El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-08
The Herald's
Daily Short Stery
Just Like A Book

an expressive movement Of her snapely
hands. Indeed it is. It's more than
serious lists almost unbelievable.
You'll be Mortified when tell you, you
will indeed"
As the lawyer was accustomed to his
clients tendency to exaggeration he
simply showed the requisite amount Of
interest demanded by politeness.
Suppose you tell me what it 1s!'
he suggested.
1T is-James," and her voice became
tragic, II have had an offer of mar
riage!"
Still he sat calm and unmoved. As
he knew that she had received many
such offers it was scarcely likely that
one more or less would disturb him.
Besides, he was lawyer and he had
long ago mastered the art Of masking
his feelings
You don't seem surprised?"
We'll, you have had so many offers.
"But this is from-James you'd new
er guessI"
I'm sure I shouldn't
you wouldn't really. Think! 1t Is
from-from Dennis"
Then indeed his brows went up in
amazement. Surely she was joking
"Oh, it is the most awful tangle i'm
aginable" she went on. TT has ruined
all my plans Think of my poor darling
Effie. She simply adores him, and they
were made for each other"
You surprise me. indeed" he ad-
mitted. Dennis Why he has paid such
attention to Effie. Can there be come
mistake or misunderstanding?
"Ohl If I could think so, But you
shall read his letter.
Il have no right to do that" he said
quickly. Tell me, had you any reason
TO suppose he contemplated this step?"
Not until the RusselPs dance. He.
certainly did behave somewhat
strangely then, but I did not attach a
great deal OF Importance to it. 1t
seemed so absurd
He nodded
And Effie. does she know anything
about it?
Good gracious, no, She has gone to
spend a few days with the Pelhams. 1
don't expect her back until the end OF
the week"
'weH. there is really no need to tell
her. is there?'
NO, perhaps there isn't. Oh, it is
stupid of Dennisi 1 could shake him.
that I couldi" And her even white
teeth met in vindictive fashion and she
emphasized her words with an express
sive stamp.
James, Whatever am 10 90.
She turned TO him in tragic appeal,
her pretty mouth quivering. the tears
beneath the long lashes that
shaded her violet eyes.
At this moment she looked particu-
larly young and helpless, and James
Carr longed. as he had never done be-
fore to take her in his arms and COM
fort her.
1T certainly is a perplexing prob
lem" he said. And I cannot see how
you can expect an old fashioned lawyer
like myself to advise on the matter.
But you must help me. You must,
And you ought to know something
about such affairs. A lawyer ought to
know everything. James something
must be done. and it must be done at !
once-at oncei'
He did not answer. but his features |
showed that he was giving earnest !
thought to the matter
Cant you think OF anything?" she !
cried impatiently.
We'll. there is one way I could sug- |
gest."
What is it?"
Marry me?"
"Oh James,
Simple, yet effective, isn't itr'
Silly, you mean
Il can't agree with you. When Dem |
MS learns that you are to marry his |
uncle, he viii find himself in a ridicu- |
lous situation. Now, no young man
likes to appear ridiculous, and I am |
to bet you half dozen pairs |
Of gloves that he goes straight to Eff
lie and asks her to marry him.
Gertrude Ferrers, who was pacing |
The room restlessly, paused a moment, |
and drew herself up almost sternly.
You don't suppose I wish the poor
child to be sacrificed to your she de-
handed.
Not at all In a little while Dennis
would recover his senses and realize
that he had made a fool of himself
Then all would be well. At any rate it |
IS the only plan I can think of, and 1
nave every confidence in it. Will you
give it a trial?"
''oh, it is too-too extraordinary.
Can't you suggest something a. little
ess-well, desperate?"
IN afraid not. 1t is a situation that
demands a desperate remedy. Come,
Gertrude, you must agree to it have
been In love with you for the last 10
Tears, and shall only go on being a
nuisance to- you until you marry me"
You're certainly very frank" she
aughed.
Then you agreeT'
Agree! Oh. really. Why. dear me!
Surely that can't be Effie back al
'eady."
A moment later the door wa sopened
and Effie entered like a gust
# fresh March wind
Then it was that James Carr showed !
Iimself a man of decision. Before Mrs.
Nerrers could ask her niece for an ex-
lanation of her sudden return he step
'ed forward and took the girls hand.
Effie, you couldn't have come back
It better moment he said. Con
me- Your aunt has just prom
sed to be my wife"
And then before the astonished lady
ould take her breath the girl had
ushed forward and thrown her arms
round her neck
You dear, darling thing!" she cried
You can't think how glad I am And
ow you must both congratulate me,
or Dennis wants me to marry him,