Life — December 5, 1907 — page 44: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

2 LTR E* “Really,” she said, looking gently at the young chap, “I haven't decided yet just where we shall go. Perhaps”—she smiled at me—we shall meet after all.” “If we do,” I replied, “I shall consider that Providence knows its business,” and with this I walked away Now, Iam an awful fool about some things. I had laid the foundation of a pretty quarrel—for I saw the young chap was mad with jealousy, and was bound to blunder, and yet as I made off, the only thing that disturbed me was whether I should have said “‘his business” or “her bu ness.” For surely Providence cannot be But whether feminine or masculine—well, you can search me! I never expect to know. However, I had made a beginning. And by not pushing myself forward—by recognizing the claim of the young chap—somehow this seemed to give me an advantage. Because I had been fair and square with him this time made it easier to use everything against him the next time. And 1 improved my opportunities. We did not meet that afternoon, but that eve- ning I handed her a new novel that I could recommend. The next morning I took her out on the lake. In the afternoon we went for a walk, while the young chap sulked. She was in truth a magnificent creature. I have never held the hand of a finer. At eight o’clock of that night in the shadow of the Inn piazza, I was sailing along, as the sailors say, with everything set and a ripping breeze on the larboard quarter. At cight-fifteen I began to overhaul my exten- sive vocabulary of love. At eight-thirty I was handing it out in easy instalments. At eight forty-five one arm was around her waist. At nine I was considering the possibilities of the other. But all things end, and at ten o’clock I was obliged to kiss her good-night and go in, for in this benighted place everything shut up at ten. Thinking the evening fine enough for a solitary cigar, I was about to step out alone, when I was suddenly confronted by the young chap. He motioned me out under one of the trees. “Look here,” he said, “how long are you going to keep this up?” “Keep what up?” I said, in surprise—as if I didn’t know. “Come!” he said, roughly, “you know what I mean all right. I was here first, wasn’t 1? Now what business have you to cut me out?” “My dear fellow,” I protested, “‘aren’t you talking nonsense?” At this he was furious. “Tl show you whether I’m talking nonsense or not!” he cried. “She was mine, I tell you, and I know what you’ve been up to. You're a contemptible cur.” I began to get warm myself. But I managed to keep my temper. Besides, incredible as it may seem, and after all my experience, I really loved her. She was so swect, so winsome, that night, indeed, I had been in heaven, and I felt that so much had been given to me, that I could afford to be magnanimous. “Let us discuss this matter calmly,” I sa “My friend, be reasonable. Doubtless you re here first, and you assume that I had no right to intrude. That is true, in one sense. But vou must remember that if you had the advantage in point of time, I had a perfect right to offset this by any other legitimate method I chose.” He sprang toward me. “You villain!” he exclaimed, “V'll’—— He raised his hand. Nothing was more undesirable than to have a scene. I realized instantly that if the affair got to her cars her sympathy for him might be awakened. I was getting on too well to have any- thing like that happen—if I could avoid it. “Now, wait a moment,” I said. “Can't you see I’m here just for a few days’ idleness? Why, T don’t even know who the young lady is. Good heavens! my friend, if I were so much bent on spoiling your chances, wouldn’t I naturally go about it in another way? Why, she may have a husband somewhere! How do I know but she is already engaged to another? She may be engaged to you. Don’t you see”. “No,” he interrupted, “I see nothing but that you are an insolent puppy, and you've butted in where you're not wanted. Now, sir, we must have this out. You'll meet me to-morrow, you understand. There’s a place near the falls.” “What do you mean?” I asked, dumb- founded. “TI mean,” he replied, “that we'll take a shot This story continued on page 697 Z 1 bee : Club Cockt ails All the mixing experi- ence in the world can- not possibly produce at haphazard a drink as perfect in its exquis- ite flavor. CLUB COCKTAILS are measure-mixed—a master blend of choice old liquors aged in oa of fine, full fra- grance, smooth and Pa @@hristmas ie ga CLUB COCKTAILS are a fitting preface to a Merry Christmas Dinner. palatable — the most delightful appetizer imaginable. Martini, gin base, and Manhat- At Seven kinds tan, whiskey base, are the most popular. all good dealers. G. F. HEUBLEIN & BRO. Hartford. New York. London.