The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-02-02
IN DANGER,
An INTERESTING EXPERIMENT.

n pEctty XIII, bcdrce numbering TWEEN.
ty summers, In dainty room. sur
rounded by all her own dainty belong
ings, u the scene on which our curtain
rises.
The small. jewelled fingers hold .
card on which are pencilled these words.
Introducing my friend. Jack Des-
mond" Below is the writer's own
name-Frank Minton-this in the en-
grayer's best form; but the latter name
Is written elsewhere as well. on no less
. spot than Sydney Coles heart, for she
is Frank Minton's betrothed wife.
How often she had heard him speak
Of his friend who now awaited her COM
ing in her fathers drawfng-room.
"A royal fellow among men, but ut
terly imgregnable among women-court-
ing danger always; always escaping
himself"
This so often had been the burden Of
her lovers strain, and now she was
ready to SEQ and Judge for herself.
What wonder that her heart beat Q
little faster. or that, snatching up .
fragrant bunch Of red roses from her
toilet, she fastened them at her waist,
making the only spot Of color on the
white cashmere gown. and giving the
one finishing touch needed to make her
lock as though abe had stepped out Of
q picture framep
Evidently some such thought as this
crossed the mans mind, who started to
his feet as the radiant vision met his
Wow.
"Yes. he Is dangerous" was Sydney's
inward comment, as she glanced up in.
to the handsome, bearded face. and rec
ognized the power which might lie In
those laughing brown eyes. should
their laughter turn to earnest tender
ness.
Danger? Yes; bait not to her. Wrap
ped in Franks love. surely she was in
vincible. Suppose she tried
the experiment Vi making him feels
Had the thought really given itself
definite shape? She hardly recognized
It; yet with her hand clasped one mo-
ment ia strong. warm grasp. her ear
catching few murmurod words Of
courteous pleasure ut the meeting. she
felt as does the war-horsc shifting the
scent Of battle from afar and eager for
the fray.
'Do you know" her visitor said as
he rose to take his leave. nj the end Of
al hour. as marked by the clock
scarce half that time Sydney would have
said had she been asksd--..io you know
I no longer wonder at Minton's anxiety
70 turn Benedict? viii you pardon me
when add that a little curiosity
prompted my desire to see you to-day.
aud to learn how strong must be the
temptation 10 forego bachelorhoodg"
I'VE must tempt you 70 followF Franks
example," she answered with blush.
Had he not set II, should have
been more tempted" was the reply.
Five minutes later she WAS alone
Mr.. Desmond was to DO guest In the
city fortnight; during that time she
should see him often. Already she an
ticipated It with pleasure. That night
she wrote her betrothed:
card to-day. Iwonder did you paint me 70
him In the glowing colors you have so often
painted bis portrait 20 me. and u be, as ].
brishies than the pictureY I fear not fear
IN NE he must have been disappointed; butfn
him am NOT only not so, but no longer won.
thing & wanting; his heart is sleeping. All
women are 20 him alike. DO you know feel
l tempted 20 make him single me outI i feel
lair. Shall ny, Frankt 1t would be an inter
esting experiment"
| Three days later she wrote again:
| "You were quite right, dear. In your delinea.
| ton OF your friends character. Do you know
] fsncied that had made upon bin slightly
turn and have II deepeued- at least sufiicien,
for me TO have the opportunity TO test the inter,
esting experiment Of which last wrote youl
noa .eea s@ snos
call, which could not, am sure, have exceed
4 cd twenty minutes in length. AL my hopes
Sreen.eysd monster have sed. He refused ts
Be- charmed-oharm never sowisely."
They were light words. lightly writ.
ten, but none the less, Sydney felt q
deep disappointment that she would moi
acknowledge TO herself even rs she
wrote them. II left no outward trace,
however. as few minutes later she
stood before her mirror dressed for Mrs
Crosby's german. which she was en-
gagged to lead with Guy Ratings. the
best dancer in all her set.
She need not fear tonight that she
would not hear sweet nothings whisper
ed In her ear. Guy Ratings had beer
one Of her adorers since he had doffec
his roundabouts, and never showed him
self openly disconsOlate that herr
from another city should have borne of
the coveted prize. But even this balm
to her wounded vanity was not to b'
forthcoming tonight.
Before leaving the house note wa
brought her. In which Mr.. Railing
greatest regrets. for sudden sprain 4
bis ankle, arose from the fact that b
must be deprived ola pleasure whicl
be had SO long been eagerly anticipst
Ing in feeling himself. for one night q
least, the envy of all the men in tn
room, ETC.. to the end OF the chapter.
But, entering Mrs, Crosby's dressing
room her vexation vanished as her host
ess, rapturously greeting her, having
followed her hurriedly mp the stairs
. met her with the announcement that
having heard Of MIR. Railings's acciden
she had supplied substitnte--one SD
Twas quite sure would do equally well
: and would possess the charm Of novelty
"a friend Of her husband, Mr.. Jacl
Desmond.
Then she retreated to her guests, leav
, ing Sydney to follow, not noticing tn
quick, crimson stain on the lovely chez
which had Haunted itself at her words
II might have spared him." though
S the girl ..Now, to do SO. only on
:, thing viii be wanting, and that is m
- power"
An1 <at;n1 a lsst 0lanca In the mil