Holbrook argus., 1909-04-13
The.BOx
 Of Tricks
By Owen Oliver
(Copyrig ght.)

and my brothers wife is not easy tC be angry with She looks like a grown-up baby, and she is so innocent and surprised when l point out her mistakes that I generally end by fancying myself the offending party Bob chuckles on these occasions. He calls her the box of tricks"
 There are limits, however, to my amiability, and possibly-I don't feel sure.-to my sister-inlaw's artfulness. When 1 found that she had inveigled me into a cruise in their yacht under entirely false preten: :es, l resolved that all her wiles should not save her from my severe displeasure when l could catch her alone.
 She eluded me, by attaching herself to her other guests until we had passed the lighthouse. Then the yacht became very lively, and the other guests disappeared in rapid succession except tall, goodlooking young lady in pince-nez. She seized Mrs. Bob by the arm and rushed her out on deck: and old Bob rubbed his hands glee. fully.
 The box of tricks is going to catch it this time,' he observed.
 She's going to catch it second time," l stated. and started in pursuit, with view to securing the next in nings
 I discovered the two ladies standing in the lee of the smoking room. They were arguing with such animation that they did not notice me.
 It's abominable,' the tall young lady protested Perfectly atrocious.'
 My sister-in law looked at her with simulated innocence.
 Tt is a little rouTh." she said, catch ing at the handrail, and shaking her pretty head at the grea. g"een waves that greeted us at the harbor mouth. "Oh-h-h!" She threw her hood over her head to fend off a shower of spray.
 q mean you," said the tall young lady, balancing herself like sailor. You know perfectly well that don't mind the weather"
 q think l dol" my naughty sister in-law confessed. "T'-the ship gave a lurch-"I'm sure do." She made a dart for the hatchway and disap- peared; white-faced, but smiling and unrepentant.
 Serves her right" the tall young lady muttered but her tone was less unfriendly than her words; and she laughed, unwillingly. Then she turned and saw me.
 She will not be able to introduce us for little while" I observed. 50 perhaps you will allow me? l have the misfortune to be her brother-in- law" l do not remember that l had ever introduced myself to a lady be- fore; but felt that I had a good ex- cuse in the rcumstances-and the lady.
 "Oh." she said, but surely you are not Prof Lorimer?" l am not old fer a professor" and look younger than my age.
 Unless l have lost my identity" l declared. "I gather that my bad little relative has kidnapped you, too?"
 The young lady smiled, slowly.
 T did not know that I had com panion in misfortune" she said. But of course it is consolation. think we have been associated before, in way. We had a long controversy in the Academical Record l am Marga- ret Fane."
 l stared at her like boor in my surprise. She was very unlike my idea of lady who had written a treatise on comic sections; and still more un- like my notion of an advocate of wom- ems rights and female suffrage the subjects upon which our controversy had taken place.
 You scarcely look the character" l confessed.