The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-30
Conspirl,1g LDith Cupid
BY EPES W. SARGENT

There were the usual tests Of suspend
ed apples, floating apples, popping chest
nuts and mirrors. Finally, with great
glee, Miss Anabel brought out the two
tapers.
Here's test for Mabel Howard" she
announced ingenuously, for, as mistress
of ceremony, she had seen to it that Mabel
had taken no prominent part in the earl
Ter tests. "This," she said, as she placed
the candle on the table, II shall name
Charles and this" producing the one
with the quicker wick-'well, suppose we
name it Frank"
Mabel blushed redly at this very pointed
allusion, and half started up as though
she would leave the room. Caswell laid
a OBTAINING hand gently upon her arm.
'Don't,' he whispered. "She means
we'll and to leave now would only serve
to make a bad matter very much worse"
Mabel sank back in her seat, but pres.
emily all were crowded around the table
where the two candles were burning
but the spirit Of the hour was upon him
and he noted with some concern that
his candle was burning away much faster
than the other. Miss Anabel noted with
pride the approaching success of her ex-
pedient, and, her gentle heart throbbing,
she lowered over the candles.
Caswells candle was now within half
an inch Of the candlestick, while fully two
inches of Schermerhorn's remained. Sud-
denly a gust of cold air blew in from
a window that had just been raised and
a moment later some one opened the door
in the hall to admit a gust Of Icy air, and
the flames f1ickered perilously. With q
shrek Miss Anabel rushed to close the
window, but as tn eheavy sash dropled
with a bang, an excited clamor arose
at the table and she heard with sudden
oofj oP ha hoe y-f loy1e
ingly announce "Caswell Wins!''
She made her way to the table, and
there, still burning brightly. but almost
consumed, was the candle she tad nana:l
for Frank, while a smoking wick crowned
full inch Of wax on the other.
In an instant babel of talk arose, and
under cover of the excitement poor Miss
Anabel stole over to the window seat to
get the better of her disaprointr ent.
The quartet whose love affairs were
shaking gossipy little Branscome to Its
very founda tons walked home slowly in
the autumn moonlight. Caswel bent
fondly above Mabers dropping head.
Il have a confession to make" he said.
1T may not have been quite fail. bus
when that draft came I shielded my
! candle
| Mabel laughed nervously, and her voice
was low and uncertain.
IL guess I wasn't quite fair either,
but don't want dear Miss Anabel marry
| ing me off according to her yellow backed
| novels, and-and I blew out Charles
candle"
A deep chucl<le interrupted their mutual
confessions. Schermerhorn's rich, whole
| some tones announced:
LET the good work go on. When saw
things were going against you, Frank,
| opened the window, hoping to blow OUT
both candles and stop the nonsense en-
| tirely'
"And l." chirned in Grace Payne. laugh
ing-"well, opened the door to help on
the draft. 1t wouldn't do to let the Hal
loween sprites confirm the decision OF
Branscome in pairing us off: Poor Miss
Anabel. And I believe she did 1t all Oh
purpose
"Never mind" said Schermerhorn cheer
| ily. ''She shall be bridesmaid or maid OF
honor or anything you girls like when the
weddings come off, for, really, she brought
matters to climax
And he patted Grace's little hand, snug
Cling against his great arna, while Frank
| Caswell and Mabel disappeared Within the
| portals of the Howard home.