The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-10-23
MINNIE'S STRATAGEM

Usflis ". BUgbee.
MINNIE'S STRATAGEM.
Brandon Cloud, author, sat Oh the
edge Of his bed and gazed in dismal
dispair at the upturned sole Of his boot.
On the table lay an almost complet-
ed novel, whose progress had received
a dual check. Firstly, the supply OF
paper had become exhausted, which,
secondly, allowed the author time ia
think OF the woman he loved and this
always made him 50 utterly miserable
that he could not bring his thoughts to
bear upon anything but the apparent
hopelessness Of the state of man.
"WelI, Brandon, my boy lie mus
ed bitterly, ''you've reached the end
at last. Assets, ID cents; liabilities,
an empty stomach and landlady'.
bill for $50"
He had thought of suicide before
but he was young and chung to life,
bad as it was, living more in hope than
substance.
The only alternative was starvation
and this he considered worse still. III,
could not have labored manually if he
had got work to do, for having beer
born in the purple he had always com
ted poverty ont of his life, 50 had learn.
ed no trade. He dropped into his chail
again ard picked UP the manuscript
of his novel. How beautifully smootl
it read what grand plot it was, anc
what character was the poor, sirug
Cling, ambition-loving journalist
Ffn-de-Siecle Fool Al If he coulf
finish it. No more starvation, no NOR
living TO widow landiadies, no mor
dreaming uf the woman he loved bu
would not marry.
While he sat thinking Of what nigh
be there came 4 knock at the door, 2
timid that he did not notice it until i
was repeated thrice.
"The landlady," he thought, with
out rising.
However, il was not the portly form
Of the widow that met Brandon's gaz
when the door opened, but swee
little vision ola girl enwrapped in 81
hlcs. He started 10 his feet with 81
exclamation rs she came into the room
the smile on her face lighting up III
apartment like ray of summer sun
shine.
"My dear Minnie" he cried, a. h
offered her chair and relieved her
her muff and boa, "what in the worl
induced you to come here?'
"Curios;y and-love but"
'.Curio-ity Seven-eigths of w
mans nature. It has ruined many
woman and"
Now it's going to save a mar" ;" sh
interposed with smile, which die
from her eyes, as she glanced aroun
the room. "You don't appear TO !
very comfortable, and no fire. 70
said in your letter you were maxim
your fortune. That is not true"
Brandon was seated on the edge
the table looking at nothing particl
lar.
Perfectly" he answered, shifiin
uneasily. "Only, you know, Mimi
it's work there are 80 many at Il
game, and never was clever"
"You have grown pessimistic. Po'
Brandon - and she caught his hand
.'How cold you are! Why don't y'
have a fire?''
The author did not answer.
ooh, | understand" she said in
low, sympathetic voice. "No WOO
no Goals, no money, ELI >" and she Z
ressed his hand fondly. "You ha'
not made much progress on the roy
road?n
Don't you understand, Minnie,
have endeavored TO earn my own Ii
ing honestly, endeavOred to be ind
pendent Of any man, and ! want to GO
tinue so. There are enough parasit
in the world. 1t has been bit OF
struggle, I'll admit, but | have grow
accustomed TO it."
"Brandon," was Minnie's solen
response, al want 10 show you the f
Iy of your independence. Did y
think | could not read between {
lines of your letter to me? \ m
; who is making his fortune, or who
: earning living aud has hopes for &
future, does not iinplore the woman
loves to forget him and marry sol
other man. Brandon, do you 10
me?' She placed her hands upon
shoulders and looked up into his f;t
He shut his eyes for moment
lips auivered and he did not speak. |
he smoothed her fair hair softly.
J "Then YOU will come away wi
me?p she pleaded. You will I'll
your foolish spirit of pride and in
pcndence and make me q happy
man ?r and she nestled her head on
arm. "Not long ago, when you w
rich, you loved me and we were to
married but when you lost your all
those wretched companies you wo'
not be nay husband, though my fortt
is ample for boil"
al wish | could swallow my wrot
ed pride, but cannot. | could not
on your money in your house. My
, most feelings would cry shame at II
= my position would be unbearaole.
Minnie shivered.
'sYou are cold?n ne asked.
She nodded.
"Well, you had better be goin
! 4, al.