Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-01-02
A GAME FOR TWO.

Never would have believed Dick cap
able of such base and heartless duplici-
ty if my own eyes had not borne witness
to it's odious existence. l loved him
loved him more than woman ever loved
man before. l had heard hard things
said of him, but l credited not
one of them; common rumor-
which always savors of spite-could
not shake my faith in the man to
whomT had pledged myself, heart and
life. And yet here-here beneath my
fingers--lay equivocal proof of his
guileful, treacherOus nature.
Dick and had been engaged less than
a month-how soon had he tired of me!
when mother accepted his fathers
invitation to the Norfolk home of the
Rowes. Dick journeyed down with us
from town, and am sure the shrewdest
reader of character would never have
suspected that even then his brain was
busy scheming against my happiness
80 careful of mother was he, so atten-
tive to our every want and comfort.
Yet this must have been the case, for
on the second day after our arrival l
became privy, by the merest chance,
to his perfidious designs.
That morning before dinner I made
my way to the library, whittier l knew
Dick had gone to write his letters, he
told me. His absence had been so I'M
considerably long that 1 determined
y to invade his solitude, even at the risk of
being chided for it. While / was yet
20 yards from the library door l heard
his voice raised in hullabaloo such as
only he can create.
Get out of there, you snappy little
brute!" he cried. Sssssh!-phew!-
SCAT
pushed open the door just in time to
see him vault over the table, overturn
acouple of chairs and disappear through
the French windows that abutted the
terrace. Through this glass L caught
fitful glimpses of him as he dashed
hither and thither after mothers pet
too-who, on his part, was equally eX-
cited in yapping and scurrying after
Mr.. Rowe's cherished peacocks.
Come here, sir!" shouted Dick, angri-
ly. Gar! you horrible little beast!"
% And the language Dick used! Ger
tainly it was not warranted by the oc-
casion, for the dear little animal meant
no harm, but was only giving vent to
his natural playfulness. l could re-
strain myself no longer when Dick, irri-
tated by his fruitless chase, began to
throw handfuls of tuft and gravel at
the frolicsome little creature.
Stepping toward the window to ex-
postulate, my eyes happened to fall
upon the letter Dick had been writing
before this interruption came. The
words 1 saw glued me to the spot.
Without shame 1 say it-there and
then read every syllable he had so far
penned.
'MY DARLING CURLY-LoCKs," so this ex-
4ecrable epistle ran. You must really
learn to moderate the fervor of your billet
douz in future and so must I. If she saw
them-she who must be obeyed-they
would give rise to such questionings as
even I, with all my wits, would be unable
to parry without letting out our secret.
We must be cautious, therefore, and lie
low / will hatch up dodge by which you
can be brought into the house unknown to
her Leave that to me. AS for the pres
ents 1 promised you, you shall have them
without fail if you solemnly assure me
that you will not seek to rule me in future
as you have done in the"
At this point the letter broke off.
But had read enough-too much, in
deed, for my peace. And this was
Dick! This mean, crafty, guilty wretch
was Dick-the true Dick!
With an effort forced back the tears
that welled to my eyes. He was not
worth sigh. / would be strong, /
would beat down my fondness for him
my foolish, confiding infatuation-
even though my heart broke under the
ordeal.
/ had crossed the floor and taken a
book from the shelves ere Dick, having
driven the poor dog indoors, blundered
into the room. / caught his muttered
"'nuisance-m ischieyous little curl" be,
fore he espied me.
All, Jennie-you here ?"he exclaimed
with simulated joy. "Pm sorry have
been so long. Fact is, L"
While he was speaking he sidleC
toward the table, lifted up the plotting
Pad, and stealthily dropped it over
that horrible letter. Well he might hide
it. Then, with outstretched hand. ht
came in my direction.
Capt. Rowe" / said coldly, drawing
back, you have-you are never
thought you could be $3.50 heartless.
There was no other way" lie re
Joined, misunderstanding my allusion
II couldn't catch the beas-the dog
end we should have had my fathel
down ON our Threats if anything hac
happened to his ninus birds"
I'm glad - somebody