Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-12

Alicia cast about her male acquaint-
ances with 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
etfemlnate 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 comins to see the ladies'"
once in so often. Alice'S mother was
fond Of him, for she had known him
since he was in dresses and she re-
garded him as a boy. Of Alicia he
stood somewhat in awe.
"Reggy will be a good one to begin
WITH thought that young woman.
He will be easy to influence. After I
have refused him I can try some one
more difficult"
thus Miss Wellington began her
career as flirt. 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 cotillon leader he was a
chevalier des danes, an expert chatting
dish cook, and an aspiring golf player.
"GWacious, I 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"
1t 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
drawing-room.
20, Mr.. De Greye," she said
heretofore 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.
Thank you, Mr.. De Greve, you are
SO clever" said Alicia, exactly as she
had heard Lottie say the same words
to different men at least a hundred
times.
That evening as Reggy went away
his predominant thought was She
thinks me clever"
In the course of time Alicia con-
WINGED Reggy that she was uncom-
monty pretty, agreeable, not too wise,
and altogether charming-just the wo-
man to preside over his house and
help him spend his rather large
patrimony. She also convinced him
that he was good-looking, clever, wit
ty, and manly. Indeed, under the sun
of her approval he grew wonderfully
until he was quite a different Reggy.
At last the schemed for proposal
took place. Satisfied with himself
and much more than satisfied with the
accomplished Alicia, Reggy asked her
to be his wife. Alicia foresaw the
coming offer, of course. She made
ready to refuse it. She even chose her
next victim, William Giles, a lawyer
Of skill and renown. He would be diff
fcult to enthrall, but foeman worthy
of her steel.
But she did not think of William
when Reggy proposed. She watched
the boy" as she called him in her
heart, with a curious pride. How we'll
he does it," she thought. Love has
made a man of him. He is desperately
in earnest; he is charming-he Is
adorable"
Why, Reggy," she said aloud, to
her own establishment, Il believe do
love you. Yes, will marry you, after
all-yes, yes I will"
The happy Reggy did not notice the
peculiar wording Of Alicia's acceptance
of his heart and fortune He had won
her and his joy seemed complete. No,
one but his wife ever knew that he
had been the subject of an experiment.