The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-11-22
A PLAN For
A BREAK
II Led to Complications
and a Fiasco
BY JULIA d. EDMONDS

--t-ii-ii-i-i-t-f-i.t- ss-ft-t-i-i-i-t-t~i-.'
The autumn season when the tourist
hegira is southerly was opening, and
the resorts of the border states were
well stocked with guests. The rock
ing chair brigade-as those ladies who
daily occupy the porch of the Vieude-
leau hotel, each and all plying some
kind Of needle as an accompaniment
to their melodious gossiping voices
was in session. Two ladies sitting
somewhat apart from the rest were
engaged In earnest conversation In
low tone.
II sympathize with you, Mrs. Har
per-" said the one, but l don't see how
l can help you. My son is actively en-
gagged in business and can't be away
from it at this season more than few
days at time. Could he be here with
us, say, for a fortnight / would be
glad to lend him to you for the purpose
Of drawing your daughters attention
from this young Ruggles, who you
fear will win her. There is another
course l will suggest A young man
has just arrived who has entered his
name on the hotel register as Edward
Cation. Being the only young fellow
of prepossessing appearance (Ruggles
excepted) in the hotel, he will soon be
besieged by the girls. If you like |
will make his acquaintance introduce
him to your daughter telling him she
Is the belle of the place.. and she will
naturally be interested in taking him
away from the others. This will serve
to divert her mind from Ruggles and
make breach between them But
why do you object to Ruggles? He Is
said to have an income of $1,000"
my dear Mrs Crawford, what would
5000 a year be for Gwen?"
What you wish / presume is simply
to break off her affair with Ruggles,
that she may be free to marry for
tune"
Precisely. If you can accomplish
this break by introducing any one-no
matter who he isl win consider my
self under lasting obligation to you"
The same evening the introduction
was accomplished. Gwendolen Harper
and Edward Cation were introduced,
and before the guests left the dancing
hall in the evening Mrs. Crawford
said to Mrs. Harper
Did you ever see such remarkable
case of love at first sight?"
All the parties to this scheme were
pleased except Sam Ruggles, who went
o 10 the far end of the veranda and
Owled and smoked and smoked and
seowied, keeping by himself where he
could not see his rivals success lest he
should make a scene.
But on t. tt4fd day after the break
had been made effective, when Mr.
Rugflea was reading a northern news
paper, he saw something that thrilled
him 1t was an advertisement of Mrs
Edward l.. Cation for information con-
corning her husband, who had deserted
her and their three children. Ruggles
Immediately cut the ad. out of the news
paper that he alone of those at the no
tel might possess this information and
that he might consider plan by which
he could get the greatest satisfaction
out of it,
The same evening an anonymous let
ter went to the advertiser that gen
tleman had appeared at the Vieudeleau
hotel at - answering to the name
mentioned in the advertisement Rug
giles, who mailed the letter, could not
refrain from adding that the fellow
was evidently bent on committing big
amy"
From the time the discarded lover
saw the evidence that his rival was
sailing under false colors he changed
his bearing toward Miss Harper
Where before he had made his jeal-
ousy evident he now assumed an air of
superiority mingled with pity. Mr. |
Cation had become aware that his at
tentions to Miss Harper had made Mr..
Ruggles his enemy and had noticed the
antagonism of the latter's bearing to-
ward him whenever they met One
evening while Mr. Cation was dancing
with Miss Harper he unintentionally |
ran against Ruggles, who was also
dancing. The look Ruggles gave him
was ominous. Later, when both went |
out on the veranda for Whit Mt |
cigarette, Cation stepped up to Ruggles |
and apologized for running against him
in the dance.
One who is sailing under false col |
ors is beneath my notice for any in
WIT" was the reply.
How did you get onto that?" asked |
Cation with surprising imperturbability |
Il saw it in the newspapers
II wish the newspapers would let me
alone" was the only rejoinder, and |
Cation went back into the dancing hall, |
where Ruggles soon saw him whirling |
with Miss Harper.
Now, the only real attachment in this |
triangular affair was between Sam
Ruggles and Gwen Harper, and from
the time Ruggles began to assume that !
air of superiority Gwen began to be
troubled. She was too proud to call |
him back, but she looked as If she
would be willing to take him back IL |
he would apply for reinstatement. One
day when they met in the garden of
the hotel she remarked that II was |
pleasant day.
II think It will storm tomorrow or
next day." was the reply.
why, / see no indications of It,
Perhaps if you watch the incoming |
trains you'll see a thunder cloud com
ing"
you speak in riddles"