Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-02-21
RICK AND THE ROCK
A Bold Scheme That Won n Bachelor
n Beautiful Bride.

81 think you've jumped too quickly to
YOU conclusion, Helen. She doesn't care
pins point for me now, though time
once was when she did"
"And what made her throw you over?
Come, you can talk as candidly to me as
if were your mother
"IfI wasn't so sure of your friendship
for her / wouldn't dare to-" he replied
"for / know you are longing to bring us
together again-not merely for my peace
of mind, but for hers, too"
"Ah, egotist! How do you know she
loves you yet?"
81 L don't know it. | want to find
out, and you said you'd help meif came
down."
"But didn't tell you to proclaim that
fact TO the world.Nstupid-did L? And
yet you told it to the girl herself When
l tried to patch it by saying September
it's wonder you didn't produce my let.
ter as evidence that had written the 1st
of August. No wonder you always need
assistance in everything. You're too
too
"Imbecile," he suggested meekly.
"Yes, that's the word was after to
help yourself"
"And that's why depend so much on
you this week-for a week is all can
take. Get up some nice scheme that will
straighten matters between Us and Ill
give you my blessing"
"Pshaw more than that's needed
replied the pratical Helen.
"Well, that pearl locket at Tiffany's
you want so much-done. isn't il ?" and
he held out his hand.
."Yes," she sud mediiatively. "1'l,
think Of it. But as lid before, what
broke your engagement OFF,"
'She-she fell in love for the time be-
ing with ONE one else, and-and threw
me over for him." said Dick, in chok-
ing voice, as he arose on Mrs. Darcy's
suggesting it was near the dinner hour,
and obediently took up the camp-chair
and followed her the house.
"Both of them pretty well touched
that's good sign," she unused. 1'm not
the matchmaker my friends believe Ine
to be if don't bring my Rachael to her
senses"
At dinner Rick, by Mrs. Darcy's con-
trivance, was seated beside Dick, and
common politeness was compelled to
speak occasionally to him
1t was very pleasant meal, she could
not help confessing to herself But after
dinner they were separated. OF course,
Mrs. Darcy had not thought of a scheme
so soon, so Dick was obliged to curb his
impatience till the next day. But the
next day she kept her room with head
ache, so It was not till evening that he
got chance for few words in private.
"How about that scheme, Nell ?" he
asked anxiously.
"Oh, l don't know" very carelessly.
"You haven't thrown me over, have
you" he exclaimed in alarm.
Mrs. Darcy laughed.
"By no means. Only I've been think
ing I've sold the product of my brains for
too little pearl locket isn't anything
10 speak Of"
"Well make it pair of bracelets" he
replied, in desperation, "if you'll only
set your brains working on that pro-
duct"
$50 will-immediately," with a salts
fed air. "One can do much better with
bracelets in view."
ats my impression you intend to
cheat me, after ALL" he said, doubtfully
Tomorrow the bracelets will not be
enough, aud you'll want bigger bribe
But warn you, Helen, that l draw the
line at bracelets"
"That's all right" with smile at his
serious tone. They're exactly what
want, and they are to be delivered on
your wedding day. I'll trust Rick to
pick them ont She knows nv taste