Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-21
JACKS DIPLOMACY.

When Jack Harwood heard the story which
his cousin, pretty Mrs. Ainslie, unfolded to him
ii seemed almost incredible, though he knew
what foolish, impetuous girl she was. But
her evident distress convinced him that she
was in earnest
do you really mean to say that Carruthers
is cad enough to refuse to return the letter." ne
exclaimed in amazement.
II assure you / almost went On my knees to
him the other night at the Beresford's ball"
returned Mrs. Ainslie, excitedly. "But he only
laughed in his sneering way and said he should
keep 1t as curiosity
"Was that after you explained the circum-
stances?" asked Jack.
.'Oh, vest made a clean breast of my fool
ishness: 1t was humiliating, but 1t was the
only thing to do"
what did you say to him?"
II was perfectly outspoken. ! said had had
a quarrel with my husband, who had insisted
on ON my writing to request him to discontinue e
the purpose was seized with foolish impulse
toto vent my ill-humor by q dangerous prac-
teal joke. L meant no harm and nothing was
further from my mind than to send off the let
ter wrote.
II wonder you thought your husband capable
Oh reading letter addressed to q third person,
said Jack, rather sharply.
I'm perfectly sure that if had been in his
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 a shrug.
No; discovered afterwards, to my horror.
that he simply sealed up the letter and posted
write, said Mrs Ainslie.
Then why on earth didn't you undeceive
him when you found out what he had dOne?"
inquired Jack, little contemptuousiy.
,"Because-because-we the truth is, felt
ashamed of myself. He had trusted me, and
couldn't bring myself to confess my Httleness,'
SAID Mrs. Ainsie, with embarrassment. "Be-
sides, thought should have no difficulty in
getting the letter back from Mr. Carruthers.
knew should meet him the next evening at
the BereSfords.'
II suppose he was disagreeably surprised at
well, found myself in a very difficuit posi-
tion, answered little Mrs. Ainslie. "He de-
c!ined to believe me and-and pretended to
think l really felt towards him all had said
In the letter. had to speak very plainly-in
fact we quarreled-and he almost threatened to
make use of the letter.
1.-THE little cad!' exclaimed Jack, vigorously.
DO you reeollect what you wrote-was it very
II am afraid So" said Mrs. Ainslie. rising in
great agitation and unlocking her writing-desk.
Il have endeavored to recall, word for word,
what said think this is correct
Jack HARDWOOD took the letter which his cousin
handed him and read as follows:
MY DEAREST MARaApuKE-My husband has or
refuses trust win no longer endeavor to stie
my feelings, but will avow myself now and ever
Jack had no occasion to express his dismay
and disgust at this wantonly foolish lucubra-
ton, for his expression caused his cousin to
tions, which eliminated in a flood of tears.
There, there-t It's, no use crying" ne said.
have in your hand 2"
1t is the letter really intended to send; but,
Of course it was no sending it after the other
had gone" returned Mrs. Ainslie;
enough. said Jack, after giancing through it.
II really intended to carry out Johns
Wishes" added little Mrs. Afnsle, again having
recourse to her pocket-handkerchief.
well, now, why did you send for n1e?" in
quired Jack, in a matter-of-fact tone.
" want your advice and assistance, Jack"
returned his cousin Frightening up. "1did not
know who else to apply to, and have always
regarded you as a brother. am dreadful afraid
letter"
'Surely not. No man calling himself a gen.
tleman could behave SO sno6bishly: What
makes you think sop inquired Jack, sternly.
81 hope it is not the case. but Mrs. Richard.
son limited to me last night that her husband
had heard something unpleasant about me and
Mr. Carruthers at his club" said Mrs. Ainslie,
plucking neEvously at her dress.
What. at the Blenheim?" said Jack, frown-
ing:
Yes Mr.. Carruthers is member you know.
But all events it 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.. Carruthers throat
and create scandal said Mrs. Ainslie. "Be-
sides, of course, would prefer to keep the mat
ter a secret from him."
~ will try what can do, Amy, and I need
not say will be careful to avoid scandal"
said Jack HARDWOOD, rising to his feet. '.You
had better burn the draft of that unhappy let
ter. 1t has done enough mischief already /
will keep the other one,' he added, putttngtt
"Oh, Jack, how can thank you p exclaimed
his cousin, Selling both hands in her impulsive
I'm the first place, have done nothing at
present, and in the next, l am going to give you
parting piece of advice which will probably
me-" said Jack, grimIy ii hope this scrape YOU
have got into, Amy, will be q lesson to you and
will make you more discreet in your conduct.
in manner which was deuced unpleasant for
me to listen to- can tell you
With regard to the task he had undertaken,
the young man felt considerable doubt how to
act for the best. For a subaltern in the guards
Jack HARDWOOD was more than gifted with shrewd
common sense and business-like capacity. His
impulse was to call upon Mr.. Marmaduke Car
ruthers and insist upon his giving up the letter.
But Marmaduke Carruthers was one of those
men who inspire more candid natures with
wholesome distrust and somewhat exagger-
ated notion of their cleverness He had very
doubtful reputation, and though entitled to the
father being peer, he had the smallest preten-
sions to that desirable epithet. Jack Harwood
the least likely to part with his cousins letter
simply for the asking. 1t would have suited
Jacks hurnor to back up his demand by physi-
cal force, but by this means he might only Gre
ate a.scandai without attaining his object Be-
sides if his cousins suspicious were correct and
Marmaduke Carruthers had been base enough
to boast about the letter the mischief would not
be cured by merely getting it back again.
In order to satisfy himself upon the latter
point, he first turned his steps towards the
Blenheim club, of which he was also a member
He soon discovered, to his great disgust and in
dignation, that rumors were afioat which seri-
ously affected his cousins reputation. Her
Irritation with Marmaduke Carruthers ha
been a subject of comment for some time, and
latterly it had been whispered that the lady
was quite willing to elope with her admirer,
So far as Jack could ascertain, Marmaduke
Carruthers had dropped hints which had caused
this shameful report to get about, and though
he had not apparently gone SO far as to show
it,
Jack was not hot-tempered man, but It cost
him a great effort to control his rage and indig-
nation and to reflect calmly over the situation
He smoked two fuli-fiavored cigars-a very un-
usual thing for him to do in the middle OF the
and after an hours cogitation he rose from his
seat with an air of desperation.
at can't be helped. / must dissemble, an
they say on the stage" he muttered to himself
"It is devilish unpleasant to have to shake
hands with man one is longing to kick. But
through for Amy's sake, though it isn't in my
line at ALL"
So saying, he seized his hat and started to call
upon Marmaduke Carruthers at his chambers,
which were near at hand. Marnaduke Car
ruthers welcomed him with the frank appear.
sumo at moments notice. In this particular
instance, perhaps, he did no great violence to
his feelings, for he and Jack were old club ao.
quaintances OF many years standing and the
latter had the great recommendation In the ewes
Of an impecuniOus younger son Of being the
tn a tat