The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-11-13
THE STRATAGEM.
Why Sissy Doddles Went Back on
His Girl.

Mapes, 'that 1 should have been SO
utterly ,diotic!"
"You couldn't feresee the future,
child" said Miss Snaggs, an unfortu-
nate poor relation, who acted the part
OF maid, dressmaker, and toady in gen.
eral to Miss Mapes. "You seemed to
be doing the best for yourself at the
time"
"Well, l thought So" sighed Hen
rietta. 81 know l am beauty, Sarah,
but time e0ill fly; and Sissy had the in
terest of hundred thousand dollars,
and was perfectly correct in his dress
and department., and of good old
family, and such an idiot that | could
twist him around my finger, and ac-
cepted him; and here comes his uncle,
with a million-and a man of sixty is
not so dreadfully old-and falls in love
with me on the spot. Look at those
dollhouse roses! The basket must have
cost twenty-five dollars; and a note
with them. Listen, I'll read it to you:
May see you alone on Thursday EVENING"
have most particular question to ask-one
on which my future happiness depends"
"Of course, that means an offer of
marriage"
"Of course said Miss Snaggs. "a
million! Why, I'm told that it's
nearer two! And how you could enjoy
I'll But an engagement is not a mar
rage. Why don't you break with Mr..
Doddles and marry Mr.. Crump?"
II don't see how I can, when I've
sworn so often that l adored him"
said Henrietta. But if he could only
be brought to quarrel with me, or to
change his own mind Che has not got
any mind, still, / don't know how to
express it otherwise). It's dreadful
thing to make an enemy out of an old
lover. He always does something
spiteful when he gets a chance. But
if he thinks he does it himself, and
feels remorseful. you may count on
him as friend"
Henrietta, / was reading the other
day about a girl who wanted to got
rid of dreadful old, rich man that
her mother wanted her to marry, so
that she could marry handsome,
young, poor man-just the reverse of
what you want, you know-and she
made him believe she was painted.
She had complexion of cream and
roses really, but she rubbed rouge on
her handkerchief, and made him think
it came off her cheeks. Now you
might try that"
"Why, Sarah" cried Henrietta, II
declare never thought you had so
much wit. l believe l could get rid of
Sissy that way. But l might get a
pound of rouge on my handkerchief,
and he'd never think OF its having
come off my cheeks unless | said so. "
''lf you tell me to do so, FL make
him believe you make up like a ballet
girl" said Miss Snaggs. There's not
much time to waste. This is Tuesday.
MIR. Crump wants his answer Thurs
day. You can't live in any thing like
style on Mr., Doddles' income. He
spends it all on himself now. I'll
really enjoy the deed. Shall ~"
''Oh, pray dor cried Henrietta.
IL see that you have every thing YOU
want after | am Mrs. Crump. You
know I'll keep my word, Sarah
Very we'll, then. Write a note and
get Mr.. Doddles to call this after
noon. and you hide yourself. I'll fix
it," said Miss Snaggs.
And Henrietta instantly sat down to
her desk and penned the note, which
Sarah took to the post-office, stopping
at the druggists on the way hence for
more material for the trick she in.
tended to play on Mr. Doddles.
At four o'clock that afternoon, Miss
Snaggs sat in the small parlor where
Henrietta usually received her suitor
when two small boys below the win
dow drew attention to 1.-The dude!" ant
the bell rang. Shortly ashaven head
and eye-glass, collar stiff as cast
iron and upholding the chin of the
wearer as though it were a surgic al
appliance, pair of very full trousers,
and slope-shouldered coat, with a
hot.house blossom in its button-hole,
q small mouth opened over too many
very prominent white teeth, and &
so'ce like that Of a parrot uttered
Wese disconnected words.