The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-07-03

please himself. And ! do not blame
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 a countess. AS bach
elor he can live like a 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 bachelor,
unless take pity on him." pischiev-
ously.
Has he z" In Mortified tones.
About three times VISIT" Nora
admitted; "but told him that I'd be
a daughter, cousin. or niece to him,
or even grandchild The latter pre-
scented too many complications, SO we
compromised on niece"
i wish knew when you were seri-
GUS and when you we're fooling.
II am often as serious when / am
fooling as am foolish when am seri-
GUS
Vi Nora, you will have me shrieking
in a minute!" despaired the mother.
Did the colonel really propose to
your"
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
stories"
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 stdbp to yul-
garity.'
That's about all you know OF men, Z
declared Mrs. Harrigan.
Il am willing to give them the bene-
tit Of a doubt"
Celeste" cried Nora, gaily. I've
an idea Surprising you and run
back after dinner and hide in the card
room. which is right across from the
dining room? Then we can judge for
ourselves"
Mora Harrigan!"
Molly Harrigan!" mimicked the In
corrigible. Mother mine, you must
learn to recognize jest
All, but yours!''
'Fine!" cried Celeste.
AS if to put final period to the
discussion, Nora began to hum aud
IDLY an aria from Aida
They engaged a carriage in the vii
lage and were driven up to the villa.
On the way Mrs. Harrigans discussed
the stranger, Edward Courtlandt What
q 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 Tslla. All the while
Nora hummed sosSly.
What do you think OF him, Nora p
the mother inquired
think of whom"
This Mr.. CORTLAND"
"Oh. didn't pay much attention tc
him." carelessly But once alone with
Celeste, she seized her by the arm, 9
little roughly. Celeste, love you
better than any outsider 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 this
| project He had powerful friends whs
| aided him in establishing an alibi.
was only woman, SO j didn't count.
Nora, If / have meddled in an,
way" proudly, 1T has been because
love you, and see you unhappy
You have nearly killed me with YOU
sphinx-like actions. You have nevel
asked me the result Of my spying 70
you that night Spying is not one o
my usual vocations. but l did 1t gladl!
for you"
You gave him my address," coldly
Il did not. / convinced him that
had come at the behest of Flora Desi
none. He demanded her address
which gave him. If ever there wa
man in fine rage, it was he as HI
left me to go there. II he found on
where we lived. the CAlabrian assiste,
him. spoke to him rather plainl,