The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1899-01-27
AN EXPERIMENT..

TX 7 HEN I dropped into Claris-
wv sa's studio on that eventful
morning l did not expect
anything very eventful to happen;
much less was l conscious of the fact
that 1 was going to join. conspiracy
dellberately-thoug plot directed
against the future Of my all-important
self, and Matched by Clarlssa herself.
During the five years that we had
been Comrades Of the brush" nothing
had occurred to mar our friendship,
and we criticised each others daubs
quite frankly and fearlessly; 1t Is true
that Clarissa had been bit funny late
ly, but that was partly my own fault.
For she had made II study Of a girls
head for which l had a sneaklng ad-
mlratlon, and 1t seemed to particularly
annoy her that 1 always turned to that
canvas. This morning l felt mischlev-
Gus. and stopped there longer than
usual.
"Georgew I did not hear. "Georgew
(crescendo.) No answer. "Georgew
, (fortisslmo)
odd you speak" said I, looking
startled. Clarissa stamped her little
foot.
Il shall put that picture away alto
gether II you come here incoming like
/ this and won't talk to me; what an i'm
questionable fellow you arev
"Holty-toity" said. And, pray,
miss, why am l lmpressionableT
"Well-(a pause)-"you seem to be
struck with every pretty face you
/ see"
"a mans privilege 4 interrupted.
"-and-and with every sentiment
al tale you hear"
"a sign Of my good-nature," l said.
"-sand l do believe, If we had not
been chums for so long, that could
make you fall in love with me now If
liked to try"
l Immediately became cautious. "You
have a pretty face, .Clarissa," I said,
"and l have no doubt that should
have fallen in love with you when we
first met If you had only told me n SEN
timental talel"
"Now, George" dmpatiently), '1et us
be serious. Are your feelings for me
really so cold that you would not mind
If l hirted with Mr.. Jones for a whole
evenlngp
Ten million Joneses would not move
me-" l answered.
"If that is the case" said Uarissa,
firmly, 1--WE will try an experiment
Let us drop our platonic friendship for
time, and l Will see If l cannot
arouse in you the green-eyed monster"
ITS quite impossible" l said. Il
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
am serious and you are so conceited
that you would think you are impervl-
Gus. However, l will see II cannot
succeed"
"Clarlssa, this is foollshness; It will
break up all our comraraderie. Be
sides "a happy thought. you know you
might fall in love with me-"
"ThereP' exclaimed Clarissa. clap
ping her hands, didn't say you We're
concelted? The idea is absurd"
"AbsurdT l sneered; every well, l
Will accept your challenge, but, mind
you, Clarissa, can hirt desperately,
and If l am making an Impression on
you VIII propose. What viii happen
then?"
Them Oh! nothing at all; we shall
just take Punch's advice and won't.
But, OF course, you will never screw
your courage up to :hat point"
Done with you'll" l cried; land you
will have to keep pretty wide-awake,
because l shall reserve the liberty of
flirting with other girls"
"Poohl l sha'n't care. Now, George.
please go, and give me time to think 1t
over We win commence our expert
ment tomorrow
As | went | chuckled to myself; what
time l would havei l would make
Clarlssa jealous and beat her at her
own game.
Next day called at Clarlssas house,
eager for the fray.
out? Didn't she think l was COM
ingFI.
"Oh, yen" they said, "she expected
you but left word that she was obllg-
ed to go out"
where has she gone tot"
They did not know. Oh. well, am
sure didn't care one little bit. Happy
thought would stroll down High
street and see II could not meet any
other girls l knew, ana perhaps Cla-
rissa might see me.
Saunterlng along I soon met Mabel
Carr and We went into the correction
er's to have Ices. Who should be sit.
ting there at a small table but Clarissa
, with Jonesl
Clarlssa nodded TO me, smiled, and
went on talking. l got the. wrong ice
for Mabel Care, and brought her q
ham sandwich Instead OF wafer. and
she said / was awfully slow that after
, noon. Clarlssa and Jones sat us out
! and Jones had such particularly
SNUG look on bis face as we left tbs