El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-08
Chapter I.
(By John w. sIayaII.)


= thorpe remark ed, half an hour aftel
Effie Farringdnn had promised to mar
ry him. It don't think they'll be sur
prised," he added, smiling.
We'll, just at present they're not tc
know a word about it," Effie returned
in the decided fashion of one whose
mind is made up. You're not to tel
a soul"
Her lover looked at her in surprise
As there was no apparent reason why
their engagement should be kept Sc
cret, his surprise was excusable. Den
mis- knew that his wooing of Mrs Fer
rers's pretty niece had the approval OF
that lady herself and his own guardian
and uncle, James Carr.
The betrothal, in fact, was satiSfac-
tory in every reSpect-yet Effie wished
it to be a secret
Hence his surprise.
Dennis, 1 want to talk to you very
seriously" she continued, in a voice
that was full of earnestness.
You're dear, good boy. and I'm
very glad you've said what-what you
have done tonight. It clears the way
for scehme I've had in my mind for
some time, but can't carry it out
without your help"
Still here lover looked at her in a
puzzled way. Clever though he was in
solving knotty problems of the law, he
found himself mystiffed by her words.
'Of course you can rely upon me,
you know, Effie,f he said.
You're dear. I knew I could, but
it is such a .very-well. delicate mat
ter. hardly know how I'm to explain
it"
Her brow was wrinkled in perplex-
ity. She was pretty girl, brown
haired, brown eyed, the glow of health
upon her cheeks, her features denoting
a happy and good humored tempera-
ment.
you see, it really began through
reading a book; that's where 1 got the
idea from Stanford Vests novel it
was, a Question Of Diplomacy You
read it?'
Yes"
'.Then it will be all the easier for me
to explain. After all. it Is very simple.
1t only means putting two letters In
the wrong envelopes. They did that In
the book, you know"
so they did" Dennis replied. still
forgive me. but 1 don't quite follow
you"
Give me time I haven't explained
yet. OF course you understand Dennis,
that your uncle is in love with auntie."
We'll, I have often thought"
Thought You dear boyl A blind
man could see It. Now L shall never be
satisfied until she has accepted him,
and I want you to help me to bring
this about"
II shall be delighted"
Then the first thing for you to do
IS to propose to auntie.'
Good heavens, Effie:"
Now do be reasonable
'Reaaonable
"Oh, Dennis, I don't want you to
propose to auntie property I want
you to do it as Jack Vincent did it in
"A Question Of Diplomacy Don't you
he put a love letter in the
wrong envelope? Now you've got to do
the same. Seea you write to me as If
you were proposing to me, and you
write to auntie telling her of your in
This letter, however, comes to me and
the other goes to auntie.'
And after that?"
After that we must leave matters
In the hands of chance. OF course aun-
tie will be simply Mortified by your
letter, and she viii send for your I'M
Gle at once. She always sends tor him
when she is in a difficulty. That viii
be his opportunity, and If he allows it
to slip 1 shall have been mistaken in
him, that's all"
"Still-excuse- my want of compre-
hension-this letter 1 am to write.
Surely she will see that it is not IN
tended for her?"
"Ah, that is the only difficulty in
the schemel That letter will require
very careful composing If you don't
mind. Dennis, dear, 1 think I'd better
draft it, and then you can copy IT."
AS you please. must confess it is
beyond me-"
Well, girls, understand these things
better than men. Now you can do some
thing to help matters on this evening.
You must take auntie in to supper, and
you must make yourself as agreeable
rs possible, SO as to lend color to our
scheme. You understand"
''Um-I understandable es-but-"
Then be a good boy and take me
back"
Chapter III.
"oh. James, this is good of you in
Gertrude Ferrers, her charming face
pathetic with trouble, took her visit
'r's hand in her impulsiYe fashion.
you got my telegram, of course?"
she went on, as she led the way to the
sitting room.
Yes"
And you came at onceT" And she ia
7ored him with a look that more than
'epaid him for the Inconvenience he
lad sustained.
'I could hardly do otherwise he
a quiet smile showing about
he corners Of his clean shaver lips.
Your word is law with me, you know,
Gertrude trust it is nothing serious?''
Mrs Ferrers was still under go and, |
Is she was one of those little, fair
.omplexioned persons who seem to set |
ime at defiance, she still looked al |
most girlish. That weakness-which, !
n the eyes of a strong man is a de- |
lghtful quality in a woman-was suf- |
iciently pronounced in her case to |
ender her wholly adorable in Cars |
yes.
He was her senior by a dozen years
r more-a grave, self contained man,
is hair showing slightly gray. his /
manner betraying a certain touch Of /
ourtesy that people of today are apt |
D term old fashioned