The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-21
The Result of a Ruse
BY c. NJ. ENGLAND.

i
BY c. NJ ENGLAND
copyright 1910, by Associated Literary Press)
Yes. it is rather warm"
Lillian Bentley answered her partner mechanically
as she sank into chair after their dance. 1t had
pee, peen tne hfth waltz and so far Paul Ormstead
come to her first and claimed as many dances as she
would give him. but tonight. for some reason he
and her gaze wandered across the room to where he
stood with Leah Eicott his fair head bent above
aeepr glowing eyes, raised to his. Her heart con-
ss painfully Was he angry with her? She
the play with him the following Friday only be-
cause Tom Saunders. her partner the last dance.
Trend very old friend and nften~cauaa- dine
ana spend the evening with her; for reason
invitation when she told him tho cause. How could
ne be so unkind-so stupid! She stirred restlessy.
and rose.
Lillian he satd. won't you come outside for a
rev minutes! You are pale and the air will do you
good"
She assented lisessy and they passed out into IN.
warm spring night and wandered slowly down the
You must put on your scarf, dear" he said. .Th.
night Is warm, but 1t won't do to risk anything"
Taking 1t from her. ne draped 1t gently over her
mead ana shoulders. then with sudden movement
TOOK both her hands and crushed them between hts
own.
"Lillian-dear" he whispered, with a break in bfs
nsr eyes grew startled. She drew back.
Why Tom. what is it? What do you"
that love you-have always loved YOU Z? Lillian
Tom. stop! You mustn't did not know-how
could II 1 never dreamed
Hts face grew white Wait. Lillian" he pleaded
II don't want you Il now I have taken
you by surprise--I know only too well what YOU
would say But please wait-wat TIL Friday night
do just that thing for me- Wait and tell
me then VIII you promise ?"
i will promise, but
Then that is all 1 want. Come now: we will 90
AS they walked back along the path Pau, orm-
SteaQ strolled toward them, held casually
tween his fingers Lillian thought he looked at her
strangely as they passed. almost. she thought. with
a flash of resentment, suspicousiy.
II m tired Tom, she said, Il believe I'll go home
VIII you find my brother for me-"
The remainder of the week passed. feverishly for
Lillian who dreaded the coming of Friday. when
she must hurt Tom dreadfully She had never
dreamed of such thing thought of loving him
how could she when her heart filled with an
1T make difference? would he cease to be her
friend? Somehow she couldn't bear the thought Of
that
Friday afternoon. as she sat upstairs in her room
looking out over the warm spring landscape the maid
brought her card.
MI Paul ormstead.'
Her heart beat tumutuously What could he
Her heart beat unanimously. What could he have
come for now? She had not him since the night
OF the dance and she was very angry with him. She
Very well. Annette" she said, finally 'rIi be
When she came into the room Paul ormstead me.
her with assured smile. II just ran in" he told
to- night" '>
Changed my mind?" she repeated coldly Ger
He seemed nonplussed
Now. don't be angry. Lillian" he protested. .I
thought maybe you would decide to let Saunders
some other night and with me-
DO you suppose, she asked with increasing hau-
teur. that even If Tom had disappointed me would
consent to with you, after--the other night"
oh that! He laughed compacently II
you would me put out about Leah. But couldn't you
see. dear. that only did it TO make you jealous.
"Jeaious." An angry light stole into her eyes.
"Why-er-yes." he stumbled. less assuredly now
You know girls never do know their minds tin
somethins hike that opens their eyes If they think
they're losing a chap why, then"
And so you believed that when thought was
cost and accept your invitation? Lilan's voice was
dangerously soft.
Paul ormstead fidgeted uncomfortably. "oh come
now. Lillian. don't be hard on chap. There's
harm in little like that. Lots of fellows do n
And, honestly ou've no idea how hard 1t to keep
away from YOU why, when saw
the garden with that Saunders chap l just couldn't
stand IT. followed along to make sure he wasn't
you know was thinking of you, IL L didn't ap-
pear to be-"
Lillian rose and there was no effort now 10 CON-
cea the scorn and anger in her voice
MIR. Armstead,- said. II have never really
known you until to-day. and must confess that
acquaintanceshp is which / have no desire to
prolong And she turned and left him.
From her window she watched him stride angrily
announcer form swung into view. coming the road
toward the house. 1t Tom dear Tom for whom
she cared very much. but whom she must hurt.
Must she hurt him? AS she thought of Paul
the contract-Toms big. warm, generous nature =
strange sweet emotion surged through her heart,
Suddenly her head dropped her arms She buried
her face deep. revealing just the tip OF very pink
ear.
"oh. what little fool I've BEEN" she murmured.
What a stupid little-fool"
A Breathing Tree
The conversation turned to hunting when The An
Gent Carpenter entered the Curbstone headauarters
whereat that worthy member pricked up his ears.
perenas reminds re- me- ne started of hunting
great coon hunter One day while he in the woods