Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-06-07
SHORT AND SWEET.
LOVERS PLOT.

Il know | am, said the man ad-
dress ed, with something like a groan,
''but what can | do? If | only. had the
coura ga / would clear out Of this
cursed Narragans ett this very night,
but can't, end that's TIE end of it.
Why should / stay? The girl does not
want me johnson That is clear.
at is not clear that the girl does not
want you, but il is clear that you
showed your hand too soon. The idea
of man proposing to woman he has
only known three days"
You need not say any more about
it," said Arnold. throwing away his
half smoked cigsr and picking up his
hat.
IS down, old man, said the other.
do not believe that have an idea. l
am going to do you good turn.
Leave it to me to find out for you what
is the exact state of affairs
There is no use," said Arnold,
YEARLY Besides you'll make bog
gle oft What is your plan anyway"
"Oh, it is very simple. l shall not
make a mess of it shall supply her
with a rival. II will be so easy TO see
from the way Miss Ralston takes it
| how you really stand 10 her eyes
Since women have no scrupes about
employing articles, why should we?
But what will the other girl say?
| Will she consent TO serve as tool in
this wsy?" asked Arnold obviously.
"Oh, III make that square. My
cousin, Miss Erskin, is coming down
to stay with US. She is the dearest girl
in the world, and would do anything in
the world for me. just leave it in my
hands You shall see how she will en-
ter into the spirit of the thing. But re-
member this, the success of the whole
business will be in your chucking that
Internal reserve of yours to the dogs.
You must be as light as air and 90 a
bout with her as if quite Obvious of
the fact that there is a Miss Ralsten
III 30 premises,
With many misglyings Arnold con-
seuted to be party TO the deception.
de ielt as If he were Matching con
spiracy against the state.
TN the evening OF Miss Erskine's
arrival he dressed himself with especial
care and went W to the house. He
Was prepared TO be very Ill at ease with
his fellow conspirator. But the girl.
who was sitting beside Mrs. johnson in
the drawing-room, showed no sign of
pat ticipation though the proposer of
the scheme had told him that she had
heard ell about the situation, and had
given her promise of assistance.
Among those who came in later was
Miss Ralston. johnson felt that his
plot was going to be a success when he
saw Arnold take no more notice of her
than to bow stiflly. He wondered
intle at the gilt for realistic acting
which his friend had suddenly and I'M
expeciedly developed. 70 look at him
and Miss Erskine, you would haYe said
they were friends OF very long standing.
His triumph was increased though it
was dashed by just little remorse as
he saw Miss Rslston watching them
with a pecu lar look in her eyes
''She does not care for him" he said
to himself. ''but it serves her right to
get this lesson,
Mr.. johnson gave her an opportunity
of talking to him, but she made no al
'usIon To the other couple for a long
time Finally, she asked him how
long Arnold and Miss Erskine had
known each other She seemed sur
prised. though she tried to hide it,
when told that they had met for the
first 'ime that day.
During the next week the comedy
progressed gaily. The hero and sub
stituted heroine walked together,
played tennis together, and were gen
orally inseparable.
One evening on the pier Mr.. and
Mrs. johnson saw them passing the
place where the lady sat for whose ben
eft the play was arranged.
I'VE won't have to keep it up much
longer" SAID Johnson. That is glori.
ously well acted But Mrs. johnson
said nothing.
All Arnold's mopishment had flown
away. The consciousness of coming
success seemed to have settled down on
BIN. He was no longer impatient,
and, instead of being the worst. had
dese'oped INTO the best company in the
world. Johnson once told his wife
that he believed Providence had cut
him ont for a diplomatIst. Every
sign gwen by the person deceived he
waite he'd with the keen eye of doctor
observing the details and developments
of pet case.
Early the next week he had 10 go TO
town At the end of three days he
came back He was quite curious 10
know how the plot lad progressed
during his absence Arnold was the
first person he saw as he descended
from the train. lie knew there was
uothing wrong from the expression OF
his face.
''Well, how have things been going
while | was awayp" said lie with line
professional interest.
''SplendIdly," said Arnold. "You
shall be the first to congratulate me,
old man. 1t was settled this alter
noe
Il do said johnson. wringiug his
hand with vigor that made the other
vince. And hope she won't be angry
with me for planning the deception we
PLAYED on her Miss Ralston is !; fine