Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-06-03
A PLOT FRUSTRATED.
By HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

tHR taR3s<Ssss ~ 49,
It locked like pretty illumina
ton, the French cottagc-window.
with the shaded lamp burning on the
centre-table aad the muslin curtain
blowing backward and forward in
the lllac-scented breezei and the tab
leau Of two young lovers sitting to-
gether on the sofa was prettier still.
Leslie Brown was a beautiful girl
OF seventeen, dark-browed and rose
Tipped, with a skin like the velvety
cream Of magnolia leaf, dark-gray
eyes and long. luxuriant hair coiled
In mass of heavy braids around her
head. Montagu Lacy was seven-and-
twenty, with Saxon features, curls OF
a deep, golden hue and silky brown
mustache twisting roguishly up at
the ends.
but l say, Leslie, you will answer
me Tomorrow" pleaded the young
man.
81 don't know. Mr.. Lacy--it's SO
sudden"
so is everything sudden in this
world"
Il don't know what mamma would
say" hesitated pretty Leslie.
Shall l take measures to ascer-
tain?" soiicitously asked Mr.. Monta-
gu Lacy.
Certainly not" Leslie answered
firmly. Il have not decided as yet
myself
Yes, but Leslie. it's confounded-
iy hard on a fellow"
Perhaps 1t is, perhaps 1t isn't.
You must go now, in any event"
Must II" Mr.. Lacy arose with
comical grimace. Tomorrow, them"
Il won't promise"
Then you are a cruel. hard
hearted girl, and that's all have to
say on the subject. However. shall
try my luck. whatever may befall."
And. bending lightly, he touched
his lips to the rosy dimples of her
fnger-joints as he went away.
Miss Henderson witnessed the
whole scene-heard all the words
spoken in the murmurous silence of
the summer twilight from her want
age-point behind the hedge of pink
blossomed American laurel. She bit
her lip, and, IL the tbaleful eye
could blast like the forked flash of
summer lightning, Leslie Brown
would have been at that instant smit-
ten to the ground.
you are so sure of him. my
young lady, are you?e said Miss Hen
derson to herself. "Just wait and
see. There may be two words to that
bargain
One instant Malvina Henderson
stood thinking. To let Pretty Leslie
Brown run away with the prize for
which she had schemed and plotted
SO long was entirely opposite to all
her long-conceiyed policy--and yet
Il have IT," said Malyina. to her
ssis "Yes, l have it. Nothing short
Of death or madness will part them.
and jealousy is species Of mad
ness"
Hurrying through the shrubbery,
already wet with dew, as swift and
noiseless as gliding wreath of white
mist. Miss Henderson met Montagu
Lacy at the front door. Just as he had
found his hat and lighted the cigar
which was to accompany him on his
long evening walk.
"Mr. Lacy--oh, please don't throw
away your cigar" she said, coaxingly,
and II fvina Henderson could assume
charmingly pleading air when she
chose, but I've walked SC fast ur
from the lodge. for fear you should
be gone-and I've such favor Ia
ask you"
"A favor, Miss Henderson,
There, now" said Malvina, with
sweet little laugh, Il knew you
would be surprised, but rememberl'
holding up taper finger. its pro
found secret"
'Oh, certainly"
We'll, it's leap-year, you know
and we girls are going to send Joe
Thorneycroft love letter-just fol
joke, you know-and we don't
know what on earth to write, and
and-won't you just give us the
rough draft of one for us to copy?"
'Ir'
Yes. you. You know you've reat
such lots of delightful English novels
and you can give US Just the right
idea.
Beg your pardon" said Mr.. Lacy
laughing, "but | think you youns
ladies need no suggestions.
Mr.. Lacy. you wont refuse?''
Refuse? No, not il | really car
be Of any use; but"
ALLOW US to be the-jwlge Of that,
cried Malyina, With gay imperious
ness, as she drew him into the lib.ar,
and reached fRr standish and rose
colored paper. "Now you must writ,
a genuine love e e--sS-.ass,
How shav ,lssg~ said Mr.
'ne ..nh lhpatl .siear Malv.