Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-06-10
Lu BrandOn'S
Conspiracy.
l@e-o-S-olSc5ocS

"How can you tolerate 1t, LuT' ex-
claimed Mrs. German. IF he Is my
brother, l say it is shame.' Then,
allowing her listener no time to re-
ply, the energetic little lady ratified
on: 81 suppose you and Clarence must
have an understanding, or you would
have discouraged him long ago. Here
has Sidney Lawrence been waiting and
serving for you no less patiently
than Jacob for Rachel, these seven
years and more, and yet my recreant
brother Is the favored one. Unless you
take him in hand soon your lilies ana
roses will wither, and even faithful
Sidney will come to worship at a
younger, fairer shrine. Everyone sup
poses that you and Clarence are en-
gagged, and yet he has never in so
many words made you an offer OF mar
riage. Now, while we know that he
considers you his betrothed, he does
not seem to realize the embarrassing
position in which this tedious court
ship places you, and should therefore
be brought to knowledge Of 1t or pun
ished for his delinquency
During the earlier portion of her
friends remarks smile lowered
around Lulu Brandon's lips, and she
continued her task Of cutting the leaves
of the last new ma agazine; but as the
final sentence was pronounced her face
flushed deeply.
MY private affairs need not concern
the public, Belle she replied, with
rignity. But l agree with you that
l have been too patient. l acknowl-
edge myself to be considerably at fault,
for / proved an easy conquest, and
Clarence may have grown lukewarm In
his affection, feeling so secure of mine.
OF course word or two from me and
might become wife within the next
twentyfour hours, but all such words
must come from my lord himself"
Her bright displeasure gone, with a
merry laugh she arose and linked her
arm in that of her friend, and leading
her to a cozy settee in one corner OF
the piazza, proceeded to formulate
plans by which she could bring her
lover to terms without his knowledge
of her conspiracy.
That evening, at tea, Mr.. Clarence
Curtis suddenly inquired:
"Been over to the Brandon's to-day,
BELIEF"
Yes, and, by the way, Clarence, Lu
requested me to tell you not to call this
evening, as she will be engaged"
"All right, SIS III go around to the
theater with Roberts,
There was a significant twinkle in
her eyes as Mrs. German rejoined:
Il hope you'll enjoy the play. The
Kendals are drawing large houses"
Two hours later Mr.. Clarence Curtis
was lefsurely scanning the crowded
theater, bowling to those he recognized
when, just previous to the rising Of the
"Why, as l live, there's Sid Law
renee! Who knew he had returned? I
wonder who the lady is Can it be
possible? It's Miss Brandon! l never
supposed she would accept any other
escort save yourself. What is it, Cur
It's, a lovers quarrel?'
Not to my knowledge. Then he
added, somewhat impatiently, Il am
no ogre. Lu has right to go where
and with whom she pleases."
In spite of the Indifferent manner
and careless tone, Roberts noted that
his theater-loving friend took far less
interest In the play than in the couple
who occupied one of the boxes nearly
opposite from where they were seated
Lu had surely never looked so eX-
Quisitely dainty and beautiful as to-
night. She seemed the embodiment Of
health, all aglow with happiness. Yet
the lovely face and graceful figure ir
ritated him by the very beauty Of
which he had always been proud. This
radiant piece OF flesh and blood did not
seem so exactly his property as for
merly. Was Ii because Sidney Law
renee was so attentive? They had been
children together, Sid and Lu, and he
knew she had always regarded the stu
dious, dlgnlfed boy and man as an
elder brother, while she gave the love
of her young heart to his comrade and
chum. How well he recalled the days,
years ago, when Sid had told him with
sad eyes and tremulous voice that Lulu
had rejected him. lie comforted him
as best he could. selfishly exulting In
the thought that he possessed her love
unasked. unsought. Strange that his