The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-21
ANNErTE'S PLOT.

1
ANNErTE'S PLOT.
| Annette Vance was born mischief
maker. She could see nothing wrong in
promoting petty squabbles between her
friends. 1t made them so uncomfortable
while the variance lasted, and SO ridicu-
lous when all was discovered to be mis-
take, that Annette found capital fun in
it. But nothing afforded her quite so
much amusement as getting up what she
called "harmless quarrels" between Ioy-
ers. That, in her esteem, capped the
climax of enjoyment.
Not that Annette was malicious or
wicked. She would have shrunk from
Intentionally doing harm to any one. She
was merely thUughtless. With all her
fondness of mischief, she could be true
! friend, and such she was to Nora Grit
fifth, who had come to spend a month with
her, who had been her schoolmate, and
from whom Nora had no secrets-not
even that of her engagement to Justin
| Grey.
Tie current of Nora's and Justin's
| love had run so smooth that Annette
half blamed herself that nothing had oc-
CURED to ripple its surface. Such a
courtship, she felt, must be quite insipid:
| hence she resolved to do something to
break its monotony. This she deemed
mere act of friendship. Lovers happiest
moments are when they make up; but
| how are they to make up If they never
quarrel? A little tiff between Nora and
Justin, from Annette's standpoint, was
essential to their complete felicity.
| Annette's plan was simple and sosn
matured. On her list OF friends was a
young gentleman of pleasing manners,
agreeable person, moderate capacity,
and unbounded admiration of the SEX
He deemed it every woman's due to be
paid court to, and every mans duty to
accept her decision without complaint.
Such, in hgief, was Percival Blythe,
whom Annette lost no time in introduce
ing to her friend, confident that he would
not be slow to improve the new opportu-
nifty thus thrown in his way.
Norwere Annette's expectations at all
disappointed, though PercivaI had tact
enough to avoid giving alarm by proceed
ing too rashly at first. He was politely
attentive, but did nothing TO lead Nora
to suspect that, in receiving his atten-
tions, she was doing aught inconsistent
with her engagement to Justin Grey.
A fashionable ball was to come off, and
Annette so managed that Percival was
to be Nora's escort--an arrangement to
which tine latter readily assented; for
Mr.. Blythe was altogether the most
agreeable gentleman she had met Since
her visit to Annette, and ii she mast go
to the ball, she preferred going with him.
Now for Annette's plot.
1t was to write letter to Justin Grey
inviting him to the ball, intimating that
Nora and herself had talked the matter
j over, and limiting that Nora, though dy-
| Il: Ia;
enCe on the coming occuSlOn, had heSi-
tated to ask of him what he might regard
as girlish whim.
"Hence." continued Annette, 81 have
taken it upon myself to urge you to come.
| You can take the afternoon train and be
here in time, and the morning train will
take you back in season tor the provok-
ing business Of yours about which Nora
makes such mighty bother. l need not
mention how agreeably surpriged she
will be to see you, nor make use of
further persuasion to induce your COM
ing. Knowing as you now do, Nora's
| wishes, it would be akin to rudenesS not
to respect them."
George, in whose house she dweIt, to
put il in the post, and kept her own
counsel.
"What nice little breeze there'll be-"
she chuckled to herself, "when Justin
comes ana finds Nora all ready to 20 to
| the ball with Percival Blythe, and that
gentleman doing his killingist to make
an impression? Won't there be scenew
Annette waited patiently for the even
| ing of the ball. She was sure Justin
would come. He was too devoted to No
ra to stay away after intimation that she
desired his presence.
A q hn xrh ioh oh nv fn1 T.ro
| tin's arrival approached, Annette be-
came nervous. She knew his impeLuous
temper, and was not quite sure to what
length 1T might carry him. She dressed
and came down early, feeling it safe TO
be In the way to explain matters should
things be in danger Of going too far.
"Strange justin is not here" she said
to herself. ''Ips past the time for the
| train. 1t must have met with some de.
lay. Ali there's the whistle now."
Had Nora been apprised that Justin
was coming she would scarcely have
tarried SO long in her dressing-gown. As
it was, she had not yet made her appear
ance when Mr.. Blythe entered.
"There has been q terrible accident,
be said.
"Ac:ident-what accidentw asked
"The afternoon train from the city was
thrown from the. track, and most of the
passengers are either killed or wounded,
An extra train brought on those who es-
capped"
"Then God have mercy on me |" Shrek
ed Annette; "lor l am guilty OF Justin's
murderw
"Whaps. all this adoW cried Uncle
George, coming in at the moment.
"Ob, uncle! unciew she s0bbed, 'sfor.
give Me-that letterV
"What lettcrp