The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-03-03

Il certainly am in a devil Of a fix"
remarked James Easley, better known
as Jimmy, lounging in an easy chair
In his bachelor apartments and ad-
dressing a bulldog for want Of a bet
ter confidant. Think of a lover here
in the twentieth century anxious to
wed the girl Of his choice yet unable
even to see her because an obdurate
father has the dutiful daughter secure
ly guarded in country house. And
what is worse, the announcement has
been made Of her engagement to some
foreign fellow whose father happens
to have had a title. Bess doesn't want
to marry Count Bolensh and ! don't
blame her, but Just how to prevent
the match and assume the role Of
bridegroom myself, an arrangement
mutually agreeable, is more than !
can figure out just now"
Whopper, this being the name to
which the canine answered, barked
sympathetically and squared himself
as if to show what he would do to the
count if given an opportunity. Some
thing in the pose of the dog suggested
an idea to Easley. True, the thought
was only in an embryonic state but
there was possibility of elaboration.
"I1l do it, Whopper, and you will
have a chance to play the star part,
announced Jimmy as he knocked the
ashes from his pipe and prepared to
leave the room.
Madge Whitworth and he always
had been friends and it was to her he
hurried that he might enlist her aid in
perfecting and carrying out his
scheme. From the time that the two
were playmates in childhood they had
looked to each other for assistance in
tight places, and it was natural that
he should go to her now for counsel in
solving the most vital problem he had
ever faced.
Intuitively, it seemed, the woman
felt that something out of the ordinary
had brought Easley to her house so
early in the day, for it was hardly
nine o'clock Without waiting to
complete her toilet she hurried into
the reception room. She understood
the situation and knew, with the we'd
ding of Bess Almond to Count Bo-
lenski set for no distant date, there
was need of immediate action. Just
what was to be done she did not know,
but she would do her part, whatever it
might be, and gladly, too.
For nearly an hour they sat on the
big window seat and discussed jim
my's scheme. Whatever the plan was,
both young persons certainly regard
ed it as excellent, for frequently the
silvery laugh of the girl and the bass
of the man rang out together, fully at
testing their confidence of ultimate
success. And the interview had been
so encouraging to Easley that he was
smiling the old smile that had made
him famous in college, when he left !
the house. Apparently the weight of |
recent worry was lifted from his mind |
Immediately after his departure
Madge hurried to the telephone and |
called for the country home of Jonas
Almond. Her request that she be per-
mitted to speak with Miss Almond, |
who in truth was allowed little more
liberty than the inmate of a jail, at |
first met with fiat refusal; but per
severance had its reward and finally
the fair prisoners hello" sounded |
over the wire. Madge cautioned Bess
to say nothing that would indicate |
what was being told her, but to listen |
and remember. They talked for sew |
eral minutes. Smiling at the surprise |
her message must have caused the
girl at the other end of the line
Madge finally hung up the receiver
without waiting for a reply. Then |
started to her room.
1T will be hard on the count" was
her spoken thought. But Jimmy de- |
serves that girl, and she loves him"
The following afternoon precisely at |
three o'clock a closed carriage was |
driven up the avenue of tall naples |
which led from the public road to the |
home in the very center of |
Shady Grove, the Almonds country |
estate. No sooner had the vehicle |
stopped than woman, closely veiled, |
and walked briskly up the
broad steps as if bent on business of |
the utmost Importance. Speaking |
rapidly to the butler who appeared at |
the door in response to her ring, she
was shown into the hallway and, a
later, maid reported to Miss |
Armond that the modiste for whom
she had sent, desired to see her
Laughingly bewailing the fact that
she was constantly at the mercy of
those who designed her clothes, the
young woman instructed tn maid to
bring the caller to her room immedi-
ately.