The Press., 1898-09-29
A FRIENDLY RUSE.


Mrs. Bradshaw rose from her seat at
the dinner table. 1t had been rather a
quiet dinner, and he had had to do
nearly all the talking. Bradshaw open
ed the door, and Mr. Garraway 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 reflled his
glass. He was perfectly at home with
the Bradshaws.
Eyes" 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 a cigar and after a
few puffs let it go out. Then he stood
up with his back to the fire-it was his
fire-and looked at Garraway.
II 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 year!'
"Garraway, look here. We have had
row, dispute, or whatever you like
to call it. +"
"What I should call it, - said Cara
way, rising and speaking with some as
cerbity, "wou1d be little disagreement
between two excellent young people who
ought to know better. +"
Nevertheless, my dear Garraway' p
the young husbands lips quivered-
nevertheless we have agreed to part. +"
On the piano in the drawing room up
stairs few chords were struck and
tie 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
s9noment.
"You see, said Bradshaw perfect
ly jolly over it. y
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. -
tsThan1y Won (1aT.rayUav -
"Shall we go up stairs? must ar
range with her."
The demure, precise little clock on
the mantelpiece in Mr.. Garraway s
chambers struck II O'Clock. A 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.
elbow do you do, Mr.. Garraway? I'm
not late, am l? did not know the place,
and I had little difficulty. I presume
you are aware of the nature of my er-
rand?'' said the visitor.
eve often have little difficulties in
the law, Mrs Bradshaw. If everything
worked smoothly, we would starve.
had no chance Of speaking to you last
night, said Mr.. Garraway, excepting
to ask you to call, but had brie1
conversation with Bradshaw, and he
assured me that you had quite made uI
your mind about the matter. "
"He is, in this particular instance
quite right" She put her lips together
4 \
"And so am to draw up the deed Of
separation?''
eff you please.
''It's rather rough on me,' went or
Mr.. Garraway, with an effort at humor
''Why, it seems only yesterday that
was his best man, and you and he wen
away to Neuchatel, and we cheered yoI
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
ner after your return, and how jolly wC
all were? Why, you were as comforta
BILE as anything until a week or SO agc
weren't your
''What 1 propose to do" said the
stern young lady, with just the suspi
cion of a catch in her voice, "is to q
abroad with my aunt for year or tive
and leave the house just as it stands fo1
Ernest to live in. He can get a house
keeper, you see, and'-
"By JoveP' cried Mr.. Garraway
"That's not bad ideap'
"You think-you think it will worl
all right, Mr. Garraway?''
"Oh, think sol I'll tell you why
Of course you want Ernest to be com
J Portable. don't you?''