The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-07-23
Lu BrandOn's
Conspiracy.
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"How can you tolerate 1t, Lu| eX-
claimed Mrs. German. "If he Is my
brother, l say 1t Is shame!' Then,
allowing her listener no time to re-
ply, the energetic little lady ratified
on: II 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 liHes and
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 magazine; 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 | agree with you that
have been too patient. / 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
twenty-four hours, but all such words
must come from my lord himself"
Her bright dlspleasure gone with a
merry laugh she arose and linked her
arm In that Of her friend, and leading
her to 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,
Belle?"
"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 reIolned:
II hope you'll enjoy the play. The
Kendals are drawing large houses
Two hours later Mr. Clarence Curtis
was leisurely scanning the crowded
theater, bowling to those he recognized
when, just previous to the rising of the
curtain. his friend Roberts exclaimed /.
''Why, as live, there's Sid Law
rence Who knew he had returned? |
wonder who the lady is Can II be
possible2 It's Miss Brandon! l never
supposed she would accept any other
escort save yourself. What is It, Cur
It's, q lovers quarrel"
mot to my knowledge. Then no
added, somewhat impatiently, II 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-lovlng 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.
LII 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 fiesh and blood did not
seem 30 exactly his property as for
merly. Was IL because Sidney Law
renee was so attentlve2 They had been
children together, Sid and Lu, and he
knew she had always regarded the stu
dious dignitied boy aud 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 tlemulous voice that Lulu
had rejected hin, He comforted him
as best he could, selflshly exultlng In
the thought that he possessed her love
pnasked. unsought. Strange that his