Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-07-12
ALTCIA'S EXPERIMENT.

and she had never received an offer of
marriage nor had lover. Her two
younger sisters were both happily
married-Gertrude to a young man
who had adored her from childhood
and Lottie to an elderly widower who
had fallen in love with her at her
coming-out party. Gertrude had re-
fused three offers before marrying
John Nelson; Lottie, who was born
coquette, had received homage from
almost every man she knew from the
time she could talk y
Alicia was serious and rather
naughty. Her friends called her lin
tellectual," and this same intellectu-
ality made her unpopular with men,
who were generally her interiors in
her chosen style of conversation, If
not in depth of thought. Until now
Alicia had affected to despise the
other sex. Lottie's 1irtations and
Gertrude's conquests had seemed friv-
olous to her. But she wished to be a
well-rounded woman and it suddenly
occurred to her that she knew nothing
Of love, although it was one of the
chief things of life. The fact that
she was different from other girls
anu their inferior in one respect was
brought home to her by a meditation
on love and matrimony which followed
the receipt of letter announcing the
engagement of the only unmarried one
of her classmates. To be sure, Alicia
was younger than the other girls, but
she had come out the same year.
ut is all very well not to marry
she said to herself in conclusion, "but
it is odd not to attract single
sutton. There must be something
lacking in me. ! have always known
that l didn't like men, but it is strange
that men don't like me. / can ac-
complish almost anything If | make up
my mind to it. / will have a lover.
need not marry him, Of course, but
will have him desperately in love with
me, so that shall have an impas-
stoned offer; then | will refuse him.
Alicia cast about her male acquaint-
ances with a view to selecting a suit
able man for her experiment. Finally
she chose Reggy De Greve. Reggy was
a year younger than Alicia. He was
as frivolous as any girl and decidedly
effeminate in his looks and ways. He
had been one of Lottie's numerous
admirers, in an impassive way, but he
had never gotten up courage to pro-
pose to her. He had not been sure
that he wanted to do SO. Now he
came to the house rather because he
was used to coming to see "the ladies'"
once in so often. Alices mother was
fond of him, for she had known him
since he was in dresses and she re-
garded him as boy. OF Alicia he
stood somewhat in awe.
"Reggy will be good one to begin
with" thought that young woman.
He will be easy to influence. After
have refused him I can try some one
more difficult"
Thus Miss Wellington began her
career as fiirt. That evening Reggy
came to the house. He found Alicia
wonderfully interesting She talked
about cotillon figures, pretty girls,
Judges. and golf. Reginald was in de-
mand as a cotillon leader, he was
chevalier des danes, an expert chatting
dish cook, and an aspiring golf player.
"Gwacious, | never thought she
knew so much" he said to himself as
he left the house. But this was only
because Alicia had displayed knowl-
edge Of the subjects with which Reggy
was conversant, for he had always
known that she was intellectual"
It was scarcely a week before Reggy
again presented himself at the Well
ingtons. He asked for Miss yelling
ton instead OF for "the ladies'" He
was unconscious OF the neglect Of Mrs.
Wellington, but wary Alicia smiled
when she, alone, was summoned to the
drawingAroom.
20, Mr.. De Greve," she said
she had called him Reggy-
Il am so glad to see you. know you
can help me solve something that has
been worrying my poor brain
She took a seat beside the young
man and submitted the something
that had been worrying her. 1t was
only a charade, an intricate one, how
ever. to which Alicia knew the an
swer. Reggy did not suspect that and
he was good at puzzles. He solved this
one easily and explained the elaborate
process to Miss Wellington.