The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-11-17


"Id like to see her when she discov-
ers the truth, and finds that she is per-
forming the leading role in drama of
our invention. Glorious idea of mine /!
ought to be recompensed for invent
ing it,"
AZ shall certainly reward you in some
way, Tom. Pm glad 1 followed your
advice, since I can scarcely doubt that
any one could restrain himself from
making love to her."
Alice had recovered her letter by this
time, and likewise heard the whole of
the conversation, and she sought her
room and there bust into tears of veXa-
tion for being thus duped.
"But | will teach him a lesson" she
said, land he shall repent of this
scheme. I'll teach him to practice de-
sception upon woman! Now for this
letter of falsehood."
She tors open The letter aud read
"My Dear, Dear AIice:-This letter
will be given you by my most intimate
| friend, Captain Stellis. / hope that you
will-fOr my sake-treat him with cor
dial politeness, and show him what a
perfect lady you are. You are probably
disappointed, dear Alice, on seeing him
in my stead, but 1 will explain how it
came about that l am not with you at
! the appointed time. You know | have
an aunt in Virginia. Yesterday re-
ceived a dispatch, just after mailing
your letter, which bade me come 20 her
! Instantly, as she was not expected to
live over night. / know that you will
Justify me in the step have taken, and
Iif everything turns out right l shall be
with you in a few weeks, when l will
will make you, what you long ago
promised to be, the wife of your loving
and devoted "GERALD HOLMES"
"There," imperatively exclaimed
Alice, "whO ever heard of such deception
in man2 Upon my honor, / feel in
clined TO denonnce him just now. But
mo- will have some fun out of this ar
rangement of his as well as he, and if
in the end l feel inclined to take back
my word, why I'll do so. So, Mr.. Holmes,
you thought me false to my vows" "
she continued, "and in consequence
thereof have assumed this disguise to
discover my perfidy. All, my fine fel-
low, / will show you wOman's courage.
You little dream, as you sit and plot
with your companion, that she for
whom you scheme is at this moment in
possession of all your plans. Ha! ha!'
The supper bell rang, and she de-
scended to the dinning-room, where the
family had already assembled, among
them the two plOtters. She chatted on
gayly as ever, bOwing and smiling tC
Captain Stellis opposite, not once be-
traying that she knew his secret.
Supper over, the party entered the
drawing room, Alice all the while max.
ing herselfagreeable to the captain. He
led her to the piano, and as her small
white hands passed over the keys
calling forth the sweet, melOdiou.
strains, the captain was enraptured.
!
One day Alice was walking in th,
} conservatory, among the rare plant:
and shrubs. She observed Captain Stel
lis at the further end watching the tiny
5 fishes in the marble fountain. She wa
quite sure he had not seen her, and, a
her cousin Tom entered, she resolved tC
} play part of her pre-arranged plan
: Tom himself opened the gates for thi:
resolve.
"Alice," he said, twill you allow m,
to give you some advice ?''
'FCertainly, if you deem it necessary
e and if it is for my benefit" she replied
archly.
D "I do not like to see you fiirt with thi
] captain"
j land why not j.? Why should yol
see fit to lecture me on this point?
i, am sure he is very prepOssessing man
D handsome, agreeable and intelligent
e az have no doubt that he is, but il doe
q not look well for a lady who wears al
| engagement ring to fiirU with a strange
! with whom she has been acquainted bu
C a week"
: "Oh, pshaw Tom, you must not al
ways look upon the dark side of things
= 1t will not hurt the engagement, and
t might as well enjoy myself, since h
3, has been recommended TO me by Gel
aid"
= "But what would Gerald say if h
\ knew you fiirted thus?"
r al mean never to let him knOw,n an
swered Alice, saucily.
!, "He may find out, for all of thai
o What would he think of you if he kue,
r the true state of affairs? ? l warn you t
be prudent in the future, and To trea
e the caption with mere civility, and no
d so affectiOnately."
/ 81 intend to do just as please, and
: Gerald chooses to be Jealous, let him b
sO," and she turned and left the apar
u ment, knowing to certainty that th
Is whole conversation had been heard b
e the captain.
r. The next day telegram arrived fC
e Alice which told her that Gerald was o
IS his way thither.
If $50 he has made up his mind to com
t. home. Well, I've given him good lie!
son, and he will not forget it in
d hurry"
= In the evening the captain took
3. sudden departure, stating that he Wa
e unexpectedly called away. But AliC
e knew that the next evening would flu
/. the same man in her presence, mint
e the black hair and beard, under th
name of Gerald Holmes.
1t She calmly awaited events. .Th
(, evening came, aud with it her love
d Gerald. When the greetings were owe
Gerald asked Alice where his friend, th
Is captain, was.
5. There were several ladies in the room
e and Alice determined upon some fun
J. He disappeared last night" she salt
r, ''and, since you have asked a question
d allow me to do the same: did you eve
have friend by the name of Capital
ID Stellis? Does such a man exist ?"
, Gerald colored, but replied:
d. "What question What do yo
+ mean? You are certainly dreaming
a speak in that STYLE"
,e mo, I am not dreaming, but wiC
l. awake. 1 mean this: the man of thu
J. name never existed; 4 wig and faI.