Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-12-01
AN EXPERIMENT..

AN EXPERIMENT.
When I dropped into Clarissa's studio
or that eventful morning, I did not ex-
pect anything very eventful to happen.
Much less was I conscious Of the fact that
erately 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 oc-
Cured to mar our friendship, and we crit
icised each others daubs quite frankly
and fearlessly. 1t is true that Clarissa had
been a bit funny lately, but that was part
iy my own fault. For she had made a
study of a girls head for which l had a
sneaking admiration, and it seemed to
particularly annoy her chat l always turn
I'D to that canvas. This morning l felt
mischievous and stopped there longer than
usual.
"George!" I did not hear. "George!"
crescendo. No answer. "George!'' for
tissimo.
"Did you speak," said l looking star
tied. 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 impress
sionable fellow you are!"
"Hoity toity!' I said. "And pray,
miss, why am I imp~ressionable?"
"Well'-a pause-'you seem to b.
ga mans privilege" l interrupted.
tu,J nnI ,rs%I 1,r,,r So,xts,,,nr%u1
tale you hear
"a sign of my good nature" l said.
-"and I do believe if we had not been
chums for SO long that l could make you
fall in love with me now if 1 liked to try"
I Immediately became cautious. you
have a very pretty face, Clarissa, y / said,
land I have no doubt that l should have
fallen in love with you when w first met
if you had only told me a sentimental
taler'
NOW, George" impatiently, ''let us
be serious. Are your feelings for NE real
ly so cold that you would not mind If l
f1irted with Mr.. Jones for q whole even
ingP"
"Ten million Joneses would not move
me-" I answered.
"If that Ia the case, i" said Clarissa firm
ly, 1--WE will try an experiment. Let us
drop u platonic friendship for a time,
and I will see IL I cannot arouse in you
the green eyed monster"
"It'squite impossible" I said. II know
all your faults, and you would not have
the ghost Of a chance"
"Really, George, you underrate my
powers. You do not imagine that I am
serious, and you are so conceited that you
think you are impervious. However, I
will see If I cannot succeed"
"Clarissa, this is foolishness. 1t will
break up all our camaradcrie. Besides Ia
happy thought) you knew you might fall
in love with me-"
"There!" exclaimed Clarissa, clapping
her hands. "Didn't l say you were CON
ceitedP The idea is ahsurd!'
Absurd" I sneered. every we'll, l
will accept your challenge, but mind you,
Clarissa, I can 1irt desperately, and if l
am making all impression or you l will
propose. What will happen thenf''
"Then2 Oh, nothing at all! We shall
just take Punch's advice and won't. But
of course you will never screw your cour-
age up to that point"
"Done with you!" I cried. "And you
will have to keep pretty wide awake, bo-
cause I shall reserve the liberty Of flirting
with other girls"
"Poohl I shan't care. Now, George,
please go and give me time to think it
over. we will ommence our experiment
tomorrow"
As 1 went I chuckled to myself. What
a time l would have! I would make
(1n~{,1H sAn1o,r~ n..l 1nok 1,1r - kn,, 1v,,,,
game.
Next day I called at Clarissa's house,
eager for the fray.
"Outp Didn't she think l was comingP"
ooh, yes," they said, ''she expected you,
but left word that she was Obliged to go
out!"
"Where has she gone"
They did not know. Oh, we'll, I am
sure I didn't care one little bit! Happy
thought! I would stroll down the High
street and see If l could not meet any 9TH
er girls I knew, and perhaps Clarissa
might seq me.
Sauntering along, I soon met Mabel
Carr, and we went into the confectioner's
to have Ices. Who should be sitting there
at a small table but Clarissa-with Jones!
Clarissa nodded to ME, smiled and went
on talking. I got the wrong ice for Mabel
Carr and brought her a ham sandwich in
stead Of q wafer, and she said vas aw-
fully slow that afternoon. Clarissa and
Jones sat us out, and Jones had such a
particularly SNUG look on his face as we
left the shop that I could have gone back
and punched his head.
The next day being Sunday, l went to
ohp,rNh hoO0VYoo I rouy C1ouseeo sso;,,.v
tried to catch her eye during service, but
she only locke my way once and then
dropped her eyes and blushed.
Ohio, thought I, we are getting on! But
when the sermon began / found that
Jones was sitting behind me. Hang Jones!
Monday afternoon Clarissa's people
were lat home" but I only got a few
words with her.
"Clarissa," I said, II call 1t a beastly
shame the way
"Now, George, I do not mind your be.
ing with Miss Carr"
II was not thinking Of Jones" said I
Aastily.
"Well, I have no time to talk now. Be-
sides, we must not be seen too much to.
gether. Do get some tea" And of she
tripped.
Not be seen too much tog- thought l.
Hang It'll Clarissa Ia mean. How can !
press my suit If she will not give me an
opportunity
l quite saw how It was. I must not give
Clarissa any advantage, but must carry
the war Into the enemy's country.
Next day I wrote her q long letter, tr
which I dwelt on her unkindness In keep
inE away from me. I laid ON the ssntA