The Somerset reporter., 1898-07-07
A FRIENDLY RUSE.

the dinner table. 1t had been rather IA
quiet dinner, and he had had to do
nearly all the talking. Bradshaw open
ed the door, and Mr.. Garraw&y noticed
that each avoided looking at the other
Ernest Bradshaw closed the door and
came back to the table He cracked a
walnut, and on opening it threw it into
the fire
Bad?" said Mr. Garraway. He was
starting a cigar and he had refilled his
glass. He was perfectly at home with
the Bradshaws.
Yes, said young Mr. Bradshaw
violently "Of course it's bad Worst
of it is that you never know until you
try"
Mr.. Garraway owed his success as a
solicitor mainly to knowing exactly
when not to do the wrong thing Young
Bradshaw lighted cigar and after a
few puffs let it go out Then he stood
up with his back to the fret was his
fire-and looked at Garraway
. want to ask You something, Cara
way Do you ever have people coming
to you to draw up deeds of separation"
"Oh. yes pretty often. -
well, would you mind being of
| some use to me-and to Ellen?'
why certainly. I've known you
both-Mrs. Bradshaw especially-for a
long time. But you two don t want to
be separated? Why, man alive, you
haven t been married a year,"
"Garraway, look here. We have had
a row. a dispute, or whatever you like
to call it. ;"
What should call it, " said Cara
way, rising and speaking with some as
cerbity, would be a little disagreement
between two excellent young people who
ought to know better. "
Nevertheless, my dear Garraway' -
the young husbands lips quiyered-
nevertheless we have agreed to part "
On the piano in the drawing room up
stairs a few chords were struck and
the clear voice of Mrs. Bradshaw rang
out Garraway, getting on in the thir
ties, and sober man of law, found the
hand that held his cigar shaking for "a
moment.
"You see, " said Bradshaw "perfect-
ly jolly over it. 3"
There was sudden stop and crash
on the piano as though the player could
keep it up no longer.
Look here, Bradshaw Mr.. Cara
way passed his hand carefully over his
smooth, spare hair-"look here. Call at
my place at II tomorrow morning, and
I'll do what is wanted. "
''Thank you, Garraway. "
shall we go up stairs? l must ar
range with her. :"
The demure, precise little clock on
the mantelpiece i'll Mr. Garraway' 5
chambers struck II o'clock y small
boy entered with card.
THANK you, Judd. Show the lady
in, Mr.. Gibson.
Mr. Gibson withdrew his work to the
outer office, stepping aside at the door
to permit slim, girlish figure to enter.
How do you do, Mr.. Garraway: I'm
not late, am /? did not know the place,
and had little difficulty, | presume
you are aware of the nature of my err
randi said the visitor.
1--WE often have little difficulties i'll
lllb law NIB. iDIdtlSIldN. IL tNciA lllllS
worked smoothly, we would starye
had no chance of speaking to you last
night, said Mr. Garraway, Excepting
to ask you to call, but | had brief
conversation with Bradshaw, and he
assured me that you had quite made up
your mind about the matter.
He is, in this particular instance,
To ~ nht - h. hon, tpfYAt Il
and looked as determined as she could
And so am to draw up the deed of
separation?'
IF you please.
Its rather rough on me, went on
Mr.. Garraway, with an effort at humor.
why, 1t seems only yesterday that
was his best man, and you and he went
away to Neuchatel, and we cheered you
as you left Victoria station. Do you re
member
Would you mind telling me, please,
when the document can be drawn"
And do you remember your first din
her after your return, and how jolly we
all were? Why, you were as comforta-
BILE as anything until week or so ago
weren't you?''
What l propose to do, " said the
stern young lady with just the suspi-
cion of a catch in her voice, sis 10 go
abroad with my aunt for year or two
and leave the house just Us it stands for
Ernest to live i'll. He can get house.
keeper, you see and
by Jover' cried Mr. Garraway
That's not bad ideal
lyon think-you think it will work
all right, Mr. Garraway<"
"Oh, think sol I'll tell you why
OF course you want Ernest to be com
Portable, don It YOU
There was a softening of her eyes
"Oh, yes 1t is only our one great
quarrel of last week that is parting US,
and -
IL know; | know Now, look here
Mrs. Bradshaw | wouldn't take so
much trouble if | were only your law
yer, but m your friend as well, am |
not?''
Dear Mr., Caravan we two have
always been good friends.
well, will you allow me, then. as
IN old friend, to give you little ad-
vice? should advise you to make up
this difference of opinion with Ernest.
I'm told-of course I'm only bachelor
but I'm told that all Young couples
have their quarrels to begin with, and
Il = / q