Griggs courier., 1893-10-06

He had half-de6ned plot for what
might prove to be the long-lool<ed for
great American novel; he wanted quiet
in which to let the aforesaid plot devel-
op. and conceived that Forest lake
would be just the place to help him out
He was perfectly right, and his plans
might have worked beautifully had it
not been for one fact. At Forest lake,
on the very night of his arrival, he met
somebody he knew. Now, ordinarily,
this state of affairs is inconsequential.
One may almost anywhere meet some
ono one has met elsewhere, but one
usually feels privileged to shun him or
her somewhat after the interchange of
| ordinary courtesies In this case, how
ever. it was different. The somebody
involved was not person who could.
should or would be passed by with the
scant attentions which (Allah be
praised!) it is our privilege. our inalien-
able God-given right to half bestow
upon our fellow beings who live and
breathe and have their being for some
inscrutable reason, and who must (for
they move about be met and associated
with.
This somebody was q Young woman
AS most somebodies who arc worth
meeting are apt to be. She was not an
ordinary young woman, barring the
facts that she had a good appetite, ex-
cellent digestion, vulgarly healthy
complexion and the tendency to dress
well with which SO many of these latter
day girls of ours are affected. On the
other hand, she was entirely charming
and unusual. She was very, very
pretty-there was only one opinion on
that subject, at least among the men Of
her acquaintance-but she had brains.
She had, also, a wealthy, indulgent
papa, and an inclination, coupled with
the ability, to write clever prose and
verse.
These be incongruities. yet, withal.
in combination delightful Moreover.
she had had serious talks with Blunt
about things literary, had asked his
advice and-greatest of all-was as
much an admirer of his work as was
one John Blunt. Something of this
Blunt had learned from her at their
Arst meeting, which occurred at ses-
sion of club of literary dilettantes to
which both happened to belong;
Miss Devens was delighted to see
him. She liked Blunt very much and,
besides, young men rather Stunned
Forest lake as stupid" so the new
conner was decided acquisition. Hence,
before Blunt had had sufficient time to
find where he was he had been intro
duced to everybody, had danced with
almost everybody, and at twelve
o'clock midnight sat in a little alcove
with Miss Devens watching the throng
of dancers and "non-combatants," :"
aware that he would be expected to
speak to everyone of them next day,
and wondering how on earth he was
going to remember all those names
At this hour he was rather dazed and
inclined to view ruefully his shattered
plans about 'plotting"-but. later in
his stay at Forest lake, he could not re-
member that he had been especially
grieved over the unexpected turn of
events.
"Whew! amt it hot?" wheezed
"Dubs," pathetically, if ungrammatic-
ally, as he vigorously mopped his damp
brow for the first time in two minutes.
swish I were out of this for just about
two weeks, right now. 'Dibs' must be
having genial time with himself, loaf
ing around at summer resorts. See his
letter in the Sunday paper?' he in
quired of the man at the next desk.
''Whose? Blunt's? Yes. Say, he
must be having good time at Forest
lake. 1t was the first place he struck,
and he hasn't budged yet. Thought he
was going to take 'em all in?"
Dunno" said ''Dubs." doubtfully.
'He must've run up against some at
traction. He's been there nearly three
weeks now, and hasn't written me
since he first arrived, SO he must be
busy"
Blunt was having a good time. and
he was rather busy. Miss Devens liked
boating and fishing and tennis and
moonlight strolls, in which preference
Blunt coincided to the extent that pres
emily Miss Devens' other friends among
the few men there had to amuse them
selves without much of the solace of
her society; Rnd Papa Devens was like
to have fit, SO nearly overcome was he
with nervous apprehension at the way
that penniless scribbler monopolized
his daughter. In fact, SO apprehensive
was he that he mentioned the matter to
the young woman herself one morning.
He was very anxious, he assured her,
that she make suitable and worthy
alliance; and he viewed with disfavor
the attentions of this young man. who
while worthy enough in some ways,
was nobody and penniless at that
"And trust" he added, that you will
give him no encouragement, for
should certainly decline. Harriet, to
consent to your-your becoming en-
gagged to him."
Whereat Harriet. who had been
listening smilingly throughout, blushed
prettily, and said, laughingly:
Nonsense. papa! The very idea!
Why, neither of us ever dreamed of
such nonsensical things" And then
she tripped away to join the ''penni-
less nobody" who was tinlxering with
the row-locks of her boat down at the
landing, while Mamma Devens, gen.
tie smile on her sweet facc leanad hacl.