The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-12-25
But your influence, mamma?"


"Please excuse me; am thinking of
my own affairs just now, mamma. They
may be of no consequence to you, but
my letter is matter Of some Importance
to me-"
did not mean to be saucy, only pet
tish; but mamma, having had long e1-
perience with her four headstrong girls,
bore with me patiently.
"Well, finish your letter, Gertrude,
and then advise me-"
But my train of thought was broken,
and after few moments put my sheet
in the writing desk.
"What can't be accomplished openly
must be done by stratagem, mamma 1t
is probable that this Gage Redmond is
after Patricia's money. She is great
prize matrimonially. Well, you say 1
am prettier than Patty. Suppose play
decoy"
"Whatw cried mamma.
""Mr. Redmond is dark and reserved.
am fair and volatile. Don't you think
he will appreciate my style and beauty
if I take little pains to make him do
so?'
"But, Mr.. Sherringtonr'
"I will tell him. lie will not object"
"I think he will"
90, no; he will be interested in the
good of the family. He comes next
week. Fortunately Patty is sick with .
cold. and Redmond can see but little OF
her till then"
Quite pleased with my scheme, 1 ran
upstairs to give Patricia her cough
drops, sitting down at the window of her
room, and bowing cordially to Mr.. Red
mond, whom I 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 l reflected that
Patty's blue silk curtains were more be-
coming to my style of beauty than hers.
"rll bring my embro. derry up and sit
with you, Patty" 1 said.
"Do," she said; ri am tired of watch
ing the evergreens swaying about the
gay spring sky"
So I filed my lap with rose-colored
worsted and framed myself in the blue
window drapery for Mr.. Redmond bene-
fit. Just the colors to set off the pink
and snow of my complexion. l had the
satisfaction of meeting his eyes more
than once when I glanced over the way,
Seems to me you've wonderfully
good spirits, Cert" remarked Patricia,
languidly.
The DeLacy dinner bell rang, and Mr..
Redmond disappeared.
"Well, must take them in another
direction now," I said, rising. 81 can't
give any more time to you, sis, for l
want so finish my blue silk suit before
Mr.. Sherrington comes. You'd better
take nap"
Patricia settled herself obedicntly
among her cushions. Suddenly she
lifted her beautiful head.
"Has NIET. Redmond called to inquire
for me to-day, Gertie?"
"No, 1 believe not" I replied indider'
emily.
She showed moments surprise, then
settled herself on her couch again, and
in five minutes was sleeping sweetly.
The blue silk was finished, and having
laid aside my half f-mourning for Aunt
Betty and donned it, the family pro-
ncunced the effect charming.
"Is Mr.. Sherrington coming tonight,
Gertrude" asked mamma
EYES"
II want to say to you, my dear, that
on Mr.. Sherrington's account I don't
think you had better" she whispered,
but I interrupted her by my exit from
the apartment.
The next day brought Mr.. Clyde sher-
rington.
elbow delightful that the spring is at
hand" said he, "the sunshine growing
warm, and the grass springing! passed
bit of wood coming up from the station
that is full of arbutus. We will have
some delightful walks. Gerty. I am very
tired of city life"
"Yes, Clyde, dear; but you see have
been obliged to make little plan which
will interfere somewhat with that ar
rangement," I replied quickly. 81 want
to lend you to Patricia"
"Lend me to Patriciam
eyes, while 1 lure away a most incligi.
Bile suitor she has. Mamma and l con-
clude that it is the only way" l added.
"Patricia has a fortune of about $780,
900, you know"
eyes"
"Well, we think that Mr.. Gage Red
mond is after her money. We can't af-
ford to let Patty make such q match ss
that, and so, 1 don't think Pm totally an
uninteresting person-do YOU, Clyde?.l
am going to try and flirt q little with Mr..
Redmond. Now you won't be bear,
and say no, will you, dear? And you'll
try and help us by devoting yourself to
Patricia, won't YOU"
At first my companion did not believe
was in earnest, but when convinced OF
my sincerity, his astonishment was mex.
pressible. | remember he stammered
out some faint objection, but would
not listen, and before retiring that night
whispered to mamma that / had made
it all right with Mr. Shcrrington, and
she had only to observe how nicely I
would manage the whole affair.
sent Patricia off in the morning to
find arbutus with Mr.. Sherrington while
I waited to receive Mr.. Redmond.
When he came I was in the garden,
and had ordered lunch an hour earlier