The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-01-13
$50, of course, he was after Patricia's

iOrluu0. we dI6 u6C6 Ouly Uy CopItcSy.
The Hermitage is her home. I have no
right to control her whatever"
"But your influence, mammal"
"Will have very little effect If she sets
her heart on this Gage Redmond. Pray
stop staring vacantly out of that win
dow, Gertrude, and attend to what I say.
l want assistance in this matter"
"Please excuse me; ! am thinking Of
tmy own affairs just now, mamma. They
may be Of no consequence to you, but
my letter is matter of some importance
to me-"
I did not mean OF be saucy, only pet
ttsh; but mamma, having had long expe-
rience with her four headstrong girls,
bora with me patiently.
SWELL finish your letter, Gertrude,and
then advise me-"
But my train Of thought was broken,
and after few moments I put my sheet
In the writing-desk.
"What can't be accomplished openly
must be done by stratagem, mamma. II
| is probable that this Gage Redmond Is
after Patricia's money; she is great
tprize, matrimonially. Well, you say that
| am prettier than Patty; suppose / play
decoy2'
"Whatp cried mamma.
"Mr. Redmond is dark and reserved
am fair and volatile. Don't you :hink
he will appreciate my style and besuty
II take little pains to make him do
sop
"But Mr.. Sherrington2" ?"
81 will tell him. He will not object"
81 think he will"
"Oh, no: he will be interested in the
good of the family. He comes next
week. Fortunately Patty is sick with 9
cold, and Redmond can see but little OF
her till them"
Quite pleased with ny scheme. ran
up stairs to give Patricia her cough
drops, sitting down at the window OF
her room and bowing cordially to Mr..
Redmond, whom could sea 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
good deal, and / reflected that Patty's
blue silk curtains were more becoming
to my style of beauty than hers.
"Tll bring my embroidery up and eli
with you, Patty" / said.
"Do," she said II am tired of watch
ing the evergreens swaying about the gay
spring sky"
So filled my lap with rose-colored
worsted and framed myself in the blue
window drapery for Mr. Raymond's g ben
tefit. Just the c0lors TO set off tue PINK
and snow of my complexion. / had the
satisfaction Of meeting his eyes more
than once when 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 di-
rection now," / said rising. II can't give
any more time to you, sis, for I want to
finish my blue silk suit before Mr.. Sher.
ripgton comes. You'd better take a
nap"
Patricia settled herself obediently
among the cushions; suddenly she lifted
her beautiful head.
"Has Mr.. Redmond called 10 inquire
for me to-day, Gertie ?"
"No, I believe pot" replied indiffer.
emily.
She showed a 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.mourning for Aunt
Betty and donned 1t, the family pro.
nounced the effect charming.
SIS Mr.. Sherrington coming tonight,
Gertrude ?" asked mamma.
"Yes."
~ want to say to you, my dear, that
on Mr.. Sherrington's account / don't
think you had better" she whispered,
but I interrupted her BY nv exit from the
apartment.
The next day brought Mr.. Clyde Sher-
rington.
"How delightful that the spring is at
hand" said he, ''the sunshine growing
warm and the grass springing! / pass.
ed 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," said quickly 81 want to
lend you 10 Patricis."
"Lend me to Patricia r.
"While / lure away > most ineligible
suitor she has Mamma and I conclude
that It 10 the only way" | added. "Pa-
tricia has q fortune Of about 8l00, COO
you know"
"ies."
swell, we think Mr.. Gage Redmond
is after her money. We can't afford to
let Patty make such match as that, and
20, / don't think ! am totally an unin-
teresting person-do you, Clyde 2-I am
going to try and firt little with Mr..
Redmond. Now you won't be bear
and say no, will yon, dear2 And you'll
try and help rs by devoting yourself to
Patricia, won't youw
At first mycompanion did not believe
I was in earnest, but when convinced OF
my sincerity his astonisbment was inex-
pressible. remember he stammered
out some faint objection, but / would
not listen, and before retiring that night
l whispered to mamma that had made
it all right with Mr.. Sherringtop, ,and she
had only to observe how nicely ! would
manage the whole affair.
sent Patricia of in the morning to
find arbutus with Mr.. Sherrington while
waited to receive Mr.. Redmond.
When he came l was in the garden,
and had ordered lunch an hour earlier
than usual. My pale blue silk looked
beautiful in the lawn grass.
"Pray come and see my tulips Mr..
Redmond" / called out as he walked up
the avenue.
He came, pleased enough, and as be
was especially tond Of flowers had NO
difY3cultv in dotainino him mcro than