The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-01-25
MsCGlE'S STRATAGEM.
BY MACDE.

ooh! Maggie, your brother is just
driving up in that elegant little ha-
roucLe Of his, and is no doubt coming
to take you out for IL drive this eve
ming" fairly screamed, Nettie Hamil-
ton, rushing into Maggie's room one
Friday evening, after the duties of the
day were over iii the large and fash
ionable seminary where she, and half
hundred other young ladies We're ''fn-
ishing off"
"And, see dear, no one is in the car
rage but himself, and ! know the rea-
sun why. He knows-tl,e dear, noble
fellow-how tiresome it is for us poor
girls to be always poking over our
books without ever breath of fresh
air, and he left seat fol me, bless his
kind heart"
And she caught the wondering Mag
gle in her arms, and pressed Kiss after
kiss on lip, check and brow, whisper
ing softly and playfully, 'Let ne kiss
her for her brother" much to her lis
tener's lily concealed disgust.
"Ah! Maggie dear" complained Net
} tie in her saftest tones, as they passed
down the stairs to the pallor, 'you &c
not know what cruel tricks that little
god of love can play sometimes with
our poor hearts; bat what am l say
lug? Oh don't for the world, sweet
repeat it to your brother, for what
would he think of me ?"
IL shall not repeat it, you may bt
sure said Maggie coldly, at the same
time diseDgaging herself from The
clinging arms, and running in to gree
, her handsome brother.
.sWant to go out riding, little sister
u And Miss Net,ie, nothing would max
l. me so happy this evening as your owl
!. sweet company
Il accept your invi alton with pleas
: ure. How good and kind OF you t
|. think of poor duh me-"
After pleasant interchange OF flat
L. tering speeches on both sides for fe'
b. minutes, Henry Thornton rose to g
and bidding them be ready, promise
! to return in half an hour.
n. Before Maggie left the parlor, how
ever, she had another visitor, and fro
), certain untailing signs this one bid II,
j.. to be, .ome day, nearer and dearer e.
en- than Il brother.
ooh, Dick" said little sober-fac'
ne Maggie, frightening up under the ma
=" ~. zeal influence of his presence, and I'll
cy ming to meet him with ontstretch
hands, cant You help me to outv
ON that heartless tlirt of Netties She
I'm running off with poor Henry's hea
'a If and you just should have heard her
nh wife herself to GO with us this evenl'
eb- What shall do to make her show IL
rth self in her true cplors to dear brother
. "Sit down here, then, and let us Il
IT. the matter over. She has broken
les nv little chat with you this even
nes' while riding, and feel savage enot
nnry for anything" said Dick, and the
In lovers put their heads together to w
II " out Il plan that would entrap the be
teous Nettie into betraying hersel
/, III And Nettic was one Of the most he
teous girls that the sun ever shonc
on. Tall and graceful, with lnsti
y. black eyes, and the sweetest OF iho''
it was pleasure to look upon her
en-, Added to the attractions OF
g.. face was Il certain witchery OF maj
that captivated all hearts, and
reigned tie uudisputed queen OF
81, little circle of school visitors.
But with her schoolmates Nettie
] NJ. not favoritc by any means.
ricrs knew her to be cold and calcula
Sehs with scarcely drop of the "mil
and human kindness" in her veins.
the beautiful eyes could flash scorn1
-, ~. and the rosy lips could say bitserv
to the humble child of poverty,
r the the arms and shoulders. of the yol
" , amn pupils bore frequent evidence 9
malignancy of her temper.
from Henry Thornton had fallen a "
-. ~. victim to her charms, and as h
both wealthy and handsome, thu
Ian beauty determined on securing
,Ey prize as quickly as possible, and