The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1878-10-17
HsbOrOugh Highland County, Ohio Thursday ~

They may be of no consequence oyou,
but my letter is a matter of some i'm
portance to me.
I did not mean to be saucy, only pet
tish; and mamma, having had long ex-
perience with four headstrOng girls,
bore it with me quite patiently.
"Well, finish your letter, Gertrude,
and then advise with me-"
But my train Of thought was broken,
and after a few moments 1 put the
sheet in my writing-desk.
"What can't be accomplished openly
must be done by strategem, mamma.
4 1t is probable this Gage Redmond is
after Patricia's money. She is great
prize matrimoniaIly. Well, you say
am prettier than Patty. Suppose play
decoy?"
''WhatP" cried mamma.
''AIr. Redmond is dark and reserved,
I am airand volatile. Dontyou think
he would appreciate my style Of beauty
if took little pains to make him do
soP"
'But Mr.. SheTrington?"
81 will tell him. lie will not object. !"
81 think be will"
"Oh, mol HeWill be interested in the
good Of the family. He comes next
week. Fortunately, Patty is sick with
a cold, and Mr. Redmond can see but
little of her until then"
Quite pleased with my scheme, I ran
up stairs to give Patricia her cough
drops, sitting down at the window Of
her room, and boWing cordially to Mr..
Redmond, whom 1 could see writing in
his uncle's study, in the great mansion
across the way. The larches hid all the
house but that one window. He was
there a good deal, and I reflected that
Patty's blue silk curtains were more
becoming to my style Of beauty than
hers.
"I'Il bring my embroidery up and sit
with you, Patty" I said.
DO" she said. 81 am tired Of
watching the evergreens swaying about
against that gray spring sky."
Sol filled my lap with rOse-colOred
WOrstsd, and framed myself in the blue
window drapery for Redmond's bene-
fit. Just the colOrs to set of the snow
and pink Of my complexion. I had the
satisfaction of meeting his eyes more
than once when 1 glanced over the
way.
Seems to me you've wonderfully
good spirits, Cert, /" remarked Patricia,
laughingly.
The De Lacy dinner-ben rang, and
Mr.. Redmond disappeared.
"Well, must take them in another
direction now, 1 said, rising. IT can't
give any more time to you, sis, for I
want to finish my blue silk suit before
Mr.. Sherrington comes. You'd better
take a nap"
Patricia settled herself obediently
among her cushions. Suddenly she
lifted her beautiful head.
"Has Mr.. Redmond called to inquire
for me to-day, Gerty P'
mo, I believe not, I replied, indif-
ferently.
She showed moments surprise then
settled herself on her couch again, and
in five minutes was sleeping sweetly.
The blue silk suit was finished, and,
having laid aside my half-mOurning for
Aunt Betty, and donned it, the family
pronounced the effect Charming"
SIS Mr.. SherringtOn coming to-day,
.Gertrude?" asked mamma.
Eyes"
:" I want to say to you, my dear, that
on Mr.. SherringtOn's account, I don't
think you had better" she whispered,
but 1 interrupted her by my exit from
the apartment.
The next train brought Mr.. Clyde
Sherrington.
"HOw delightful that the spring is at
hand" said he; "the sunshine growing
warm, and the grass springingI
passed a bit of wood coming up frOn
the station that is full Of arbutus. We
will have some delightful walks, Gerty.
am very tired Of city life"
"Yes, Clyde, dear; but you see l |
have been obliged to make a little plan
which will interfere somewhat with !
that arrangement" Ireplied, quick |
ly. ''In fact, for the family good, you
know, I want to lend you to Patricia?" |
"Lend me to Patricia2"
eyes; while 1 lure away a most ineli- |
gibIe suitor she has. Mamma and I |
conclude that it is the only way" 1 |
added. Patricia has a fortune of one
hundred thousand dollars, you know" |
eyes"
"WeH, we think this Mr.. Gage Red |
mOnd is after her money. lie is only a |
bTiefess lawyer. We can't AFFORD to let
Patty make such a match as that, and |
so, as I don't think Pm a totally unin-
teresting person-dO you, Clyde?-I am
going to try and flirt little with Mr..
Redmond. Now, you won't be bear,
and say no, will you, dear9 And you'll |
try to help us by deYOting yourself a
bit to Patricia, won't you?"
At first my companion did not be-
lieve that I was in earnest, but when
convinced of my sincerity, his astOnish-
ment was inexpressible. 1 remember
that he stammered out some faint OBJ
Jections, but would not listen, and,
before retiring that night, I whispered
to mamma that had made it all right /
with Mr.. Sherrington, and she had
only to observe how nicely I would
manage the whole matter.
I sent Patricia off in the morning to
find arbutus with Mr.. SherringtOn,
while 1 waited to receive Mr.. Red
nOnd.
When he came I was in the garden,
and ordered lunch an hour earlier than
usual. Ny ypaie blue silk looked beau
tiful on the lawn grass.
"Pray come and see my tulips, Mr..
Redmond" ," I called, as he walked up
the avenue.
He came, pleased enough, and as he
was especially fond Of flowers had no
difficulty in OBTAINING him for more
than half an hour.
Then, seeing him looking at his
watch, observed: