Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-10-02
JOAN'S EXPERIENCE
How Her Sister Was Caught
In the Trap Che Had Lad
Nor I0au. Z. II Il e II e

II
\ How Her Sister Was Caught !
In the Trap Che HaA Lad
For Joan. ): {" 81 /. " !" 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ruth. Ruth. It's Important; want
YOU from the farther side Of my
door.
I had resolved to devote the morn
ing to study. but mother being on
the continent, ! felt Q certain Ne
sponsibility for my beautiful younger
sister. The important" decided me.
what II TIP I asked - she en-
tered the room.
you'll never guess. Lord Avon
mouth has proposed"
But you haven't accepted himr !
asked, fearful that inexperienced Joan
should trust her life to the man with
the worst reputation In the country.
why notr
"You don't know anything about
him."
Don't II Hes the most charming
man I ever met and I certainly said
yes"
"what will mother sayY I asked,
a. Joan, not at all discounted at my
cool reception Of her news, left my
room, humming the refrain Of q song.
Perplexed with the situation that
had suddenly arisen, went down
stairs to find our old friend and neigh
Dor. Jack villiers, Of whose presence
the exlgencies Of the diplomatic serv-
Ice, to which he belonged. would soon
deprive us. I told him Of my troubieA
and ended by asking his advice.
Ten minutes later be said:
"This IL my idea: Joan In impress
sionable. have an old friend In town
who has q rare knack Of fascinating
girls. I'll get him down for q weeks
shoot. II he devotes his time To Joan
II may destroy her inclination for
Avonmouth."
The plan seemed feasible. ! prayed
that Joans affections would be divert
ed from their Objectionable object
Two days later I 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 were the only
occupants Of the drawing room.
LET me introduce you TO my old
friend. Claude Lakewood" said Jack.
I gave my hand mechanically. Ny
thoughts were concerned with Joan's
future.
Later noticed that he had 6ne eyes
and there was plenty Of him. but all
the same was disappointed Perhaps
I expected too much.
Soon Lord Avonmouth and Joan
strolled In from the garden. and, after
the usual commonplace. 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 Q red rose at
her waist. showed OF TO advantage
her rich young beauty.
After lunch. while Joan and awaited
the men In the rose garden. I was
strangely silent. had only thought
for Jacks friend.
When the men had been with u
some few minutes Jack Unanswered 30
that Captain Blackwood and Joan
strolled OF to inspect some ruins 1t
the farther end Of the park.
well contrived." whispered Jack ~
they disappeared from our sight
"well contrived." echoed absently.
The next morning we assembled for
q ride previously arranged. Jack
again managed that Captain Black.
wood accompanied Joan.
Though the knowledge that he left
my side reluctantly gave me Intense
secret pleasure. found myself sur
rendering to desire for isolation. and
soon was alone with the softly whis-
pering trees. Their sadness had never
seemed 80 attuned to my mood before.
Horses hoofs. q beating Of my heart,
and Jacks friend drew rein beside me.
The whispering Of the trees was 20
beautiful wondered had not noticed
II before.
He did not speak. summoned cour-
age to glance at his face-only for .
moment.
81 think we had better fnd the
Others" I said. II want to speak to
Jack"
"Have I 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 you wanted me-"
II want him to give all his time to
Joan. Have you forgotten our com.
pactY
He was 20 confused that l said to
him. whats the matter" Then. a.
be did not answer. surely you can
tell me-" said.
~ love Joan. have always loved her.
and you know It's hopeless, hopeless
hopeless"
! did not contradict him.
A week passed, and Captain Black.
wood. happily, was still among us. Our
scheme, as far as Joan was concerned,
had answered admirably. She had
been 50 distant to Lord Avonmouth
that he had betaken myself to Paris.
But had saved Joan by compromising
my LIES happiness. I loved Captain
Blackwood. and l feared with great
fear the day on which he would take
his imminent departure.
While he was near could be almost
happy. But knew the blackness that
would supervene when he had gone.
He stood before me. could not look
at him.
RUTH!
"Goodbyw I whispered.
"Not goodby. never goodby."
-lrH n