The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1905-02-01
Tins Tactics
By CECILIA A. LOIZEAUX
Copyright, 1901, by Cecilia \. Loizeaux

1t all began when Mr.. Jones' Brown
brought Tim home one evening and
laid the dog in the open arms of his
pretty wife. She received him enthusi.
pstically and bought him an elaborate
collar. He was Il cute dog. Even Mrs.
Robinson Smith. who liNed next door
and hated dogs, admitted that-that is,
she said he wasn't bad Tor monsrel
And 1t must be admitted right here
that the dog wasn't of any particular
breed; he was just dog.
lie was soon in high favor In the
neighborhood. especially with the Rob
inson-Smiths, who Wee intimate
friends of the Jones' Browns Both cou-
pies were newly married, and during
the day while their husbands were In
the city the young wives sewed, talked
and called together,
But TO come back TO the dog. In time
he passed the stage of puppy fireworks
and was old enough to know better.
Then Mrs. Jones Browns sister came
week Mrs Robinson Smith had card
from her nephew that he was coming
down to spend II month with her. He
was nearly as old as his aunt, who adj
mitted that he was called :, catch In
town
The expected guests arrived almost
simultaneously lIerriot with
large trunk and Jack Marvin with dl-
yers battered suit cases. They We're
duly ensconced with their respective
relatives, aud then the trouble began.
On the second evening Mr.. and Mrs.
RobinsonSmit trailed their nephew
across the lawn to call on their nearest
neighbor. The two young people We're
introduced Ethel, rs Mrs. Jones
Brown afterward said. WAS unnecessa-
rlly embarrassed for n girl who had
been three seasons "out"
In the horribly Irritating way Of
young married people the neighborly
quartet Immediately began t. talk of
domestic affairs, leaving Jack and Eth
el to take care of themselves They did
not notice that there was 4 awful 81
lence, during which Ethel was threat
ened with mental hysters and WIS
saved only by Tim. the thou htful, who
opportunely appeared and jumped into
her lap. She began to talk To him, and
the day was saved temporarily. Stln
patting the dog Ethel finally said to
the man:
"Why did you follow me out here?"
81 didn't follow you" said Jack
Iy I
were In this neck of WOODS you don't
suppose I'd have disturbed it, do your
Then he added, why did YOU come to
stay next door to my auntf
How was l to know you had an
aunt out here" Ethel asked indlg-
nantly.
well" said Jack, II guess were
over that"
Then there was another silence. Tim
jumped down from Ethels lap and
leaped into Jacks. Jack grlnned.
Mice doggiew he chuckled, petting
him effusively. Ethel knew he hatel
small dogs. She tried to think of some
thing crushing to say, but before the
words came Mr.. and Mrs Robinson
Smith rose and said good night, and
their dutiful nephew rose with them.
lie put out his hand, ana Ethel was
forced to let hers touch II for au in
slant, while he said:
80 glad I've met you, IS IIerrlot
It's awfully jolly that We know so
many of the same people
Ethel smiled, though Lc eyes were
blazing wrathfully
isn't it?" she said. Coco night"
When Mrs Jones' Brown turned to
speak to her sister she found the girls
chair empty and moment nt,cr heard
her ascending the stairs.
Late that night Ethel rose, lit the
lamp and took from her trunk n pack
age of letters, which she Sat down to
read. Long before she had finished
them she was crying softly and when
she did go to bed again II was to lie
wide eyed and staring till nearly morn
Ing. She was awakened by Tim, who
was licking her hand. She pattcd his
head.
Naughty Tint Did the mlssus let
you inT
Rising on her elbow, she saw that
the door was aJar and supposed that
her sister had sent the do. to wake
her.
Tim seemed full of spirits of puppy
hood this morning. He would worry
the bedclothes with his teeth, dash
wildly across the room to Itch some
unseen thing and then rush back upon
her, frantic with delight
Ethel lay staring at the ceiling. Her
head achcd, and she felt utterly mlser-
able. She wondered how she could get
away from her sisters house and that
man next door Tim, finding himself
unmatched, worried awhile at some
thing he found on the floor beneath the
table. then took 1t In his mouth and ran
Off with 1t.
"If he only wasn't SO glad" thought
the girl referring to the man. not the
dog. "He shows so plainly that he's
glad It's off,
Before she got up she determined to
show Jack that he wasn't the only one
who didn't care. She would treat him
as stranger and she would hIrt with
him, too. and make him sorry. She de-
scended the stairs. explained that her
pale face was due to nervous head
ache for which she would try a long
walk. and departed In n smart blue
skirt and white shirt waist and very
pretty slippers.
During this walk 1t was lier intention
to map out her campaiga, aud her
thoughts were busy as Sc strolled
along. Finally she climbed II high bank
by the roadside, walked along the
grassy ledge for awhile ana then sat
down on the brink of an Old stone quar-
.ry. She was swinging her small French
heels and throwing stones into the blue
water far beneath when somebody be-
hind her whistled we'll known strain.
She answered before she thought and
then started, almost losing her balance.
and clutehed at the bank to save her
self. Her face was hot, ami she felt
some one seize her from behind, for 1t
had all happened too quickly for her to