Picture Stories Magazine (Sept 1914-Feb 1915)

FATHER'S FLIRTATION. 15^ wouldn't deceive you. Do you know," he added, " I took a fancy to you the first moment I saw you." The lady sighed again and smiled. How you do go on," she said. " I like your suit." Mr. Bunny surveyed himself complacently. Yes, rather smart, I think," he said. Then edging still nearer to the lady, he murmured, " You're awfully pretty. I'd like to kiss you. Would you mind — ^just one ? " The lady held up her finger, frowning and smiling at the same time in a most bewitching way. " You naughty, naughty man," she said, and would probably have said more if there had not been a ring at the door bell at thatmoment. " Some ladies to see you, m'm," said a maid, putting her head between the curtains, and Mr. Bunny's charming friend left him alone. * * * If Mr. Brnny had enjoyed himself, his wife's experiences had not been so pleasant. She was not at all pleased with the room which had been allotted to her. She considered that her daughter's apartment was uncomfortable and badly furnished, and she quickly formed a very unfavourable opinion of the landlady. " Pack up your things, Betty," she said. " We'll find somewhere else to stay." " I should think," said the landlady, spitefully, ' judging by some people's manners, that my house is a good deal better than some people have been used to." " If you mean me," retorted Mrs. Bunny, hotly, "let me tell you that I consider you a vulgar, impertinent person. I shall take my daughter away at once. Manners, indeed." " P'haps you'll pay me what's due," said the landlady, " if you've got the money, that is — -which I doubt. Then you can go and welcome. I have only gentlefolk in my house." Mrs. Bunny deigned no reply in words, but she paid the money, and the landlady walked off with her nose in the air, making further withering remarks about "' some people." Their belongings were soon packed, and Mrs. Bunny and Betty left the house. The landlady stood at the door to see them off, and there was another wordy battle on the steps. Two ladies who were passing the house stayed to listen, and learning that Mrs. Bunny and her daughter were seeking apartments, suggested their own boarding house. Mrs. Sweet will just love to have you," said one of them, that very " Marie " whohad been so amused by the spectacle of Mr. Bunny in his Rah-rah " clothes. The four ladies walked off together, and it was their ring at Mrs. Sweet's door bell that had interrupted Mr. Bunny's love making. That gentleman presently heard a voice he knew only too well. He peeped cautiously between the curtains, and there in the hall, within a few feet of him, saw to his dismay — his wife and Betty. He heard his wife say that they wanted rooms, and waited to hear no more. A hurried glance round showed him a door on the other side, and he wa& through it in a moment. He saw stairs, and sprang up several steps at once. Reaching the top, he opened the first door he came to, and found himself in a bedroonu He had made his escape only just in time. Mrs. Sweet showed her callers into the drawing-room, and looked round for Mr. Bunny. He was nowhere to be seen, and excusing herself for a moment, she hurried out into the hall. Not a sign of him was visible, and much puzzled, she returned tO' her new guests. After a talk about terms she led the way upstairs, and Mr. Bunny was scared almost out of his life by the sound of their voices and footsteps approaching the very room in which he had taken refuge. Without a second's hesitation he dived under the bed, and lay there quaking. He heard his wife assuring Mrs. Sweet that the room would suit very nicely. Then the landlady went away. " I wonder where on earth your father is," said Mrs. Bunny. " He's up to mischief somewhere, I'll be bound, leaving all the worry and work to me as usual. As soon as you have unpacked, Betty, you must go and look for him. I won't have him wandering about a strange town alone." "All right, mother," said Betty. " I won't be five minutes unpacking. You lie down and rest. I'm sure you're tired." Her mother obeyed, and presently Betty went to search for the lost one. Mr. Bunnywas in a pretty predicament. He was almost afraid to breathe, for the least movement might bring disaster. He had never been so uncomfortable in his life, and wished with all his heart that he had