Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1900-09-20
JOAN'S EXPERIENCE
How Her Sister Was Caught
In the Trap She Had Laid
For Joan. !: :: :: :: J: ::


Ruth, Ruth. lis Important; | want
YOU from the farther side OF my
door.
| had resolved to devote the morn.
ing To study, but. mother being ON
the continent. | felt certain re.
sponsbility for my beautiful younger
sister The important" decided me.
What Is ltY' ! asked as she en-
tered the room.
You'll never guess. Lord Avon
mouth has proposed"
But you haven't accepted hlm!" /
asked. fearful that inexperienced Joan
should trust her life TO the man with
the worst reputation In the country.
"Why not:'
"You don't know anything about
him"
Don't ~ He's the most charming
man | ever met. and ! certainly said
yes"
What viii mother say" | asked,
as Joan, not at all discounted at my
cool reception of her news. left my
room, hummlng the refrain OF u song.
Perpiexed with the situation that
had suddenly arisen. ! went down
stairs 10 find our old friend and neigh
Dor. Jack Vllllers, of whose presenc.
the exigencies Of the diplomatic serv
Ice To which he belonged, would soon
deprive us told him OF my troubles
and ended by asking his advice,
fuf la.
This is my idea: Joan Is impress
sionable. have an old friend In town
who has a rare knack OF Fascinating
girls III get him down for weeks
shoot. II he deyotes his time TO Joan
II may destroy her inclination for
Avonmouth."
The plan seemed feasible. prayed
that Joan's affections would be divert
ed from their Objectionable object.
Two days later | received note
from Jack saying that his friend had
accepted the invitation and was com.
Ing today.
When | descended about luncheon
time Jack and his friend We're the only
occupants of the drawing room.
LET me introduce you TO my old
friend, Claude Blackwood.' said Jack.
gave my hand mechanically. My
thoughts were concerned with Joan's
future.
Later noticed that he had fine eyes
and there was plenty of him. but all
the same ! was disappointed. Perhaps
| expected too much.
Soon Lord Ayonmouth aud Joan
stroled In from the garden. and, after
the usual commonplaces. we went In
to luncheon Before half an hour had
passed discovered that Captain
Blackwood fascinated me and TO such
an extent that | almost forgot my
fears with regard to Joan. She. too.
seemed Interested. Her white muslin
dress, decorated with n red rose at
her waist. showed Off to advantage
her rich young beauty.
After lunch. while Joan and awaited
the men In the rose garden, | was
strangely sl-At. had only thought
for Jacks friend.
When the men had been with us
some few minutes Jack Unanswered so
that Captain Blackwood and Joan
strolled off TO inspect some ruins al
the farther end OF the park.
"well contrived." whispered Jack as
they disappeared from our sight.
"Well contrlsed." echoed absently.
The next morning we assembled for
ride previously arranged Jack
again managed that Captain Black
wood accompanied Joan.
Though the knowledge that he left
nv side reluctantly gave me Intense
secret pleasure, | found myself sur
rendering TO desire for isolation. and
soon was alone with the softly wh's-
perIng trees. Their sadness had never
seemed so attuned to my mood before.
Horses hoofs. IA beatlng of my heart.
and Jacks friend drew rein beside me.
The whispering Of the trees was 10
beautiful wondered had not noticed
1t before.
He did not speak summoned cour'
age to glance ut his face only for a
moment.
~ think we had better find the
Others" | said. 81 want TO speak to
Jack"
"Have offended your
He never knew the effort II cost me
to curb his ardor when he reminded
me of my self imposed duty to Joan.
Ten minutes later Jack was beside
me.
"Blackwood said yon wanted me-.
ar q nj IN
Joan. Have you forgotten our com
pacty
He was SO confused that l said to