Mower County transcript., 1897-05-12
Sir. I'll call Marty and see what she


would attract some and repel others.
She had been a little reluctant in join
ing the conspiracy against Mr., Gray
SON, as no one knew better than she
did the untruthfulness Of the allega-
tions, but having been reared by So
cialistic father, who regarded everyone
with money as q natural foe, and be-
ling shown that, il successful, The
scheme would mean q quick marriage
with her sweetheart, Bill Kent, she was
soon persuaded. She had had rough
life, and it would be interesting to know
how much of her disposition was inher-
tied and how much acquired. F..
''Do you mean to say that ever sug-
gested that I should marry you?" asked
the curate, when she arrived.
Eyes, you did," said Marry, yelling
her eyes and trying to look modest.
"You did that day when you took me
on your Knee" ~ " &&z~.
''When-I-what?" = .. ~
"When you took me on your knee
and asked if had a sweetheart, and
when said no, you said you would ba
my sweetheart" And so artistic was
the girl that she managed to get
couple of very realistic tears to trickle
down her cheeks. Then she went on:
"You told me your name was Frank,
ard you asked me to call you Frank
''This is infamous!" cried Grayson, as
he fell helplessly back into his chair.
There was the merest atom of truth
in what she said, and the rest was an
utter fabrication. But how could he
prove it and get people to believe, him?
They might not be able to establish
theiG e)aim in court, but his name
would be for ever besmirched by the
sl1illfully concocted allegations.
What would his fancee, Dora Byng-
ham, say when she heard it? He al
most felt it would be better to be VIC
timized than to create so unpleasant
a scandal. At last he promised to give
them his decision in a weeks time, and
they agreed to wait for that period be-
fore taking furthera action.
Ill.
/ When Theophilus Baines, the vicar
OF Pretworth, gave a garden party III
the pretty grounds of his vicarage all
the local world was there. But to Dora
Bingham and the junior curate the
whole world only numbered two, and
they looked forward with a great deal
of Joy to the day when they two should
become one. Frank Grayson thought
himself exceedingly fortunate in hav-
ing secured the affections of so rich a
girl, but it was the girl herself and not
her banking account that he loved.
They had rambled together to Sc
cluded part of the garden, but they did
lot talk much. Dora was happy at be-
ing with him, and he was wondering
what answer he had better give his late
landlady in three days time, and wheth-
er or not it would be we'll to tell Dora all
about it. He felt sure shewould trust
him, and yet he shrank from the miser-
able subject. twas Miss Bingham who
spoke first.
"Oh, what a surprise, here comes Mr..
Hamer."
II thought Hamer was rather chum
of yours?" said .Grayson.
"Oh!" said Dora, with delightful
moue, that would have pleased every.
one but the dapper, innocent-looking
man who was approaching them.
"Never mind," said Frank. 'Per-
haps he'll have the sense and goodness
rot to speak"
Hamer might have had the sense, but
he certainly lacked the goodness. He
smiled very sweetly as he came forward
and shook hands with them both.
II was afraid you were not going to
be here, Miss Byngham.'
Really; why?"
"Because I was able to come myself,
and it is so seldom that such a charm
ing coincidence happens on my behalf" ."
what is it that so often detains you,
then?" asked Dora, while Frank pre-
| served all obstinate silence. hoping that
Hamer would move on.
ooh! we lawyers try to dc in practice
what the clergy do in theory said
Hamer, "and that is. put An end to
| crime.''
II thought you fourished "on it,"
burst out Grayson, who disliked Hamer
more than little. .-..
"perhaps shall some day." replied
Hamer, lightly, but flushed little as
he said it.
"Shall we go and have game at
| croquet?" asked Dora, to create di-
version, and perhaps get rid of Hamer.
"What! Are you not sorry that that
| game has been revived, Miss Byng-
ham p he asked. 1T is so insidious."
"Insidious; how SOP" ~
"Why, it teaches you to 60 up to q
ball, to creep as near-to it as you can,
even to embrace il, and then. after
lingering apparently in friendliness
and love by it's side,~ this apparent
affection suddenly proves to be mask,
and with mighty sweep you drive it
to perdition, or as near it as You can!
I think the game inculcates treachery,
Miss Bingham, and it ought to be pun
ished as we punish breach of promise. -
He had made his little speech with a
gayety that caused Dora to smile at his
humorous fancy, but he glanced at
Grayson as he spoke about the BREACH OF