Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-08-20
A YOUNG SCHEMER,

II YOUNI OOhEN1GH.
Eyes, I am sure that would be the best
plan" unused Jean Scott aloud, clasping
her hands around her knees, and look
ing up through the trees at a little patch
of clear sky shining down between the
leaves. MIR. Stuart is rich and hand
some;" here she sighed without any
known reason. "Phebe ought to mar
ry him-she must do it and let that
stupid JOHN Barnard go. I am sure
positively sure Victor Stuart would
suit her best, and I will make the
match"
It was Sunday afternoon, and Jean
sat out under big oak tree in the front
yard. A book lay on the grass beside
her, and little crippled chicken, res
cued from the horse lot, nestled in a
fold of her buff linen gown.
She was supple, slender girl, olive
skinned, gray.eyed and black-haired,
and just bordering on eighteen.
With the calm confidence of inexpe
rience and positive ignorance, she had
made up her mind to NEEDLE in very
delicate matter-namely, a love affair.
The SCOTS were country people,
owned good farm and lived comfort
ably, and John Barnard, neighboring
farmer, had long loved Phoebe, the eld
est daughter of the hou and very
pretty girl of twenty.
The matter had not disturbed Jean
until two things occurred. Her father
suffered from reverses of fortune, and
Victor came up from New Orleans.
She felt peculiarly hateful to him,
for he was not only young, handsome
and rich, but he had also saved her life
on a certain occasion, when she had
been more reckless than wise, in rum
ming horse race with her brother.
Her pony took it into his head to
run away, and Miss jeans white neck
might have been broken, had it not
been for the timely appearance of Mr..
Stuart. who threw himself in front of
the unruly horse and checked him.
That encounter led to a closer &C
quaintance with the family, and the
young man had called several times.
He rode up to the gate and dismount-
ed, while Jean sat in the grass and med
itated on her plan.
The color leaped to her cheeks at
sight of him, and thrill shot through
her heart. How happy any woman
might be to win his love-he looked so
brave and handsome.
Now, she had always been a little
shy before him; but to-day she rose
to meet him with smile, and slim
hand extended.
The gentleman replied warmly to
her friendly greeting.
"You take compassion on all af-
ficted creatures?" he remarked, glanc-
ing down at the little downy chick
which rested on the grass with its
broken leg bound up with a bit of
linen. tE+
Jean lifted it tenderly.
"Ah, yes. Poor little weakling! It's
life is but frail thing, but precious to
it no doubt. I love not pain or suffer-
ing. But pardon me, I will not keep
YOU standing out here"
at is very pleasant, L"
"But much pleasanter in the house,"
she said hastily, confused by the way
his eyes dwelt upon her. $50 in, MIR.
Stuart"
"Will you come also?"
"When I have cared for this wounded
chick-yes, sir, perhaps. Ptebe is in
the parlor."
And when he had reluctantly depart
ed, she sat down again and hid her face
in her hands, her heart beating quick
and loud.
"'Tis only his way-only his way, and
7 am foolish, weak minded creature to
allow his pleasant words and kindly
chances to affect me"
She had not long to sigh over her
folly or scold herself for it.
Another young man had arrived on
the scene, and she must prepare to meet
him.
He was an honest, good looking young
farmer, and from her childhood Jean
had known and liked him but to-day
she must crush any presumptious hopes
he might possibly entertain regarding
Phoebe. 5a.t EE
Good evening, Jean"
She had picked up her book again,
and was apparently much interested in
it, for all it was wrong end up.
Good evening, John" in a calmly
patronizing tone.
as Phoebe at home?"
"Yes; she is in the parlor, entertain
ing company.
His face fell.
Entertaining company"
''Yes-Mr. Stuart
.sHe here again?" said poor John
Barnard, faint spark of jealousy in his
heart gathering heat and strength.
eyes, certainly; but go in. Pa and
ma are in the sittingroom. The boys
are not at home, I am sorry to say"
"Oh, no; I'll just so on back home. I