Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-08-14
Mechannstown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday, Aug A. 1884,
JACKS DIPLOMACY.
(Belgravia.l

When Jack HarwOOd heard the story whicn
bis cousin, pretty Mrs. Ainslie, unfolded to
him it seemed almost incredible, though he
knew what foolish impetuous girl she wa*
But her evident distress convinced him thae
she was in earnest
ado you really mean to say that Carruthers
Is bad enough to refuse to return the letter."
he exclaimed in amazement.
II assure you almost went on my knees to
him the other night at the Beresfords' ball,
returned Mrs. Afnslie, excitedly. "But he
only laughed in his sneering way, and said
he should keep it as curiosity"
"Was that after you explained the circum-
stances!" asked Jack.
"Oh, yes! made clean breast OF my
foolishness. 1t was humiliating, but 1t was
the only thing to do"
"What did you say 10 himT
II was perfectly outspoken. said that
had had quarrel with my husband, who had
insisted on my writing to request him to dis
continue his attentions. fully intended 10
do so, but when sat down with my pen In
my hand for the purpose was seized with
foolish impulse TOTO vent my illhumor bya
dangerous practical joke. meant no harm,
and nothing was farther from my mind than
to send off the letter wrote"
~ wonder that you thought your husband
capable of reading letter addressed to
third person." said Jack, rather sharply
II am perfectly sure that if had been in
his Jealous mood and had seen All unsealed
letter addressed by my wife to an admirer
lying about should have read it," said Mrs.
Ainslie. with conviction.
"Anyhow, your husband did nothing of the
kind" remarked Jack, with shrug
"No, discovered afterward, to my horror,
that he simply sealed up the letter and posted
it, thinking it was the letter had promised
to write," said Mrs. Ainslie.
"Then, why on earth didn't you undeceive
him when you found out what he had doneF
inquired Jack, little contemptuously
"Because-because- the truth Is, |
felt ashamed of myself. He had trusted mo,
and couldn't bring myself to confess my
lttleness," said Mrs. Ainslie, with embarrass'
ment Besides thought should have no
difficulty in getting the letter back from MIR.
Carruthers l knew | should meet him the
next evening at the Beresfords."
Al suppose he was disagrseably surprised
at your explanation" said jack with laugh
We'll, found myself in very difficult
position" answered the little Mrs Ainslee.
HE declined to believe me and-and pre-
tended to think really felt towards him all
had said in the letter l had to speak very
plainly--in fact we quarreled-and no
almost threatened to make use Of the letter"
THE little cad.' exclaimed Jack vigor-
ousy. "Do you rccolle"t what you wrote
was it very compromising"
"I am afraid So" said Mrs. Ainslie, rising
in great agitation and unlocking her writing
desk. 81 have endeavored to recall word for
word what said think this is correct"
Jack Harwood took the letter which his
cousin handed him and read as follows:
My Dearest Marmaduke-My husband has
ordered me to write and forbid you to the
house Since he refused to trust ne will
no longer cndeavor to stiae my feelings, but
will avow myself now and ever-iour own
AMY.
Jack had no occasion to express his dismay
and disgust at this wantonly foolish lubrica-
tion for this expression caused his cousin to
break into torrent Of excuses and lamenta-
tons, which eliminated in a flood Of tears.
There, there it's no Use crying" he said,
good -naturedlv What is that other paper
yeu have in your hand"
at is the letter | really intended to send,
but Of course it was no use sending it after the
other had gone" returned Mrs. Ainslie.
MAY l ste it, Yes. That letter Is
straight enough" said Jack, after glancing
through it.
II really intended to carry out Johns
wishes" added littlo Mrs Ainsie, again hav-
ing recourse to her pocket handkerchief.
well, now, why did you send for moi" in
quircd Jack, in matter-of-fact tone.
u want your advice and assistance, Jack
returned his cousin, Frightening up. ~ did
not know who else to go to, and have al
ways regarded you as brother AM dread
fully afraid Mr.. Carruthers has been brag
ging about the letter"
"Surcly not No man calling himself
gentleman could behave 30 snobbishly.
What makes you think sof' inquired Jack,
starnly.
81 hope it is not the case, but Mrs Richard
son hin'cd to me last night that her husband
had heard something unpleasant about me
and Mr.. Curruthers at his club" said Mrs.
Ainslie, plucking nervously at her dress.
What at the Blenheim!" said Jack,
frswning.
Yes Mr.. Carruthers is a member, you
know. But, at all events, 1t is desirable to
get the letter back, and you know what my
husband is, Jack. really dare not tell him
anything about the letter, or he would fly at
Mr.. Carr,thers' throat and create a scan
dal," said Mrs. Ainslie. Besides, of course,
w.uld prefer to keep the matter a secret
from him."
II will try what can.do. Amy, and need
not say will be careful to avoid u scandal"
said Jack Harwood, rising to his feet. You
had better burn the draft of that unhappy
letter 1t has done enough mischief already.
| will keep the other one" he added, putting
1t in his pocket.
"Oh, Jack, how can l thank your ex-
claimed his cousin, Scizing both his hands in
her inlpulsivc fashion.
an the tilet place, have done nothing at
present, and in the next, | am going to give
you parting piece Of advice which will
,bal,ly diminish the warmth Of your feel
ings towards me-" said Jack grimly. u hope
this scrapc you have got into, Amy. will bea
Lesson to yon, and will make you discreet in
Your conduct. People have talked about you
and Carruthers in n manner which was deuced
unpleasant for me 20 listen to can tell you"
With regard to the task he had undertaken,
tho Young man felt considerable doubt how
to act for the best. For subalteln in the
guards, Jack Harwood was moro than gifted
with shrewd common sense and businesS-llke
capacity His impulse was to call upon Mr..
Marmaduke Carr1,thcrs and insist upon his
giving up the letter. But Marmaduko Car
ruthcrs was one of those men who inspire
more candid natures with wholesome dstrust
and somewhat exaggerated notion of their
cleverncss. lie Ind a very doubtful reputa-
ton, and although entitled to the courtesy
title Of honorable by virtue Of his father
Icing peer, he had the smallest pretensions
to that desirable epithet Jack Harwood
imagined that Mnrmaduke Carruthers was
not tie least likely to part with his cousins
letter simply for the asking. 1t would have
suited Jacks humor to back up his demand
by physical force, but by this means he