
daughter, cousin, or a niece to him,
or even q grandchild. The latter pre-
scented too many complications so we
| compromised on niece"
Il wish ! knew when you were seri-
| Gus and when you were fooling"
Il am often as serious when am
| fooling as | am foolish when am seri-
! Gus -
Nora, you will have me shrieking
in minute!" despaired the mother
Did the colonel really propose TO
you?"
Only in fun"
Celeste laughed and threw her arm
around the mothers waist, less ample
than substantial. Don't you care.
Nora is being pursued by little devils
and is venting her spite on u.s."
There'll be too much Burgundy and
tobacco, to say nothing of the awful
steries."
With the good old padre there?
Hardly" said Nora
Celeste was a French woman. Il
confess that like a good story that
isn't vulgar. And none of them look
like men who would stoop to vul-
garity''
That's about all you know Of men,
declared Mrs. Harrigan.
Il am willing to give them the bene-
tit OF q doubt"
Celeste" cried Nora, gaily. I've
an idea. Surprising you and l run
back after dinner and hide in the card
room, which is right across from the
dining room? Then we can Judge for
ourselves"
Nora Harrigan!"
Molly Harrigan!" mimicked the in.
corrigible. Mother mine, you must
learn to recognize a jest"
All. but yours!"
Fine" cried Celeste.
AS II to put final period to the
discussion, Nora began to hum aud
IDLY an aria from Aida.
They engaged carriage In the vii
lage and were driven up to the villa.
On the way Mrs Harrigan discussed
the stranger, Edward Courtlandt What
fine looking young man he was. and
how adventurous. how well-connected,
how enormously rich, and what an ex.
cellent catch, She and Celeste-the
one innocently and the other provo
catively-continued the subject to the
very doors OF the villa. All the while
Nora hummed softly.
What do you think Of him. Nora?"
the mother inquired.
Think of whom"
This Mr.. Courtlandt"
"Oh. l didn't pay uch attention to
him." carelessly. Aout once alone with
Celeste, she seized her by the arm, a
little roughly. Celeste, love you
better than any outsider l know. But
If you ever discuss that man In my
presence again. shall cease to regard
you even as an acquaintance. He has
come here for the purpose of annoy
ing me. though he promised the pre-
feet in Paris never to annoy me again"
The prefect!"
Yes. The morning left Versailles
met him in the private office Of the
project. He had powerful friends who
aided him in establishing an alibi.
was only a woman. so | didn't count"
Mora, IL l have meddled In any
way" proudly. 1T has been because
| love you, and l see you unhappy.
You have nearly killed me with your
sphinx.like actions You have never
asked me the result OF my spying for
you that night. Spying Ia not one OF
my usual vocations. but did 1t gladly
for you"
You gave him my address," coldly.
Il did not. l convinced him that l
had come at the behest OF Flora Dssi-
none. He demanded her address.
which l gave him II ever there was
a man in a fine rage. It was he as he
left me to go there. II he found out
where we lived. the Calabrian assisted
him. l spoke to him rather plainly