Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-02-20
HOODWINKED.

you on being an heiress to the tune
of fifteen hundred pounds year."
Say, rather, 'condole with, she
added. But who told your"
"A little bird" l answered. "And
who told you?"
Evidently the same little bird"
"A very old bird, if you ask me-"
exclaimed, checking myself too late
to avoid one Of those sudden bushes
to which every dinner table is subject
A litter went round the company. Hor-
rors! There was helping of pleas
ant before me. / heard Mrs. Carruth
ers saying sweetly, Il am SO
sorry, Phil; try another piece"
vainly protested that l had not re-
ferred to the fowl, but being greeted
with cries of "Name! Name!" The
contretemps was very annoying-as
felt that l was now thoroughly in
Mrs. Caruthers' bad books, and al
though she did not know what we had
been talking about, still-such is the
effect of guilty conscience felt
sure she must think that / had re-
ferred to her. Miss Delayne also did
not seem over pleased at my innocent
indiscretion which had directed the
company's attention to her, and she
occupied herself with Captain Rodg-
ers, who was on her other side. ITe
was an old acquaintance of mine, one
of those generous, good-hearted sort
of fellows who is always stony broke,
and who will always step into the
breach to help friend.
had often told him that would one
day find him rich wife, but now that
| saw him talking with Miss Delayne
| did not feel so particularly keen
about my suggestion to Mrs. Carruth-
ers, as it happened to interfere with
brilliant plan which had just thought
of and which would dish Mrs. Carruth-
ers so nicely. recognized at once that
it would be difficult to put the case
too bluntly to Miss Delayne, so accord
ingly, when later in the evening |
found myself ensconced with her in the
conservatory, | proceeded to let her
unfold the plans l had thought out
over my cigar l little thought what
would happen in the same conserva-
tory in about three weeks time.
Mrs. Carruthers is a most enter
tanning hostess and an amiable wopl-
an, remarked, by way of preface,
and she has one set sin. But this
is the first time she applied her ener-
gies in my direction, although she has
known me ever since | was so high"
What are you going to do?" asked
Miss Delayne.
Rather ask, What are we going to
do?' ;" / said, not wishing to reply to
such delicate personal question: "It
all rests with you" | continued, add
ing quickly whether we are to dis
please her by avoiding each other or
deceive her by pretending to fall N
with her views"
Miss Delayne's eyes twinkled.
Mr.. Mellor, you forget that there
are other ways. | might, for instance.
pretend that | did not want your com
pany, while you could easily satisfy
Mrs. Carruthers by your actions that
you were doing your best to carry out
her schemes"
'Yes," l assented, not at all eagerly
vi, Sic touliuueu, yOu COuiu
leave suddenly tomorrow on urgent
private business"
quite So" I faltersd.
But it would be very selfish of me
to spoil your holiday here?"
Not at all,"I interrupted.
And rather like your second idea
In fact, it would be great fun, think,
for once"
That is just what thought" ex-
claimed.
I'VE could be lot in each others
company" she said
And especially when Mrs. Carruth-
ers is about" added
Il have expectations, and don't want
any man to marry me for them"
And l have money, but if | took a
wife she should only take me for my
merits
That is capital" she said Then
We are agreed in our views of life Let
us shake hands upon it."
We shook hands.
I'VE shall have great fun out of it,
said.
And be the best of friends she
added. Poor Mrs. Carruthers," she
laughed, and then a look of doubt
crossed her face. What shall we say
| to her if she puts the direct question
| to either or both of us when we
| leave?"
THAT is very simple" | answered.
1--WE need merely to say We found out
at the beginning that our views of life
| were similar, and that it was there
| fore no use our thinking of mar
| riage,'
"A neat epigram." she laughed
That evening when l said good night
to Mrs. Carruthers, she remarked play