The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-16
LADY MARY'S STRATAGEM,

growing into friendship-and, oh my dear,
he is such a splendid man. not physical
ly perhaps. though he is very good look
| ing in a quiet way. but he has large.
luminous mind. lie is full of great ideas.
and yet simple and unaffected. and his
nature is as kindly and uIseltlsh as pos
sible
But l don't suppose it is that. There's
something else which / do not understand
that causes him to fiji my waking and
sleeping thoughts. and it's hopeless. l
know it's hopeless. Probably he never
would have looked upon NE under any
circumstances as more than mere friend.
but even his friendship would have been
very sweet as wei as very bitter.
Il feel that the other girls i'll the house
and their mothers have been telling tales
against me-exaggerated tales OF little
folliss. and. although probably he believ
es little, l can tell that something has
crept between Us and that. perhaps not
knowingly, he believes l am merely
schemer. Why can't something happen
to show the falsehood OF that? To think
that if / were only rich lie would know
that 1 am sincere! L can't write any
more, dear. The last few nights l haven't
slept, and am becoming wreck. j must
get away. For the moment l feel more
tranquil, since he's away in London, but
| have a sort of duty to myself to pre-
vent myself from suffering needlessly, 50
III come, if l may, and help to tend your
poor and sick people, and be Thankful! that
in working for the happiness of others
there is hope l may forge; my own MIS-
cry. Your UNHAPPY old friend. MARY"
Mary dropped one or two real tears over
the letter-she was very sorry for her
self and far from confident about her
plans; then she carefully put the first
sheet of the long letter into an envelope
and addressed it to Miss Charlotte
Claireville. 3. William Street, BethGal
Green" and she took the rest of the let
ter: and also the letter to Sir Robert. and
put them together into an envelope, which
she addressed to him at his club. After
this she put on her frock. did up her hair.
sponged her eyes with cold water, put
little drop of cocaine in the corner of
each eyelid, went downstairs. put the two
letters in the post bag, and ate big
lunch
On his return to the Lechiades' Sir Rob-
ert Black found Lady Mary sitting under
tree in the garden looking very pictur-
esque. She was dressed to perfection.
Her checks flushed when he came toward
her. He did not guess that this was in
consequence of guilt. Sir Robert did not
take her hand: his manner showed great
embarrassment.
Lady Mary" he said speaking with DIFF
ficulty .ycu have done clumsy and an
ungentlemanly thing"
What Is it, she asked.
In your letter to me, by accident you
enclosed part of a letter written to some
one else"
She gave little cry. most artistic lit
tie cry, and guilt flushed her cheeks again
most becomingly; he did not ascribe the
blush to guilt.
.,Oh. give it me-give it mel" she called
out. Give it back, You haven't?-"
She paused. ...
He fumbled in his breast pocket. His
powerful well-cut face changed rapidly
from white 10 red and from red to white.
Il must tell you the truth" he said. Il
read part OF it innocently. l was puzzled.
but there was nothing to tell me was act
ing wrongly When / discovered the Sc
cret tried to stop, but something. 10 my
shame. forced me TO go on reading. II
was an unmenly thing to do; it was the
meanest act of my life.
He drew the letter out OF his pocket and
held it with trembling fingers Lady Mary
showed very violent emotion-real, homes:
emotion; she was at the great moment of
her life and had not the least idea what
was going to happen.
Give me my letter." she said. in bro
ken voice. Il know 1 can trust in your
honor, Sir Robert
In my honor. after having acted so dis
honorably?"
Il am sure she replied, you were so
taken by surprise as to be acting half I'M
consciously Give me my letter."
The girl looked beautiful; the shadow of
the tree softened the lines of her face.
her eyes were flashing with excitement,
her checks burld.
81 will give you your letter only on enc
condition" he answered.
"A condition.
Yes, that you give me the writer"
Sh9 uttered q little cry, then was dumb.
ard turned pale.
And if you give me the writer he
continued, Il may as well keep the letter,
which viii be my creates treasure save
one" He put the letter TO his lips and
then stretched out his hand toward her.
Lady Mary Black, no doubt, caught her
husband by a trick. but he has an intelli-
gent, loving woman as wife, and she de-
votes her brains and her heart to the task
of making the politician prosperous and |
the man happy.-From The Sketch.