Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-03-14
aunt. If l displeased my dancee pos

eyes of Miss Maryweather. l was
quite in my element. The girl was
pretty and attractive. and | confess
that. as play actors have it. l began tc
feel the part. ] talked a blue streak
with my tongue upon ordinary topics
meanwhile saying tender things with
my eyes. One trait in my character is
when l set out to do a thing to do ii
for all it is worth. 1 began by at.
tempting to make Singleton believe he
was in danger Of losing his girl and
ended with the best job of lovemaking
in the presence Of others that l have
ever accomplished.
What was going on at the table I
didn't know. My aunt's voice I seldom
heard; Phoebe's voice l did not hear
at all. Singleton was evidently keep
ing up the conversation.
What 1 did not know then I learned
afterward to my horror. Phoebe's eyes
We're upon me all the while, her ex-
preston growing every minute more
lowering. My aunt observed both
Phoebe and me. Singleton made fire.
quent efforts to hold Phoebe's atten-
ton and. failing, finally gave it up to
make random remarks to the hostess.
I held Miss Maryweather's attention
SO closely that she was only partially
aware Of the strained conditions exist
ing between the other three. AS the
dinner proceeded Phoebe's brows con-
FRO nfo1 mann or1 ronro. thu -, ~
her mouth were squared; her cheeks
were red, and her eyes flashed fire.
The worst of it was that I, ignorant of
the situation, was piling on fuel every
moment.
1t must have been a great relief to
Mr.. Singleton and possibly my aunt
when the dinner was finished and we
arose from the table. I cast a glance
at Phoebe. but at the moment she had
turned and l did not see her face. l
saw my aunt's and noticed that it was
impassive. When we reached the
drawing room Phoebe and Singleton
took a far corner. Phoebe sitting with
her back to me. Since I had become
interested in the work my aunt had
assigned me I continued to pursue it
for all it was worth. My aunt sug-
gested that I take Miss Maryweather
to see the plants in the conservatory,
and I did so. We remained there some
time, and when we returned I saw my
aunt chatting with Singleton. Phoebe
was nowhere to be 1 asked my
aunt what had become of her.
"She has gone home" was the reply.
1Gone homer
eyes. She said she had a headache
and telephoned for a carriage. She
told me to say to you that since you
were so pleasantly occupied she would
not disturb you"
l knew that a bomb had burst
which I had not heard. Miss Mary
weather said something to Singleton,
and, taking his arm, they walked away
together, leaving me with my aunt.
who told me what had occurred, fin
ishing with the following announce
ment:
""And now, John. 1 have something
to say to you. You know that I have
provided for you in my will. In fact,
I have left you the principal part Of
what 1 possess. 1 shall tomorrow add
a codicil that if you marry this girl to
whom you are engaged your share
is to go to Peter Hickson."
"Good gracious!"
II mean what I say"
I was prevented from any further
response by the return of Singleton
and Miss Maryweather. Singleton
said:
I'VE fear that we have been the in
nocent cause Of q misunderstanding.
Possibly it may tend to mend matters
If we make an announcement which
we had intended to defer till just be-
fore Miss M~aryweather's return home.
More than a week ago l proposed TO
her. She has just given me a favor
able reply, a response which she says
she intended to give from the first.
She hopes our engagement will dis
| sipate any hard feeling that has arisen
this evening"
II do hope. Mrs. Perkins," said Miss
Maryweather that If anything has oc.
Cured during the evening to displease
you you will pass it over and forget
it for my sake. You have been SC
kind to me and 1 have been made SC
happy that l can't bear to have it all
spoiled at the last moment"
My aunt's object having been accom-
plished, though her plan of it's accom-
plishment was both unnecessary and {
failure, she was much Modified. 1t re
manned to be seen how far her change
Of feeling would affect Phoebe. Fur
thermore it remained to be seen wheth
er I would be able to effect a reconcil
iation between Phoebe and myself.
Before going to sleep that night
thought u my plan Of procedure.
was still between two fires, my aun
and my fiancee. If I could not softe,
my aunt toward Phoebe I had bette
not soften Phoebe toward myself.
resolved to appear angry toward tn
latter till I could placate the former to
ward her. Miss Maryweather prove'
a blessing. She knew we'll all that ha,
occurred and at once learned from m.