Evening journal., 1898-12-24
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/ kNI HIN 1 dropped into Clarissa's
w studio on that evcntful morning.
l did not expect anything very event
ful to happen; much less was con-
scious of the fact that / was going TO
join conspiracy deliberately,
thought-out plot directed against the
future of my all-important self, and
Matched by Clarissa herself
During the five years that we had
been comrades Of the brush" nothing
had occurred TO mar orr friendship,
and we criticised each others daubs
quite frankly and fearlessly; it is true
that Clarissa had been bit funny late
ly, but that was partly my own fault.
For she had made a study of girls
head for which had sneaking i'd
miration, and it seemed TO particularly
annoy her that always turned 10 that
canvas. This morning felt mischiev-
ous, and stopped there longer than
usual.
"Georgel" I did not hear. "Georgel"
(crescendo.) No answer. "Georgel"
| (fortissimo.)
"Did You spealS?" said /. looking
startled. Clarissa stamped her little
foot.
81 shall put that picture away alto
gether If you come here incoming like
this and won't talk to me; what an inn
pressionable fellow you arel"
"Hoity-toityl" 1 said. And pray,
miss, why am / so impressionable?"
"Well--(a pause)-you seem to be
struck with every pretty face you
Sec"
"a mans privilege" interrupted.
"-and-and with every sentimental
tale you herr"
"a sign of my good nature," l said.
"-and | do believe, il we had not
been chums for so long, that l could
make you fall in love with me now if
l liked to try"
l Immediately became cautious.
''You have very pretty face, Clarissa," "
said, "and / have no doubt that
should have fallen in love with you
when we first met if you had only told
me a sentimental talel"
"Now. George" Qmpatiently), "let us
be serious; are your feelings for me
really so cold that you would not mind
IL l fiirted with Mr.. Jones for whole
EVENING""
"Ten million Joneses would not move
me-" answered.
IF that is the case" said Clarissa,
firmly, 1--WE will try an experiment. Let
us drop our platonic friendship for a
time, and will see If cannot arouse in
you the green-eyed monster"
Its quite impossible" I said. Il
know allyour faults, and you would not
have the ghost of q chance"
"Really. George, you underrate my
powers. You do not imagine that am
serious, and you are so conceited that
you think you are impervious How
ever, I will see if cannot succeed"
"Clarissa, this is foolishness; it will
break ar. all our cnmnraderie. Besides
"a happy thought. you know you
might fall in love with me"
"Thcre!" exclaimed Clarisse, clap
ping her hands didn't say you were
conceited? The idea is absurdl"
Absurd" 1 sneered; very well, 1
win accept your challenge. but mind
YOU, Clarissa, can fiirt Desperately,
and If am making an impression on
you, will propose. What viii happen
then?"
"Then? Oh, nothing at all; we shall
Just take Punch's advice and won't.
But. Of course, you win never screw
your courage up to that point"
Done with you'll" 1 cried; "and you
will have to keep pretty wide-awake.
because I shall reserve the liberty Of
flirting with other girls"
"Poohl 1 shan't care. Now George,
please go, and give me time to think it
over. We will commence our expert
ment tomorrow"
As went / chucllled to myself; what
4 time / Would have! l would make
Clarissa jealous and beat her at her own
game.
Next day l called at Clarissa's house,
eager for the fray.
"Out? Didn't she think was com
ing?"
"Oh, yesl" they said. "she expected
you, but left word that she was obliged
to go out"
"Where has she gone TOP"
They did not know Oh, well, ! am
sure / didn't care one little. bit. Happy
thought / would stroll down the High
street and see if could not meet any
other girls knew and perhaps Clarissa
might see me.
sauntering along. soon met Mabel
Carr and we went into the confection-
er's to have ices Who should be sitting
there at n small table but Clarissa-
with Jones!
Clarissa nodded to me, smiled and
went on talking. got the wrong ice for
Mabel Carr. and brought her ham
sandwich instead Of wafer. and she
said I was awfully slow that afternoon
Clarissa and Jones sat us out, and
Jones had such n particularly SNUG
look on his face as we left the shop that
l could have gone back and punched
his head
The next day being Sunday, went tC
chureh-because I saw Clarissa going
tried to catch her eye during service
but she only looked my way once, and
then dropned her eyes and blushPd