The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1881-11-03
AN INTERESTING EXPERI-
MENT.

AL ner own dainty belongings, is the see
, on which our curtain rises.
The small, jeweled fingers hold ca
on which are penciled these words ST
Producing my friend, Jack Desmond
Below is the writer's own name-ElI
Minton-this in the engrayer's best form
but the latter,s name is written elseWhel
as well, on no less spot than Sydney Co
Inns heart-for she is Ellis NTinton's b,
| trothed wife.
How often has she heard OF this frien
who now awaits hercoming in her father
drawing room.
"A royal fellow among men, but utterl
| mpregnable to Women-curlying DANCE
always; always escaping HIMSELF
This so often had been the burden of he
levers strain, and was she ever to see an
judge for herself?
What wonder that her heart beat q littl
quicker, or that, snatching up fragran
bunch Of red roses from her toilet, she fas
tened them at the slender waist, MAXIM
the only spot Of color ON the white cash
mere gown, and giving the finishing toucl
needed TO make her look as though she hat
stepped out from some picture frame?
Evidently some such thought as thi
crossed the mans mind, who started to hi
feet as the radiant vision met his view.
Eyes, he is dangerous" was Sydney,
inward comment, as she glanced up into
the handsome, bearded face, and recog
nized the power which might lie III those
laughing brown eyes, should their laugh.
ter turn TO earnest tenderness.
Danger! Yes; but not to her. Wrapped
in Ellis love, surely she was invincible
suppose-suppose she tried the expert.
ment Of making him feel2 Had the thought
really given itself definite shape?
She hardly recognized it; yet, with hel
hand one moment clasped in strong,
warm clasp, her ear catching few muir
INJURED words OF. courteous pleasure at the
meeting, she felt as does the war horse
shifting the scent of battle from afar, and
eager for the fray.
Do You know" her visitor said, when
he rose to take his leave, at the end of an
hour, as marked by the clock-as scarce
half that time Sydney would have said had
she been asked-Nza zaoyou knoW=T no longer
wonder at Minton's anxiety to turn Bene-
diet? VIII you pardon me when I add
that little curiosity prompted my desire
to see you to-day, and to learn how strong
must be the temptation to forego bachelor
hoodp'
ssWe must tempt you in turn TO follow
Ellis example, = she answered, with a
blush.
'sHad he not set it, should have been
more tempted, was the grave reply.
Five minutes later she was alone. Mr..
Desmond was to be a guest in the city a
fortnight During that time she should
see him often. Already she anticipated it
with pleasure.
That night she wrote her betrothed:
II have seen your friend; he presented
7our card to-day. I wonder did you paint
ne to him in the glowing colors you so
,ften have painted his portrait to me, and
t he, as /, laughed at your enthusiasm,
ound the reality brighter than the picture /?
fear not. [ fear in me he must have been
but in him | am not only not
Q, but no longer wonder at your strange
owe for him. But one thing is wanting;
lis heart is sleeping. All women are to
i'm alike. Doyo know | feel tempted to
aake him single me out? Do you know [
eel tempted to rouse the sleeping lion from
is lair? Shall | try, Ellis? It would be
n interesting experiment.
Three days later she wrote again:
ssYou were quite right, dear, in your
elineation Of your friends character. Do
on know, [ fancied had made upon him
slightly favorable impression, sufficient
N him to return and have it deepened-;4t
east, sufficient for me to have the opportu-
ity to test the interesting experiment Of
lhich last wrote you-but evidently the
atent distrust of the sex has awakened.
have not seen him since his first call,
5hich could not, I am sure have exceeded
Henty minutes in length. All my hopes
{ causing you to suffer from the pangs Of
le green-eyed monster have fled. He re-
lsed to be charmed, charm T never so
,isely.''
They were light words, lightly written,
ut none the less Sydney felt an unayoWed
isappointment she would nj acknowledge
herself even as she. .penned them. Itleft
9 outward trace. however, as, a few hours
ter, she stood before her mirror dressed
y Mrs. Urossby's german, which she was
lgaged to lead with Guy Rallings, the
est dancer in her set.
She need not fear tonight that she should
ot hear sweet nothings whispered III her.
II. Guy Ralltngs had been one Of her
lorers since he had doffed roundabouts,
I'd never failed to show himself openly
sconsolate that a hero from another city
ID borne of the coveted prize. But=even.
lis balm to her wounded vanity to-night
as not to be. forthcoming.
Before leaving the house, q note was
ought her, in which Mr.. Rallings' re-
cts, at asudden sprain to his ankle, arose
ON the fact that he must be deprived Of
pleasure which he had SO long been
tgerly anticipating, IN feeling himself for
le night, at least, the envy Of al the men